The Back Story

November 6, 2012

The Melbourne Cup


Melbourne Cup spirit at Maia's school
 Ever wondered about the difference between on the wag, chucking a sickie, or being crook?
one of the live sites in downtown Brisbane
 

Probably not, considering most people don’t need three different phrases to describe the fact they’re not at work… Being crook means you’re actually sick, though many Australians push on and head to work whilst crook—not wanting to waste a perfectly good day off. Chucking a sickie means calling in sick, when you’re not. And being on the wag is what you do on Melbourne Cup day—it’s the moment you leave your desk to go to the washroom, change into a new dress and hat and sneak out the door—hoping your boss and co-workers never notice you left. Which in all likelihood they won’t—because they too are off changing their clothes and sneaking out doors.
watching the race
 The Melbourne Cup is a horse race—in its 152nd running, it’s also a nationwide excuse to start partying at 11am and collectively drop $150 million at betting stations that are conveniently found just about everywhere, including street corners. Maia was the only person in our family to lay a bet (ah, yes the Ozzie school system…) though her horse didn’t fare so well and placed twelfth. Her teacher did better in the staff betting pool—and came away with the prize money and a bottle of wine.
street corner betting station
 It’s called “The Race the Stops the Nation”. And it truly is. There were several live sites in the downtown area where the booze was flowing and people were dressed to the nines.

The race may just characterise Australia better than any other event. Skipping work to bet to excess on a sport many know little about (though this gambling excess fits in with the fact Australians are the world’s heaviest gamblers, by a hefty margin) and then drinking to excess—all without apology or a worry.

2 comments:

  1. Yes it is a uniquely Australian day, the real gamblers will "bet on 2 flies crawling up the wall" without any help from the Melbourne Cup, most of us just place a bet or participate in a sweep, on that one day a year.
    It is all just a bit of fun and excitement for a few hours once a year and an excuse to "Frock Up" and look glamorous.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes it is a uniquely Australian day, the real gamblers will "bet on 2 flies crawling up the wall" without any help from the Melbourne Cup, most of us just place a bet or participate in a sweep, on that one day a year.
    It is all just a bit of fun and excitement for a few hours once a year and an excuse to "Frock Up" and look glamorous.

    ReplyDelete