Pub Culture in Ireland

Pub culture, as it is termed, pervades Irish society, across all cultural divides. The term refers to the Irish habit of frequenting public houses (pubs) or bars. Traditional pub culture is concerned with more than just drinking, even though Ireland has a recognized problem with over-consumption of alcohol. In 2003, Ireland had the second-highest per capita alcohol consumption in the world, just below Luxembourg at 13.5 litres (per person 15 or more years old), according to the OECD Health Data 2009 survey. Typically pubs are important meeting places, where people can gather and meet their neighbours and friends in a relaxed atmosphere. Pubs vary widely according to the clientele they serve, and the area they are in. Best known, and loved amongst tourists is the traditional pub, with its traditional Irish music (or "trad music"), tavern-like warmness, and memorabilia filling it. Often such pubs will also serve food, particularly during the day. Many more modern pubs, not necessarily traditional, still emulate these pubs, only perhaps substituting traditional music for a DJ or non-traditional live music.

Many larger pubs in cities eschew such trappings entirely, opting for loud music, and focusing more on the consumption of drinks. Such venues are popular "pre-clubbing" locations. "Clubbing" has become a popular phenomenon amongst young people in Ireland during the celtic tiger years. Clubs usually vary in terms of the type of music played, and the target audience.

A significant recent change to pub culture in the Republic of Ireland has been the introduction of a smoking ban, in all workplaces, which includes pubs and restaurants. The ban was introduced on March 29, 2004. A majority of the population support the ban, including a significant percentage of smokers. Nevertheless, the atmosphere in pubs has changed greatly as a result, and debate continues on whether it has boosted or lowered sales, although this is often blamed on the ever-increasing prices, or whether it is a "good thing" or a "bad thing". A similar ban, under the Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 came into effect in Northern Ireland on 30 April 2007.

Australian Aboriginal Culture

Who are Aborigines?

Australian Aborigines

Aborigines are Indigenous Australians, the first known human inhabitants of the Australian continent and its nearby islands. Indigenous Australians are recognised by scientists to have arrived between 40,000 and 70,000 years ago, but Aboriginal history says that “we have been here since time began, we have come directly out of the Dreamtime of our creative ancestors”.

The Indigenous cultures of Australia are the oldest living cultural history in the world. One of the reasons to explain why Aboriginal cultures have survived for so long is their ability to adapt and change over time. Recent statistics calculated approximately 400,000 aboriginal people, making up about 2% of Australia's total population. A majority of them live on the mainland and most of the islands, including Tasmania, Fraser Island, Palm Island, Mornington Island, Groote Eylandt, Bathrust and Melville Islands.

All Australian Aborigines shared an intimate understanding of and relationship with the land. That relationship was the basis of their spiritual life and shaped the Aboriginal culture. To Aborigines, land is fundamental to their well-beings. The word "Dreamtime" refers to the time of the creation of all things, or the beginning of the world, while "Dreaming" is often used to refer to an individual's or group's set of beliefs or spirituality. For instance, an Indigenous Australian might talk about their Kangaroo Dreaming, Snake Dreaming, or Honey Ant Dreaming, or any combination of Dreamings pertinent to their 'land'.

 

Dreamtime painting by Norbett Lynch

The 'dreamtime' stories explain how the land was created by the journeys of the spirit ancestors. Those creation stories describing the contact and features which the spiritual ancestors left on the land are integral to Aboriginal spirituality. 'Ancestor Spirits' came to Earth in human and other forms and the land, the plants and animals were given their form as we know them today.  Aboriginal spirituality entails a close relationship between humans and environment. It is the intimate knowledge of the land, its creatures and plants that sits at the core of traditional Aboriginal culture.

"We don't own the land, the land owns us."

Totally different !

When I travel in Australia, I found that there is some different lifestyle or culture. In Malaysia, 6am in the morning, in this time, we are still sleeping, or some are just awake. But at the same time, in Australia, u can heard noise from the street. The street is starting a lot of people. Some are eating breakfast, some are readying to work and etc. I feel surprise. The citizens are so early moving around. The picture above is what I capture at about 6am in the early morning. For me, it’s like… wow… so unbelievable!

the other side of Melbourne's culture...

In every country, you will find some lifestyle culture in their market. In Melbourne, there is no exception too. Pick up fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood at the Queen Victoria Market on a Saturday, known for its bustling crowds and buskers. On Saturday, the hustle and bustle of the weekday Market gives way to a more relaxed and leisurely family day.