Bogan

Every culture has one class of citizen that are derided and subject to sensationalist paper headlines, the group of society that everyone would rather didn’t have as neighbours. For the English it’s Chavs, for the Irish it’s Pikeys and Chinese people really do not like pig farmers. In Australia they have a sub-social sect called the Bogan.

What is a Bogan I hear you cry? Well this is the Aussie equivalent of the American Redneck. Bogans are working class people from the sticks, although the term originated in Melbourne, it is used to describe the backwards cousin loving folks who inhabit the outback. They are generally regarded as being stupid, lazy and essentially uncultured, this by a country who voted the Meat Pie as it’s national dish!

The bogan bloke is atypically Aussie, drinking beer round a BBQ followed by watching footy (AFL) or cricket before going to bed for a root (please don’t ask) and sleep. In his yard (no gardens in this world) he keeps a collection of rusted car engines and various whitegoods in states of disrepair, he probably keeps a hunting rifle in the back of his ute. For bogan girls, just think Essex girl with foul mouth and fouler temper, usually pushing round a child buggy containing more passengers than it was designed for.

Bogans are typified by certain credentials such as acid washed jeans, flannel shirts, mullet hairstyles and a love of 80’s hair rock. The term was made popular in the suburbs of Melbourne by metal fans who called themselves bogans, probably to differentiate themselves from wimpy rockers/U2 fans. However the term has changed in meaning over the years. Now there is a sub-culture of people who are glad to be bogan, the term has a certain charm around it and as this video shows they can be the source of such great fun:



Now I was introduced to the whole Bogan phenomenon when we decided to partake in the local pub’s bogan bingo. It’s bingo, with bogans. Two guys dress as bogans and read out a selection of numbers which are marked off on playing forms, called cards. This sounds like normal bingo I hear, played by old people in homes, people with old balls and greying wrinkled cards. Well yes it is actually, and how do Bogans change the game. Basically they introduce really crappy prizes, so bad in fact that when offered the chance of swapping said price (old car freshener anyone) people inevitably decide to swap their winnings for the offered free drink. The hosts are constantly offering jokes and playing a selection of music from the 80’s, all rock played by bands with really big hair. Bon Jovi (in the hair days – no new stuff), motley crue and def leopard all feature. At half time they have an air guitar competition, three girls randomly picked to simulate a sex act with an inflatable guitar, well that’s what won it anyway. The overall result is quite an enjoyable night out although one that should be treated as a one off. I would seriously be worried should I want to make the event a weekly item on my busy schedule.

Bogans are renowned for driving clapped out old commodore’s or ford falcon’s and basically being mad drivers (hoons). They are inevitably on welfare and spend their time drinking beers all day and watching sport. I guess bogan women must all work or produce many more bogans. If anyone has seen the comedy program called “Kath & Kim” then I can say that this is the latest incarnation of Bogan, moneyed bogans. Bogans who for some reason or other (inheritance, lottery, fraud) have become well off and have decided to move into the suburbs and live with the normal populace, These new Aussies are still essentially bogans, stupid, uncultured and ultimately looked down upon although they can afford the nice things in life, like low carb beer and non carbolic washing soaps.

Although when I really think about it I quite admire the lifestyle perpetuated by the Bogan culture. Sitting around watching sport, drinking beer and listening to bad American rock music whilst waiting for the next welfare check to arrive so I can spend it on more beer. No pressure to go to work and most of all, no worries.

Now I wonder if I brought any flannel shirts with me?