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The Humble Bogan
So, as a helpful guide to understanding the multifaceted creature known as "Bogan" to our non-Australian friends, I'm doing a little write up. Here goes.
Part 1: The Habitat and Visual Identification of the Greater Western Bogan
What is the Bogan? The Bogan is a complex and multifaceted creature endemic to just about every suburb in Australia. Today, we will be focusing on the antics of the Greater Western Bogan. Fireheart may or may not confirm the theory that this species is the same as its counterparts elsewhere in the country.
Although often compared to the American Redneck, or the Chavs of the UK, the Bogan in fact differs to its American and European cousins. The Redneck is usually a rurally dwelling species, or at least has rural ties/affectations, and the Chav is an urban creature. The Bogan is an suburban creature, feeling the need to have closer access to more pubs and taverns than a country town may provide, but still far enough from the city that they can evade overt police presence in their lives. The Bogan will still act as though they live on an isolated country property at home however, which may cause disruption to the lives of neighbors, who feel that a quarter acre property is not nearly enough space for the Bogans noisy antics.
All Bogans, regardless of subspecies, are ethnically white humans who sport a tan so dark that nearly 70% of their body will probably have skin cancer issues later in life. After this factor however, Bogan appearance can be used to classify each individual into four general subspecies.
The typical classic/older male Bogan is easily identified. Sporting a mullet, flannel shirts (known to the Bogan as Flannos) or Bintang/wifebeater singlets, his upper body is usually concealing a packet of cigarettes known as Winfield "Winnie" Blues. His pants (often shorts or badly torn jeans) carry lighters, spare change and possibly a baggie of weed. His shoes, should he choose to wear shoes, are usually flipflops or some form of workboot. He is usually refered to by his friends as a shortened version of his actual name, suck as Bazza, Daz, or Mick. An older male Bogan will probably not have more than one or two syllables in his chosen moniker, as that would make it harder for other Bogans to yell things at him when drunk.
The typical classic/older female Bogan dresses similarly to the male, although can be more often found in pyjama pants than her male counterpart. Her large perm and loud voice can make even the smallest of her kind seem much larger than she actually is. Her face seems worn and slightly leathery, and she often looks older than she actually is. She doesn't often wear shoes, but when she does, they are likely to be ugg-boots, or 'uggies.' Females of this sub-species, unlike the males, often have or use names that have at least two syllables. Examples such as Sheila, Darlene and Shazza are commonplace. Like the male, she often carries Winfield Blues and can usually be found with him out the front of her domicile smoking.
The contemporary/young male Bogan has, in most cases, done away with the dress styles of his forebears, and instead can be identified by his Billabong brand board-shorts, tattoos of the Southern Cross and Fighting Kangaroo, and near religious belief that wearing a t-shirt in public is for lesser men than himself. Hairstyles have changed here as well, as the younger Bogan is more a fan of rat-tails and whatever haircut the local Italian-Australian lads were sporting six months ago. These days the young male tends not to smoke, preferring to 'vape,' or at least attend dubiously ethnic restaurants to partake in Shisha.
The contemporary/young female bogan has done away with the eighties inspired look of her mothers day, and prefers to simply bleach her hair and grow it out as long as possible, leaving omnipresent dark roots behind. In some cases, her dark tan may in fact be fake. She often sports fashionable sunglasses and dresses in anything from dingy worn out denim jeans and t-shirts to mid-riff tops and shorty shorts. In this manner, this subspecies is much harder to identify visually than her three other relatives. Shoe wise, she deviates from the norm in some respects, as the young female often prefers gaudy, brightly coloured sandals and complicated looking boots. Ugg-boots may also be worn, but they must be more attractive than the plain brown footwear of their matriarchs. She usually also smokes, but may prefer "classier" cigarettes, usually anything slim, and can be found doing so at any pub with an outdoor area.
It should be noted that visual identification of a Bogan subspecies can become difficult with the Contemporary branch. Unlike their older peers, some can effortlessly blend in with the other subcultures inhabiting their surroundings. In part two, we look at the Bogan behavioral guide for further ways to identify a Bogan. Stay tuned!
Part 1: The Habitat and Visual Identification of the Greater Western Bogan
What is the Bogan? The Bogan is a complex and multifaceted creature endemic to just about every suburb in Australia. Today, we will be focusing on the antics of the Greater Western Bogan. Fireheart may or may not confirm the theory that this species is the same as its counterparts elsewhere in the country.
Although often compared to the American Redneck, or the Chavs of the UK, the Bogan in fact differs to its American and European cousins. The Redneck is usually a rurally dwelling species, or at least has rural ties/affectations, and the Chav is an urban creature. The Bogan is an suburban creature, feeling the need to have closer access to more pubs and taverns than a country town may provide, but still far enough from the city that they can evade overt police presence in their lives. The Bogan will still act as though they live on an isolated country property at home however, which may cause disruption to the lives of neighbors, who feel that a quarter acre property is not nearly enough space for the Bogans noisy antics.
All Bogans, regardless of subspecies, are ethnically white humans who sport a tan so dark that nearly 70% of their body will probably have skin cancer issues later in life. After this factor however, Bogan appearance can be used to classify each individual into four general subspecies.
The typical classic/older male Bogan is easily identified. Sporting a mullet, flannel shirts (known to the Bogan as Flannos) or Bintang/wifebeater singlets, his upper body is usually concealing a packet of cigarettes known as Winfield "Winnie" Blues. His pants (often shorts or badly torn jeans) carry lighters, spare change and possibly a baggie of weed. His shoes, should he choose to wear shoes, are usually flipflops or some form of workboot. He is usually refered to by his friends as a shortened version of his actual name, suck as Bazza, Daz, or Mick. An older male Bogan will probably not have more than one or two syllables in his chosen moniker, as that would make it harder for other Bogans to yell things at him when drunk.
The typical classic/older female Bogan dresses similarly to the male, although can be more often found in pyjama pants than her male counterpart. Her large perm and loud voice can make even the smallest of her kind seem much larger than she actually is. Her face seems worn and slightly leathery, and she often looks older than she actually is. She doesn't often wear shoes, but when she does, they are likely to be ugg-boots, or 'uggies.' Females of this sub-species, unlike the males, often have or use names that have at least two syllables. Examples such as Sheila, Darlene and Shazza are commonplace. Like the male, she often carries Winfield Blues and can usually be found with him out the front of her domicile smoking.
The contemporary/young male Bogan has, in most cases, done away with the dress styles of his forebears, and instead can be identified by his Billabong brand board-shorts, tattoos of the Southern Cross and Fighting Kangaroo, and near religious belief that wearing a t-shirt in public is for lesser men than himself. Hairstyles have changed here as well, as the younger Bogan is more a fan of rat-tails and whatever haircut the local Italian-Australian lads were sporting six months ago. These days the young male tends not to smoke, preferring to 'vape,' or at least attend dubiously ethnic restaurants to partake in Shisha.
The contemporary/young female bogan has done away with the eighties inspired look of her mothers day, and prefers to simply bleach her hair and grow it out as long as possible, leaving omnipresent dark roots behind. In some cases, her dark tan may in fact be fake. She often sports fashionable sunglasses and dresses in anything from dingy worn out denim jeans and t-shirts to mid-riff tops and shorty shorts. In this manner, this subspecies is much harder to identify visually than her three other relatives. Shoe wise, she deviates from the norm in some respects, as the young female often prefers gaudy, brightly coloured sandals and complicated looking boots. Ugg-boots may also be worn, but they must be more attractive than the plain brown footwear of their matriarchs. She usually also smokes, but may prefer "classier" cigarettes, usually anything slim, and can be found doing so at any pub with an outdoor area.
It should be noted that visual identification of a Bogan subspecies can become difficult with the Contemporary branch. Unlike their older peers, some can effortlessly blend in with the other subcultures inhabiting their surroundings. In part two, we look at the Bogan behavioral guide for further ways to identify a Bogan. Stay tuned!
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