Welcome to General Chat - GAW Community Area
This General Chat area started off as a place for people to talk about things that are off topic, however it has quickly evolved into a community and has become an intergral part of the GAW experience for many of us.
Based on it's evolving needs and plenty of user feedback, we are trying to bring some order and institute some rules. Please make sure you read these rules and participate in the spirit of this community.
Rules for General Chat
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Be respectful to each other. This is of utmost importance, and comments may be removed if deemed not respectful.
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Avoid long drawn out arguments. This should be a place to relax, not to waste your time needlessly.
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Personal anecdotes, puzzles, cute pics/clips - everything welcome
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Please do not spam at the top level. If you have a lot to post each day, try and post them all together in one top level comment
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Try keep things light. If you are bringing in deep stuff, try not to go overboard.
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Things that are clearly on-topic for this board should be posted as a separate post and not here (except if you are new and still getting the feel of this place)
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If you find people violating these rules, deport them rather than start a argument here.
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Feel free to give feedback as these rules are expected to keep evoloving
In short, imagine this thread to be a local community hall where we all gather and chat daily. Please be respectful to others in the same way
<ahem>
In the Great Southern Land of the Holy Spirit (Terra Australis), "pie" pretty much means one thing and one thing only.
Meat pies are one of our national dishes. Generally eaten at footy games (in the winter), other sporting events, and on the go.
The American concept of pie doesn't really exist here, except in the form of an "apple pie", which is understood to be a desert. All those other forms of pie are decidedly uncommon. Oh, you could find some of them, but they are not a core part of our cuisine culture by any means. The idea of "pumpkin pie" just seems bizarre.
Our pies descend from the British tradition. It is a meal in itself, self-contained. A sort of meaty stew contained in a shell of flakey pastry, which keeps it dry on the outside and makes it possible to eat this with one hand, or without a plate or other utensils.
"The Great Australian Pie" is an understood trope. We most commonly eat them with "tomato sauce" which is an Australian version of what some would call "ketchup".
Like certain other concepts, "pie" thus has a very different meaning and locus within the Australia lexicon, as compared to the US variety of 'English'.
While the meat pie is perhaps one of our most ubiquitous 'fast foods', it is notably NOT borrowed from American fast food culture (as many if not most of our other 'fast foods' are (sadly, cos they are crap)). Other Australian 'fast foods' include "fish and chips" and attenuated varieties, such as dim sims, spring rolls, potato cakes, etc.
A good handmade pie is actually good food, fit for the quick main meal.
And now you know. So if you ever visit down under, you should definitely avail yourself of this culinary experience. But certainly, in all other locations (nations) avoid it at all costs, unless, possibly, you are in the UK.
</ahem>