Which Sydneyite are you?

Eastie, is a derogatory term used in Sydney, Australia for a (generally but not exclusively) Anglo-Saxon and/or Jewish demographic of individuals, typically from a white collar or upper class background, who choose to reside in the city's generally more affluent eastern suburbs (cf. Westies (people)).

Commonly held beliefs relating to this group's behaviours, attitudes and dress sense are noted below.
Appearance

men: regularly overweight with professionally trimmed or fashionably cut hair (possibly of varying length in keeping with current trends), designer label suits, ties and soft leather (often slip-on) shoes. Often seen throughout Sydney's 'trendy areas' sporting designer (or manicured) stubble and large, black, brand name sunglasses.


See also: Fashion victim.

women: the 'money is no object' look is in. When it comes to the fashion of the East, the power suit continues to stamp its authority. Designer accessories such as Gucci handbags, uncomfortable (yet fashionable) shoes, and excessively large sunglasses are a must. The Britney Spears or 'Paris Hilton-esque', custom made 'doggy bag' (containing a miniature dog - often a Chihuahua or Shih Tzu) is also currently part of the look.

Age bracket

Easties are generally in their late teens to mid-thirties, are regular party-goers (especially those involving cocktails or wine), and are known to be users of social drugs such as alcohol, cocaine and ecstacy.

The stereotype
Drink of choice: Latte
Drug of choice: Cocaine
Vehicle of choice: Anything German, preferably a BMW or Mercedes. May own a second Australian built car.
Real estate: Anything with water views
Children: 1 or 2, elite private schooling only
Limitations: Gets lost west of Sydney University and south of Coogee.


Temperament: Ill-natured, grumpy, impolite, elitist, greedy
Religion: Generally, but not exclusively Christian or possibly Jewish
Sport: Rugby Union
Daily activities:
Women: Tennis, golf, bridge, luncheons, brunches, shopping
Men: Work, golf, talking loudly into mobile phones in public places or on public transport
Driving Habit: There is no one else in the universe
Where you'll find them


Easties are also said to be fond of:

Expensive eastern suburban restaurants or bars including Bondi's, Ravisi's and Icebergs
The Autumn and Spring horse racing carnivals (in the members area only)
Double Bay, Vaucluse or Rose Bay cafes
Exclusive or newly opened King's Cross night clubs
Shopping in Paddington's Oxford Street or the Bondi Junction Westfield
Bronte Beach, Bondi Beach, Coogee Beach, Tamarama Beach
The preconceptions and stereotypes noted above are generally held by those of Sydney's western suburbs (Westies) who choose to deride them, a role Easties stereotypically revel in, who are of the belief that such behaviour is snobbish and/or elitist. See also: Tall Poppy Syndrome, Class conflict.

Sources of perceived differences and tension
These include:
Easties have access to superior social and cultural facilities
Easties have access to the bulk of political and economic power, leaving those in the Western Suburbs bereft either by ignorance or out of malice
Easties have better access to employment and higher education
Easties that participate in business have better access to the international investment that by default comes to the Eastern Suburbs, leaving those in the Western Suburbs with far less access to investment
Easties play up for and get better facilities and infrastructure due to their political and economic advantage
Easties get by virtual birthright access to land with water views and higher land prices as a result
Easties hoard their wealth to the detriment of the economy of Sydney, preventing those in the Western Suburbs from attaining wealth
The colloquial term Westie (also spelt Westy) is used in Australian and New Zealand English to describe residents of a city's western suburbs.

Origin of the term

The term originated, and is most often used, in relation to residents of the numerous western suburbs of Sydney, Australia, and of Auckland, New Zealand. In other cities of Australia (such as Canberra and Brisbane). In New Zealand the term is largely confined to Auckland. Residents of suburbs such as Blacktown, and Mt Druitt in Sydney and Waitakere in Auckland are westies.

Sydney, Australia

In Sydney, westies have taken their name from Sydney's western suburbs, a region of suburbs in which the cost of living is generally considered to be less than that of Sydney's more easterly and inner-city suburbs. The former are also known to suffer from higher crime rates, and lower levels of professional employment, however they are home to increasing number of small businesses.

The westie stereotype is perceived by some as being in a state of transition, as Sydney is one of the most expensive places in the world to live. A lot of young families are moving out to the western suburbs due to cheap house prices and new towns that are being built on what was formerly farm land on the outskirts of Sydney.

However, tangible tensions and differences still thrive, which has lead to a backlash by some, especially by those who do not appreciate being called westies.

Terms pertaining to the westie stereotype

Westies are generally stereotyped as being a certain type of person. This type of person is characterised as being unintelligent, undereducated, unmotivated, unrefined, lacking in fashion sense, working-class or umemployed, etc.