In Papua New Guinea, men hold hands as a sign of friendship
Why do Australians seem to think they're the only culture that understands and values "mateship"?
This notion has been continually thrown around my Australian studies classes, as if it were invented by Australians.
Mateship is simply a term used to describe a concept that is just as strong in other cultures, just called by another name.
Platonic friendship and comradeship between men is not exclusively an Australian value, by any means.
In fact, compared to other cultures, Australian men tend to be very reserved in their friendships.
Let's not become so isolationist in our values and realise that they're universal.