There are many things that you can point out about people from regional Australia. Many of them are about being hokey and pokey and other words that you never get to use because they seem slightly outdated, derogatory, and never quite work in other contexts. Irksome is such a word. As is scrunchie-wielding redneck bogan.

While it is always fun to make these observations (and I may make them later), I would like to draw your attention to what seems to be a hokey and pokey and bitsy country tick. It's trivial and quaint, yes, but not funny. Only annoying.

Example:
Leesha (names have been changed) meets Betty Sue in the tinned goods section of the supermarket. Betty Sue reaches across Leesha to get tinned tobacco from shelf.``Sorry,'' says Leesha.
Nothing, says BS.

Leesha buys an apple at a fruit store and only has a $20 dollar note.``Sorry about the note,'' says Leesha.
Nothing, says the Fruitperson, Betty May.

Someone attacks Leesha in the street, all 'appearances' of `accident, not looking.'
Sorry, concedes countryperson. Finally. After much screaming by (semi-conscious, bleeding etcetc) Leesha.
"THAT's OKAY," says Leesha.

Us city slickers may live hectic lives and never appreciate the good things, like a home-baked apple pie or a first cousin, but we still find time for insincere social niceties. And to comb our hair.

WHAT'S WITH THAT REGIONAL AUSTRALIA?