An American beauty influencer has found himself at the centre of a transcultural storm during his holiday on Australia's Gold Coast, after his review of a beloved national institution sparked playful fury across the country.
The Infamous Bunnings Visit
James Charles, visiting the famous Burleigh Bunnings store after fans insisted he try the iconic charity BBQ, documented his first encounter with the sausage sizzle. Every weekend, community groups set up these barbecues outside Bunnings hardware stores, serving sausages on white bread with onion and tomato sauce to raise money for schools, sports clubs, and local charities.
In his video, Charles expressed confusion about the setup, stating he was 'literally so confused' to see 'just a little green tent' in the car park. 'I don't understand why they're selling sausages at a hardware store,' he added, clearly unfamiliar with this quintessential Australian tradition.
The Moment That Broke Australia
After ordering six sausage sandwiches with onions and a Coca-Cola for $25, Charles generously rounded his payment up to $100 as a donation to the charity running the stall. However, his subsequent review triggered nationwide outrage.
'This is a sausage sizzle? It's just a hotdog,' Charles declared after holding his first-ever Bunnings snag. He prepared it American-style, adding ketchup and mustard rather than the traditional tomato sauce, before taking a substantial bite.
While he ultimately praised the snack, calling it 'pretty good' and rating it 'ten out of ten', he criticised the bread thickness, stating he needed 'more bread-to-sausage sizzle ratio'.
Aussie Backlash and Cultural Defence
The comments section on social media exploded with patriotic rage and humorous fury as Australians rushed to defend their cultural treasure.
'It's just a hotdog? Show some respect to our national dish,' one fan wrote passionately. Another commented: 'Me screaming in my living room... "It's not a hotdog!"'
The distinction between tomato sauce and ketchup became another point of contention, with one Aussie joking: 'How dare you call it a hotdog? And tomato sauce and ketchup are so different - stop disrespecting our culture.'
Despite the uproar, many Australians appreciated Charles' generous donation and his overall enjoyment of the snack, even if he used the wrong terminology. 'Thank you for embracing our culture,' one supporter wrote, while another added: 'Do not underestimate the Bunnings snags - I love them.'
The incident highlights how deeply embedded the Bunnings sausage sizzle is in Australian cultural identity, serving as both a fundraising staple and a weekly ritual that many consider practically sacred.
