A syndicated opinion piece by the same author, published by outlets including The Age, the Sydney Morning Herald and the Brisbane Times, argues that the writer no longer tells people they are from Victoria when interacting outside the state. The article says that when the writer crosses the border or shares their origin, they regularly encounter mockery, teasing, and reactions described as “pity” and “puzzled anger.” Across the publications, the central claim is that the response to identifying as Victorian is often negative enough that the author chooses not to mention it. The piece frames this as an ongoing social dynamic rather than a single incident, suggesting the behaviour is predictable and recurring. The author’s message is personal and focused on day-to-day encounters, presenting the experience as part of the “deal” of leaving Victoria and engaging with people elsewhere. While the commentary highlights how the writer feels about the reactions they receive, the articles do not introduce specific events, figures, or new policy information; they concentrate on the writer’s perspective and interpretation of interstate banter.