Kate Hackett
Now that travel is open again, it’s time to start planning your next trip! And may I suggest the beautiful Land Down Under? It’s huge, it’s got crazy flora and fauna, and it’s bound to be a unique experience.
Of course, while you’re there, don’t forget that things are not the same as they are in America. u/shrekcu is here to help with a recent Reddit thread in which they asked, “What are some things a foreigner or immigrant would find strange or not know about Australia?”
1. Okay, I think we know this one.
“If you are invited to a party or BBQ and are asked to ‘bring a plate’ it means bring some kind of food to share.” —u/Aussiechimp
2. Never take nothing
“And when they say not to bring anything, reduce the size and formality of what you take, but never take nothing. The minimum would be a little box of lollies or maybe a four pack of some sort of drinks (doesn’t have to be alcoholic these days).” —u/24Vindustrialdildo
3. Greetings
“We use ‘How’s it going?’ or ‘How’re you going?’ as a greeting. I’ve heard that’s weird to some people because they think ‘How’s what going…and going where? Huh?’ The question doesn’t really need a detailed answer either, at least not in a work context or casual context.” “Like, if the barista you’re getting your coffee from asks ‘How’s it going?’, just say ‘Alright, you?’ Don’t give them your life story. It’s different if it’s a close friend asking though.” —u/jessrainbow7777
4. Tea is a meal
“A lot of older people called dinner ‘tea’ — so if someone asks you over for tea, they mean a full meal.” —u/Aussiechimp
5. Always coffee
“If they’re inviting you for a hot beverage, it’s ‘coffee’ — regardless of what you actually drink.” —u/pixelboots
“Or ‘a cuppa’ (of tea/coffee/whatever).” —u/RuncibleMountainWren
6. Mostly urban
“The biggest one is that we’re overall a very urban population.” —u/LubeMobile69
7. Lunacy!
“We walk on the left. Stand to the left of escalators.” —u/Touchwood
8. Multi-cultural
“That Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world. I think because of poor media representation, Australia is depicted as an overly white place when that’s really only the reality in small towns. Even in small towns, I always seem to find at least one Chinese family running a Chinese takeout.” —u/bloodofchrist
9. Not a question
“Australians seem to naturally add inflection to the end of sentences. We’re not asking you a question, that’s just how we talk.” —u/4L3X95
10. Front door
“Don’t get on a bus using the back door. I got yelled at my first week in Australia by the bus driver for that…even though I tapped on. I don’t get it, but whatever, I only enter from the front door now!” —u/expatica
11. No bragging
“We generally look down on boasting. That cheery, self-aggrandising cataloging of one’s achievements and abilities that’s meant to underline how great one is, which is encouraged in American society under the banner of ‘self confidence’, is usually perceived here as ‘bragging’.
“In general, it has the opposite effect from that intended by the bragger. We roll our eyes and our opinion of them goes down, not up.” —u/billbotbillbot
12. Informal
“We are a very informal nation. Almost everyone is addressed by their first name, even some teachers.” —u/Aussie_Mo_Bro
13. F shoes!
“It’s not that unusual to see someone walking around in public spaces such as a shopping centre or city streets barefoot.” —u/bmquietachiever
14. Nicknames for all
“We give everybody nicknames. Few people get called by their actual given name. If someone gives you a nickname, it probably means they like you” —u/ColdCamel7
15. Confusing? Perhaps.
“‘Yeah nah’ = no and ‘Nah yeah’ = yes.” —u/schottgun93
16. Holidays
“The fact that we’re hardly a religious nation, yet we get Good Friday and Easter Monday as public holidays. My in-laws are Catholic Americans and think this is so absurd due to the USA being far more religious — and they don’t get either as a holiday.” —u/hnj90
17. But what?
Australians sometimes say ‘but’ to end a sentence and will be confused if you ask ‘but what?'” —u/rapidbutter69
18. God bless.
“We don’t really do tipping much, because we have labour laws that make sure people are paid properly by their employers.” —u/TinosCallingMeOver
19. Be polite!
“Making small talk with the person at the register of a supermarket or shop is common and considered polite. Just keep it light and finish when they’re finished scanning or bagging.” —u/starrydreampuff
20. Oh, this would get me.
“An entrée is a starter, not a main course.” —u/notwhelmed
21. FLAGS.
“We don’t do patriotism like America. That level of flag-waving is deeply unsettling.” —u/brezhnervous
