Australia
What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Australia?
We asked people in Australia if they could share any humorous cultural blunders they commited. For new expats, keep in mind that these incidents are an inevitable part of expat life. Learning to laugh about them is the key!...
"Yeah...it's not bathroom it's dunny or toilet if out and about. Don't ask for a napkin or spaghetti with sauce..you'll get ketchup on your noodles. Always read the menu before ordering..a hamburger in the states has a little less on it then a hamburger in Australia...Beet root and fried egg are good..but not on a hamburger. Don't ask the Aussies why they have a Union jack on their flag. Don't mention the fact that the amount of flies in the air and the onse attacking your eyes, mouth, nose and ears in droves reminds you of hanging out at the back of a meat processing plant where they dump the body parts in an open trash can...er bin. Get used to not picking money up off the ground unless you yourself dropped it, otherwise God only knows where it has been and what it's landed in when it dropped," mentioned another expat when asked about moving to Alice Springs, Australia.
"It is important to respect Australia's cultural diversity. Respect Indigenous Australian culture by understanding the Stolen Generations, the history of land dispossession and the effects of colonisation. Avoid using condescending language such as 'mates' or 'g'day' to All Australians, as this might be perceived as patronising. Refrain from commenting on the accents of Australians. Similarly, respect social and cultural boundaries, such as only entering someone's home after being invited, and respecting the personal space of others. Finally, trying 'Australian' delicacies, such as Vegemite, kangaroo and emu, can be a great way to experience the culture," commented one expat who made the move to Australia.
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Other Questions:
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What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Australia?
If you live in Australia, newcomers to Australia would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
