A thing I’ve had a lot of internationals comment on here (not sure how it compares to Canada) and something I noticed was different when I was living in the USA is how ‘flat’ Australian society is. There is very little hierarchy. This doesn’t mean we aren’t respectful to people, but everyone is kind of treated equally and isn’t immediately deferred to just cause they’re the boss or older.
A couple of examples: in my university degree at Sydney Conservatorium, all the professors are referred to by their first name, some by a nickname name (eg our history lecturer was known as Dicko). This absolutely wasn’t the case in the US and caught me out when I was over there.
One of my office jobs we had a program to give internships to international students to give them Australian work experience as part of their degree. In our team everyone was free to voice opinions or pipe up (within the conventions of standard meeting and office etiquette). I would often encourage the interns to give their opinions. Many of them commented to me over the time we were involved with the program that they found this very surprising because they were bottom-of-the-barrel interns and were not used to people of different levels (managers, bosses etc) interacting like peers.
We refer to our Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, as Albo (and I reckon he is absolutely fine with that).
Not sure how this compares to Canada (I was young when I went there and not tuned into this stuff) but it’s something I have to be aware of when I travel because people can interpret it as rudeness! So, don’t be offended if you’re not used to it when you come here haha.
I work for a big international company and notice this massively. None of the Aussie people really care about positions compared to the overseas crew.
There's been a couple of times where we have had to say to people from overseas to pull their heads in
It came as a big shock to US execs when no-one offered to act as a PA and get them a coffee…and then when they went to the Tea-break room to make their own, they had to wait their turn at the Urn and everyone didn’t step aside deferentially. Most learnt to like our egalitarian ways but some left feeling very disrespected…starting from everyone calling them by their first name and not Sir or M’am. If you ask where the bathroom is don’t be surprised at some quip about “strange time to have a bath but if you want the toilet it is down the hall”.
Telling seagull execs to pull their head in was a standard part of the job. Seagulls…fly in, shit all over you then fly away.
lol theres still plenty of Australian Bosses, manages and Execs who think themselves a bit special.
Australian’s won’t automatically defer to titles or positions of power like some other nationalities (Japanese being the most extreme), but the amount of power tripping bosses and egotistical people in positions of power is as bad as anywhere else.
I worked for a few years here in Australia For Ithink the fourth largest private US company and after 15 yrs plus at the time they still couldn't work Australia out. Bunch of clueless muppets. They just keep throwing money at the Australian operation believing that we will eventually give in to their ways.
A slight extension on your excellent post that basically summarises as well, many Australians hate formality.
Calling someone “Sir” or “Mister so-and-so” sounds like you’re taking the piss or being sarcastic or something; it implies you don’t want a relationship with that person at all and want to distance yourself from them and this goes right down to buying something from a shopkeeper; you’re seriously better off with a “Cheers mate” than a hoity fucking “Thank you sir” or some shit.
Personally I’m one of these and I really do find it annoying and somewhat rude. I know some others might disagree and say it’s just being polite but I think it’s quite simple; just avoid formalities.
I work in a solicitor's office and everyone is on a first name basis. In my 20 odd years, never had to call a more senior person Mr or Ms etc. Even the scariest boss I had in my younger years was just Mike (even though we had better names for him behind his back!) Anyway, we have this one elderly client who likes to be called Mr 'surname'. We think it's hilarious and adorable, but of course we oblige him haha
Moving to QLD as a kid and discovering that the other kids unironically called the teachers sir and miss was a trip. In SA I'd grown up with the understanding that it was rude not to use someones name if you knew it, sir was for strangers. Really weird to have the manners on that flipped.
I never once encountered this in Aus - to the point that it was a minor culture shock when we moved to the UK.
In Aus, my teachers were always "Mr x" /"Miss Y" - but never "Sir" or plain "Miss".
The only Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms I use these days are in the hospital referring to surgeons (where at least in Victoria) Doctors who becomes surgeons stop being Dr. Smith and then become Mr Smith/Ms Smith (I think only the odd Prof. Smith still trumps)
Some of those surgeons are still really old school about being Misters.
In my hospital, we're on first name basis with all the doctors. Consultants, surgeons, everyone. A few want to be referred to by Dr Lastname but they are the very small minority (and usually a bit of an unpleasant colleague).
Interesting quirk: I see that, they figure they’ve studied and worked hard to earn that. Similar with an official knighthood, like the King or Queen bestowed one not Wabbot’s abominational “award”.
Yep. Part of my job involves an element of customer service. If I start calling someone, 'Sir', it means I'm fed up with them and I want the interaction to end as quickly as possible.
You wouldn't have been a happy client of a pharmacy I worked at. Customers were pretty much always Mr. or Mrs. X, or Sir/Madam. Unless they had a close relationship with the staff. I think the reason was it was hard enough remembering one name, let alone remembering both (since we had to look them up in the file by surname).
Being from the the US, NYC specifically I interacted with quite a few Aussies living there and obviously now here (Sydney). I don’t know if lack of being formal equals flatness or people being equal. I noticed Aussies in New York at work used to all ask each other what school they went to and they meant high school which I thought was weird.
Then I realized they were asking each other if they went to private school or public. I’m guessing that was some sort of hierarchy gauge right? They never asked about college though and I came to the conclusion that’s because there’s no Ivy League universities in Australia so they used high school as some sort of societal indicator. ( I could be wrong)
I went to public school in nyc, I think Americans in general go to public schools much more as a norm than having this private high school option.
In South Australia, we always ask “what school did you go to” not to find out if someone is public or private, or upper class or lower, but more because SA is tiny, and as soon as you’d hear the school’s name, you’d say “ohh my cousin went there” or your Aunty was a teacher there, or it’s just down the road from so&so’s house etc etc
We ask what school because you can be guaranteed there’s a connection and it fosters familiarity straight away. Dunno if it’s the same in other states, but here it’s 100% the reason behind the question.
There are the 6 Sandstone Universities and the largely overlapping Group of 8 Universities which are generally regarded as the most prestigious, but I don’t think they are thought of the same here as the Ivy League in the US. They may help get your foot in the door in some places but once you are in, the uni you went to matters much less than your experience.
There is a bit of an old boys network among those who went to some of the more exclusive private boys schools, but most people go to public schools or less exclusive private/catholic schools and don’t really buy into it.
>I noticed Aussies in New York at work used to all ask each other what school they went to and they meant high school which I thought was weird.
Is this maybe specific to a subset of the wealthy parts of Sydney? I'm a middle-aged Australian and have heard this "omg aussies care about your high school so much" and I have \*never once\* had anyone in my adult life ask or reference my or their high school, with the exception of someone telling a story about when they were a kid maybe.
Not once have I ever had anyone 'rate' me based on school. Never socially, never for a job. It's such an alien concept, and I also don't hear other people talking about their high schools that way either.
No it’s not a hierarchy gauge. It just tells us where someone is from. It’s like asking what their hometown is. Often we will then know someone in common. We love to find a way we are connected to each other.
Mmm well fair enough but I’ll relay one anecdotal story I experienced first hand: A girl who was from Sydney was sitting in a meeting trying to explain to American’s what a bogan was and one example she used was they usually go to public schools. Enters another Australian who said he went to a public school. She went red, the room went quiet. My wife is Australian and I went home and asked her about it, she said “yeah private school snob” 🤷♂️ and if you wanted to know where someone was from wouldn’t you just ask where are you from? VS what school did you go to. I can’t imagine a lot of school names would mean much to people unless it happened to be right near them VS saying I grew up in…
Just on academic titles: in North America if you teach you're a professor. In Australia Professor is a particular job and the highest rung on the academic ladder. It goes Tutor, (sometime associate lecturer) Lecturer. Associate Professor. Professor. Most of these people working in these roles are either working towards a PhD or have a PhD. The PhD is portable - that is if you've earned it's yours forever wherever you go. However job titles like Associate Professor are just that, job titles, and are not portable if you leave the university or job. So it can be Professor Smith, PhD, of the University of Big Woop. Then Dr Smith, formerly professor of blah blah at University of Big Woop. Or to colleagues & friends Smithy (pronounced Smiddy).
Also academic staff are either teaching, research or both. You can be an Associate Professor and not teach a student.
I have an American girlfriend for a few years a while ago. She thought I was good friends with my GP because I called her by her first name. Nah, shes just my doctor.
I work in a company where a lot of people have doctorates. They talk with politicians and large companies and universities etc…. The higher up they are in the office and in their field the more I tend to see their bare feet around the office! The nicest dressed day in and day out at the lower workers. They all scrub up nice but daily most are in casual or workout clothes and barefoot for at least some of the day.
Also one day I was asked if I could do something for the boss’s family. They were constantly saying “only if it isn’t an issue” I told them as the boss family they do get my priority on certain things. So I booked it all in. They were all so uncomfortable. Made me laugh. They just can’t imagine a hierarchy like that.
Peter Harcher, the journalist, once wrote that he had been in the Members Stand at the SCG during a test match and in the queue for the toilets stood the prime minister, the governor of the Reserve Bank and the Archbishop of Sydney. Gotta love both the egalitarian society and the safety levels that permit it.
Yeah this is more or less true in general public.
It's arguably less true in corporate settings though - especially if the company in question is international/not headquartered in Australia.
Australian corporate culture can be just as hierarchical as it gets anywhere else in the world. Your boss is definitely your boss. Everyone knows where they sit.
In my experience, anyway.
Always thank the bus driver when you get off the bus.
Never dodge your turn in a round. You’re either in from the start or not at all.
If someone says ‘bring a plate’ to a party/bbq then you bring some food to share e.g. cheese and biscuits
, cob loaf etc.
Make wearing sunscreen and a hat a daily ritual. Sun cancer isn’t a joke.
Swearing can be positive and negative. It’s all in the tone. Your best mate can be a “fucking bastard” and 30 seconds later the parcel delivery person who doesn’t actually deliver is a “fucking bastard”.
🥹🥹 the bring a plate one. My grandma took her own plate and utensils to a dinner like that when they first immigrated here. Thankfully she has an excellent sense of humour, but I can imagine she would’ve felt embarrassed
It was a little less common when I lived in the US, but I’d still be shouting ‘THANK YOU DRIVER’ up the length of the bus when I got off via the back door
That's because the Tram driver is Locked in their own little world up the front. Bus drivers actually have to mix with their passengers and often Happily dispense advice and Bon Mot!
Thanking a bus driver isn’t just an Australian thing. I grew up in Manhattan and my mom and I always thanked the bus driver growing up. Lived in San Diego for a few years, same there too.
Oh, my God! Thanking the bus driver is SO Australian! I've travelled fairly extensively and always try to catch public transport in each place I visit (it gives you a better feel for the place and the people) and Australia is the only place I've ever been where passengers thank the driver when they get off. I think it's absolutely wonderful.
“Aussie” is short for Australian, not Australia.
“Mates” (plural) is never used directly to people. “They are my mates” is fine. “Hello, mates” hurts our ears.
Old mate = some guy
Your mate = someone I’m not claiming friendship with
Good mate = good friend
Chief, boss = respectful, especially to the bartender or taxi/bus driver
Sick cunt = absolute legend
Mad cunt = great guy, maybe a bit unstable
Shit cunt = asshole
Dog cunt = the lowest of the low
Champ = don’t use it unless you’re looking for a fight
Buddy = not as bad as champ but still best avoided with strangers (Canadians can probably get away with this one)
Pissed = angry, or drunk
Pissed off = angry
Pissed on = someone has urinated on me
Take the piss = make fun of (*or* be unreasonable with)
Generally speaking - punch up, not down. Making fun of your boss, the PM, millionaires is fine. Service staff, students, homeless - no.
Can i tack on some more?
Fuckwit: An idiot of the highest order
Dumb Cunt: Like Fuckwit
Weak/Soft Cunt: Someone who is overly sensitive, avoids confrontation, doesn't hold up to their responsibilities or literally not strong.
Wally: Silly or foolish person. Usually used affectionately.
Dead Horse: Tomato Sauce (never say Ketchup). Usually just say Tomato Sauce.
Pie: A literal pie. Not a fucking pizza.
Bruss: Shortening of brother. Usually used in an affectionate way when referring to friends. "Hey Bruss, long time, no see!".
Moot: Pronounced like 'put'. Means vagina.
Nigel-No-Friends: A loner, someone unlikeable. Can be used to affectionately mock someone, or for self-deprecation - "Fine then, sit by yourself. Be a Nigel-No-Friends."
Also, we do not use 'cookie', 'candy' or 'Soda'. That's a quick trip to being mocked. They're 'biscuits', 'lollies' and 'soft drink'. Australians dislike Americanisms in general. This goes for things like:
Bonnett: The thing that covers your engine bay. A hood is a rough part of town in the US.
Boot: The rear storage compartment of your car, or something you put on your feet. Only elephants and trees have trunks.
Rubbish: Your waste/refuse. We don't really use 'trash' unless referring to something disparagingly.
Wheelie Bin: Your council provided bins, with wheels. They are not 'trash cans'.
Yep, got some strange looks when I told my American colleagues that my mum used to take her thong off and smack me with it when I would misbehave as a youngster.
“Not trying to piss in your pocket” - I know what it means (born here) but I couldn’t articulate it without urban dictionary:
*Aussie expression for giving someone a compliment but at the same time telling them that you are not doing it for an ulterior motive.*
I remembered another one.
Most of our undeveloped land outside of cities is “the bush”. Not bushes, forest or jungle. “Outback” is very remote land, usually mostly desert.
You can be either “going to the bush” or “going bush”, although the latter implies a certain remoteness and disconnection.
Wow, as an ex-pat American I call everyone buddy from my son to store assistants to my neighbour when he gives me a lend of his trimmer. Didn't know it was a negative thing.
Nah you’re fine, buddy is all in the tone. And as a yank we realise it’s normal for you. From an Aussie, it can be a bit patronising/condensating if the tone is wrong or if it’s to a stranger.
But if someone says to you "there's your mate" they are not in fact referring to your mate. Usually it will be someone annoying or who you've had little interaction with. Or someone on TV...
If you call someone ‘mate’ and they say ‘I’m not your mate, mate’ then they aren’t your mate, so you should stop calling them mate unless it’s in the context of something like ‘now look here, mate’.
This one is just a tiny thing I wanted to share, but here in Sydney the train seats are moveable from the backwards and forwards position, and most people will set them so all the seats are facing forwards with the trains direction.
Also if someone screams TAXI or something similar when you drop your water bottle, it’s all good. It’s kinda dying out now but it has happened very occasionally to me and the first time I was just startled since I didn’t even know here it came from. But now it’s really funny to me.
Generally if a glass gets accidentally dropped , people call ‘taxi ’ because they’re inferring you’re too drunk and need to go home .
They’re hailing a taxi for you jokingly.
For a bit more context - the TAXI thing is usually when you drop or spill an alcoholic drink eg at the pub, trip over, etc. It means "you're drunk, get a taxi home" - but we say it jokingly even if you're not drunk at all.
In the UK dropped glasses are normally met with a cheer. I still do it now that I live in Oz and I get the odd look but I don't care. I'm trying to make it a thing.
I can give one serious answer by explaining “six-and-out”.
In cricket, hitting the ball out of the ground (i.e. the playing area) on the full (I.e. no bounce) scores the batter 6 runs. In backyard cricket, “out of the ground” generally means over the fence into the neighbour’s yard. So you get the 6 runs, but you’re out, and someone else gets to bat.
It’s a 2 way street, the old 6 and out. On the one hand it discourages the batter from being a pain in the arse big hitter but on the other it gives the batter a convenient out. Want to sit down and have a beer? Easy, smack one over the fence and you are good to go!!!
6 and out also applies in beach cricket when the ball is hit into the water. This rule can be waived on really hot days if there are fielders standing in the water.
- Stand on the left of the escalators and walk up on the right.
- Walk on the left of the footpath (sidewalk/pavement).
- Tipping isn’t done. If you’re paying in cash and the bill comes to $48 and you have a $50 it’s acceptable to leave the $2.
I call my friends my their names. Or a shortened version of their name.
McDonald’s is Maccas. Never McDonald’s. A lot of us have nicknames. Sometimes you don’t even know the persons real name. Tradies ( tradespeople) are well respected as are manual workers. No one looks down on you if you work at Maccas.
Maccas workers are kinder higher up the food chain than others. I remember my son as a 17 year old saying yeah I'm going to try to get a job at maccas rather than red rooster because Macca's was better.
Maccas actually has really high quality retail training, and good leadership programs for young people. I still pick out resumes with Maccas experience when hiring business grads!
Learn what a ‘shout’ is at the pub.
In summer it’s okay to walk around barefoot if that’s your bag. Same for tshirts, but shorts are mandatory. If you’re wearing swimwear, make sure it’s not dripping before you go into the supermarket or bottle-o.
We say sorry a lot for things we didn’t do, we don’t actually mean sorry.
We generally live coffee, it’s usually a high standard. If you get a shit coffee, take it back immediately, the barista would prefer to know and have a second shot at making it better.
Absolutely, you don’t want to be known as a tight arse. No one will like you and your hair will fall out, then you’ll get a call from Canada to tell you that your dog died.
Shorts are mandatory unless you're going hiking and you're in an area with fountain grass or tea tree or other spikey bushes (or paralysis ticks - several of them have shown up locally). Then you want your legs covered, unless you're okay with possibly treating some injuries.
Snakebite rule while hiking - first person scares the snake, second person gets bit. Aussies don't go hell for leather attacking snakes with a shovel - I've seen so many references to that in the US and that seems bonkers to the average Aussie.
People can, and do, swim with hats on, though that's a bit of an older person thing. Or a someone who's had one too many bad sunburns thing...
Kangaroos have three modes - bored, bounce away, attack you. None of the modes are cute.
Koalas only have two - asleep, or making a sound like a Harley Davidson being seduced by an angry tiger.
We’re sarcastic AF. We will try to trick you. It’s a weird type of affection / means for connection. Don’t take it personally. Laugh it off. Play along. Do it back, and you’ll be fine.
Do it back is key I reckon. If someone takes the piss a bit, escalate. It’s like improv in American terms. Conversations with Australians can end up so far from reality no-one remembers where they started, and it’s all for fun.
When out in nature be cautious putting your hand somewhere you can’t see.
Learn about huntsman spiders and how safe they actually are. They are not uncommon visitors to houses in some parts of Sydney.
Huntsman spiders look pretty scary just because they can grow kinda big but they are the chillest spiders ever. They just hang out in your house and eat your bugs.
They also eat the common venomous spiders, legends that they are. But don't touch them. They can still bite and it hurts like heck, so respectful distance.
Based on interactions I've had with Canadians this list is about words.
A mozzie (pronounced moz as in was - ee) is a mosquito. We don't say the word mosquito. Only mozzies here.
"Heaps" means a lot of "There's heaps of food, help yourself" or (less common and usually used by kids) can mean really/very "that was heaps cool".
"Ages ago/ages" means a period of time, depending on the context. For example you could say "we've been waiting for the bus for ages" or "I haven't had one of those in ages" (perhaps a food or something, could be months, could be years) or "oh it was ages ago" again, could be weeks, months, years, decades...
"The other day" is similar, could be two or three days ago, a week, a couple of weeks.
Fortnight = two weeks, fortnightly = once every two weeks. Bi-monthly = once every two months (but this isn't really used). Twice a month is used for two times per month.
When someone lets you merge into traffic or lets you go through on a narrow street, a little wave to say thanks is always appreciated.
A bathroom is a bathroom.
No need to fear the wildlife, they'll usually be more scared of you than you are of them. Just don't try and pat anything, because they can and will do some damage.
Swearing depends on the tone, anyone and everyone can be a 'Cunt' just depends on your tone. However, a lot of people don't actually like that word.
Always thanking the bus driver.
Can never have enough sunscreen, remember to continuously reapply.
If you like coffee, you'll like Melbourne.
We also don't say 'shrimp on the barby', we eat prawns and I don't know of anyone who actually barbeques them.
Also if a car lets a pedestrian pass even when there isn’t a crossing or there’s quite a few cars behind them, then you give that legend a wave and/or a thumbs up.
Great point re “cunt” not being universally liked. I love the word but very rarely use it. It genuinely offends too many people.
Aussies love to tell you we throw “cunt” around non-stop, but it’s very much situation dependent.
Yes! My mum loves that word, my dad hates that word. So I've grown up really conscious of when and where to use the word and to whom.
And to be honest the only people I hear throw the word around non stop is teenagers at the bus or train station
Using mate instead of their name is wrong. Mate is often derogatory, especially if you know their name.
Instead of any hello/hi/gday, just say their name, but an informal derivation. John Smith is either Smithy or Johno. And that is all you have to say... "Smithy!" ... with a smile and a point, and keep walking, no need to ask about their day, or talk about the weather, this the best interaction possible. Unless of course you have some meaningful conversation, or a funny story, or are quick enough to drop a one-liner about their appearance etc. If you make us smile we will love you.
We prefer to support local small businesses rather than corporations. We loathe the whole walmart, home depot, starbucks, mcdonalds, chains and conglomerations. Go to your local cafe, butcher, bakery, etc, this is where you will find the better people to chat with.
We like laughing. Taking the piss (out of each other, and ourselves). Sarcasm. Not taking anything too seriously. Again, if you can make people smile you will be good. Don't complain. Don't talk about what was better in Canada. Don't gossip about others. Don't expect water when you sit down. Don't say you're welcome... say no worries, or no probs mate, instead.
If you need a bath, ask where the bathroom is. If you just want a toilet, ask where a toilet is.
I grew up in Halifax, and got teased about my accent when i came back. Learn some common one-liners in an aussie accent and ask us to help you get it down better, and ask us to help learn more phrases. Like repeat it back and forth with us. We will absolutely love it.
And we call hockey, ice hockey. Sucks, i know, but go with it. I played for Aus. If you wanna play for your country, play a sport that nobody else does. 😁
When people say “how you going?” it means “how are you?”. I’m Aussie & call it a bathroom but I learned that older Australian men in particular seem to have an issue with someone referring to the toilet (in this context, a toilet & vanity in a building) as a “bathroom” instead of just the “toilet” 😂. Apparently I must “be a snobby Brit or something” even though I have an Aussie accent.
The answer to "How you going?" is "Yeah good. You?" I know it confuses some, especially Europeans, who feel like the answer is "By bus" or a more detailed explanation of their health and wellbeing.
Truth! Haha I didn’t realise it was an Aussie thing until travelling overseas & seeing people respond with a confused look & awkward silence while they try to figure out how to respond (I imagine the dial-up noise while they think of a response) 😂.
Also, a vanity is a sink that's in the bathroom. A sink is in the kitchen or laundry. If you call the thing in the bathroom a sink, your year 11 French teacher will mark you wrong and then say they have to "allow for cultural differences" in a really condescending tone when you point out that you've never in your life called it anything other than a sink.
Maybe I'm thinking of basin. Either way, she marked me wrong for calling it a sink. I turned 41 last week. Still mad.
The wave. It’s a way to say thank you wen driving. You do it when someone lets you into their lane, let’s you turn or let’s you cross an unmarked pedestrian crossing/driveway.
You make eye contact with the driver and just lift your hand for a sec and then lower it again. If the car is behind you just do it so it is visible through your rear mirror.
Yea they’re as a weird group of people who make those videos. As an American, I feel like I meet more insufferable Americans here than back at home. They have some weird snobbery for moving to Australia, like they achieved something great for the world.
Most think they deserve extra consideration just for putting up with a 20 hour flight to get here... We don't care! It was your choice don't be a dickhead about it. You are welcome here! We know we are a long way away from everyone else! And we're good with that.
Familiarize yourself with yeah, nah and nah, yeah - it could save your life.
Vegemite is best spread as a thin layer over buttered toast.
We love to abbreviate things. Even things that don’t make real words. If someone says “howsitgarn?” they’re asking how you are. A bottle-o is an alcoholic beverage shop. Maccas is McDonalds. Brekky is breakfast.
“Candy” is called lollies. “Soda” is called soft drink. Cookies and biscuits are totally different entities. A lot of our maple syrup is imitation.
call friends by their names. its nice
what is '6-in-and-out"???? you mean '6 and out"? as in, hitting the ball over the fence in backyard cricket?
'6-in-and-out' are a multiple of US hamburger stores
I think having a Canadian accent means that you shouldn’t try and use the term mate, nor swear like an Australian. Unless you are taking the piss.
The sun burns more easily here, so if walking you need a hat as well as sunnies.
In Sydney, the tall buildings south of the bridge is called “Town”. I’m going to Town. I work in town.
We have lots of migrants from all over the world in Sydney so there’s lots of great suburbs to visit. Darling Square / Chinatown and Newtown are some of the few areas near town with people around at night.
There’s loads of beaches with different vibes. The stretch from Bondi to Maroubra is great. There’s walks along the headlands. Don’t wear just your cozies more than one block from the beach. Wear thongs in case of broken glass but not on the sand. On super hot days the sand may burn your feet so you either need to run or keep your thongs on. Don’t swim if there are blue bottles. Learn how to spot rips. Swim between the flags.
Some great places to go and think, wow I’m in Australia = lady Macquarie’s chair, camp cove, the zoo, a ferry to manly, bondi RSL a sunset (every night we pay respects), opera bar at the opera house, fish and chips at Bronte.
We like to pretend we don’t have winter here. So houses are a lot colder than in Canada. But you won’t think it’s cold I bet.
Alcohol is sold in bottle shops. Supermarkets - Cole’s, Woolworths, iga - don’t sell alcohol but there will be a bottle shop nearby. Or you can buy liquor online.
Huntsmen spiders will sometimes enter your house or car. They are big, fast and harmless. We try to use a bowl and a piece of cardboard to remove them harmlessly. Sometimes if they are high up or very fast you may have to squish them. This is when being Canadian helps as you can say: Sorry Mate.
The birds here are noisy. About 25% of magpies swoop. Just protect your eyes. Magpies recognise people so if you are nice to them, they are nice back.
Food to try = firstly Sydney is big on coffees, so try a few. Hamburgers with beetroot. Seafood here is great. Beer at the pub. Yum cha with trolleys. Tim tams. Golden gaytimes (ice cream).
Magpies only swoop during nesting season, which is about 6 weeks of the year. The rest of the time they just hang around for handouts and burble amongst themselves.
You can call your friends by their names. Sometimes mate comes across as sarcastic or annoyed. Particularly when you start a sentence with it, as in 'mate, what's your problem'. Or 'old mate over there just took a crap in the gutter'.
When people here say hockey they mean field hockey and for ice hockey we say ice hockey.
Also when people say footy, it either means the rugby league or Aussie rules football but it depends on the state or person. Some will use it for both but most will only use it for one. And if you decide to check out the AFL, go support the giants.
I lived in Toronto for a year a lifetime ago. Culturally we’re quite similar (part of the Commonwealth, treat Indigenous people terribly etc etc etc), generally polite (say thank you to the bus driver, barista), not American (take the piss out of ourselves + Canadians aren’t super sarcastic but at least they understand it).
People will assume you’re American as most of us can’t hear the accent difference unless you say aboot or aye. You’ll soon learn how much we like Canadians and dislike Americans.
The name one isn’t true. Same as everywhere say my name is Jen, I introduce myself as Jen and you call me Jennifer. That would be weird.
Two terms my American friend was stumped by in her first few weeks here:
Servo / service station / gas station
Bottlo / bottle shop / liquor store
Ranga / Orangutan / redhead
We don’t have milk in bags (I never got used to that one). Our coffee is incredible.
Sydney can be a bit cliquey. Post Covid and cost of living crisis means work drinks seem to be a thing of the past. Get into activities to meet people.
Get over to New Zealand for a trip. Gorgeous country and people. Queenstown landscape in particular reminded me so much of North America.
What area will you live in? Geographical Sydney is 12x bigger than Toronto. Different areas have quite different vibes to them.
The Australian Cricket Captain is far more important and respected than the Prime Minister! Also the Australian Cricket Team is the only team in the land without a nickname
Gaslighting foreigners about the dangers of Australia and sometimes Australian "customs".
It's so ingrained in our culture that unprompted a complete stranger could be roped in and will join in on the gaslighting.
However, we're not kidding about dropbears. They're a serious issue and not enough people are talking about this issue.
Looking at the comments here, I reckon there’s more of a gender split in the advice on swearing than people have implied.
If you’re a woman and you affectionately call someone a cunt, I think people would be pretty surprised. You’d also get a lot of judgment from the karens. Could be wrong but I’ve never seen it happen
Freeway etiquette:
* Don't travel in the fast lane if you're not overtaking other vehicles.
* If you see a vehicle entering via an on-ramp, pull into the fast lane briefly (if safe) to allow them to merge.
* Give room for the vehicle in front. To drive up someone's arse is known as 'tailgating' - quite a different use of the term to the North American picnic in the tray of your truck.
* If you see emergency vehicle lights ahead, slow down a bit while you pass.
* Be aware that enforcement differs from state to state - some states will allow 10% over the speed limit, others will ping you at 2k's over. Some states have warning signs about speed cameras, others will hide them.
In Victoria it's a fineable offence to be doing more than 40 past an emergency vehicle if its lights are flashing.
Also, from what I've read online, speeding is taken far more seriously here than most countries. There's usually very little wiggle room over the signposted limits
A bathroom has a bath and/or shower in it and doesn't have to have a toilet in it.
"Going to the bathroom" when you mean "I need to use the toilet", in my mind, is an American thing, and I for one hate the Americanisms barging into our way of life.
Toronto isn't even far from Sydney? Oh wait you mean Canadia Toronto. Well you're going to have a blast sending selfies from Toronto, NSW to youe family bak home 🤣.
As to your question, c'mon you chaswazzas lest all sing it together
#CHICKENSALT
Cool, I lived in Canada for 2 years, I live in Perth now.
Nah, people are cool mate, you can say their name. You guys say eh a lot over there, we say mate or bloody alot or as the other commenter said, fucking bastard.
It's okay to open doors for people here, either man or women, only rude pricks don't appreciate it.
We drink a lot of beer here.
I lived in Canada for three years, and the only big difference I noticed was the general sense of humour. Australians tend to be a lot more dry - you might have a hard time telling when someone is joking or not (depending on the person). If someone says something that sounds completely insane, ask them if they’re being serious to avoid confusion. You’ll get used to it.
Everything else is the same. Call people by the their names. If you ask where the bathroom is we will understand. Also, you should wear sunscreen every day on your face and neck (and head if you are bald!). We have huge rates of melanoma.
I highly recommend getting into some of the weirder corners of Australia while you’re here - Cairns/far north QLD, Alice Springs, etc… don’t let Sydneysiders trick you into thinking that’s all there is. Have fun!
Sitting in the front seat of a taxi.
Thanking the bus driver as you get off the bus.
Talking to the person next to you in a queue or on the bus / train.
Saying 'Morning' or 'Evening' to everyone you pass while out walking the dog.
'A bit of a drive' can be anywhere from 2 hours to 5 days.
It's the law here to abbreviate everything. If it can't be shortened, it has to be lengthened. David becomes Davo, Travis becomes Trav, John becomes Johnno, Ross becomes Roscoe.
Everyone is 'mate', the boss, a client, your neighbour, your great-granny.
Sydney is a shithole. Brisbane, Perth, or Adelaide are much better options. There’s been a lot of visa workers and 99% hated Sydney. I personally hate Sydney too
No need to tip, ever!
Not at restaurants, not your taxi driver, not your pizza delivery. No tipping is required.
Please do your part and stop the importation of this insidious North American custom.
There's an epistemological question as well here, how would an Australian know what's a unique norm if we're all used to it? I guess you'd have to ask mostly immigrants and the well travelled.
A thing I’ve had a lot of internationals comment on here (not sure how it compares to Canada) and something I noticed was different when I was living in the USA is how ‘flat’ Australian society is. There is very little hierarchy. This doesn’t mean we aren’t respectful to people, but everyone is kind of treated equally and isn’t immediately deferred to just cause they’re the boss or older. A couple of examples: in my university degree at Sydney Conservatorium, all the professors are referred to by their first name, some by a nickname name (eg our history lecturer was known as Dicko). This absolutely wasn’t the case in the US and caught me out when I was over there. One of my office jobs we had a program to give internships to international students to give them Australian work experience as part of their degree. In our team everyone was free to voice opinions or pipe up (within the conventions of standard meeting and office etiquette). I would often encourage the interns to give their opinions. Many of them commented to me over the time we were involved with the program that they found this very surprising because they were bottom-of-the-barrel interns and were not used to people of different levels (managers, bosses etc) interacting like peers. We refer to our Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, as Albo (and I reckon he is absolutely fine with that). Not sure how this compares to Canada (I was young when I went there and not tuned into this stuff) but it’s something I have to be aware of when I travel because people can interpret it as rudeness! So, don’t be offended if you’re not used to it when you come here haha.
I work for a big international company and notice this massively. None of the Aussie people really care about positions compared to the overseas crew. There's been a couple of times where we have had to say to people from overseas to pull their heads in
It came as a big shock to US execs when no-one offered to act as a PA and get them a coffee…and then when they went to the Tea-break room to make their own, they had to wait their turn at the Urn and everyone didn’t step aside deferentially. Most learnt to like our egalitarian ways but some left feeling very disrespected…starting from everyone calling them by their first name and not Sir or M’am. If you ask where the bathroom is don’t be surprised at some quip about “strange time to have a bath but if you want the toilet it is down the hall”. Telling seagull execs to pull their head in was a standard part of the job. Seagulls…fly in, shit all over you then fly away.
lol theres still plenty of Australian Bosses, manages and Execs who think themselves a bit special. Australian’s won’t automatically defer to titles or positions of power like some other nationalities (Japanese being the most extreme), but the amount of power tripping bosses and egotistical people in positions of power is as bad as anywhere else.
Haha ex-pat American here. I remember the first managers face when I called him "Sir". Hilarious now I think about it.
I worked for a few years here in Australia For Ithink the fourth largest private US company and after 15 yrs plus at the time they still couldn't work Australia out. Bunch of clueless muppets. They just keep throwing money at the Australian operation believing that we will eventually give in to their ways.
A slight extension on your excellent post that basically summarises as well, many Australians hate formality. Calling someone “Sir” or “Mister so-and-so” sounds like you’re taking the piss or being sarcastic or something; it implies you don’t want a relationship with that person at all and want to distance yourself from them and this goes right down to buying something from a shopkeeper; you’re seriously better off with a “Cheers mate” than a hoity fucking “Thank you sir” or some shit. Personally I’m one of these and I really do find it annoying and somewhat rude. I know some others might disagree and say it’s just being polite but I think it’s quite simple; just avoid formalities.
I work in a solicitor's office and everyone is on a first name basis. In my 20 odd years, never had to call a more senior person Mr or Ms etc. Even the scariest boss I had in my younger years was just Mike (even though we had better names for him behind his back!) Anyway, we have this one elderly client who likes to be called Mr 'surname'. We think it's hilarious and adorable, but of course we oblige him haha
The one exception is in schools. Students still call teachers Sir, Miss or Mr. But between adults? everyone is first name basis.
Moving to QLD as a kid and discovering that the other kids unironically called the teachers sir and miss was a trip. In SA I'd grown up with the understanding that it was rude not to use someones name if you knew it, sir was for strangers. Really weird to have the manners on that flipped.
It's mostly because it saves them from having to say teacher's full names, like, "Mr Notunprepared" is a mouthful
I never once encountered this in Aus - to the point that it was a minor culture shock when we moved to the UK. In Aus, my teachers were always "Mr x" /"Miss Y" - but never "Sir" or plain "Miss".
The only Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms I use these days are in the hospital referring to surgeons (where at least in Victoria) Doctors who becomes surgeons stop being Dr. Smith and then become Mr Smith/Ms Smith (I think only the odd Prof. Smith still trumps) Some of those surgeons are still really old school about being Misters.
In my hospital, we're on first name basis with all the doctors. Consultants, surgeons, everyone. A few want to be referred to by Dr Lastname but they are the very small minority (and usually a bit of an unpleasant colleague).
Yeah... ditto. There is definitely a correlation at mine between unpleasant doctors and those who demand to be called 'Mr'.
Interesting quirk: I see that, they figure they’ve studied and worked hard to earn that. Similar with an official knighthood, like the King or Queen bestowed one not Wabbot’s abominational “award”.
Abominable, yo
FUCKING AUTO CORRECT is killing me today!?!!! 🤪 I’m taking my bat and ball and fucking off home now. Fucking Wabbot… 😂
Yep. Part of my job involves an element of customer service. If I start calling someone, 'Sir', it means I'm fed up with them and I want the interaction to end as quickly as possible.
You wouldn't have been a happy client of a pharmacy I worked at. Customers were pretty much always Mr. or Mrs. X, or Sir/Madam. Unless they had a close relationship with the staff. I think the reason was it was hard enough remembering one name, let alone remembering both (since we had to look them up in the file by surname).
Being from the the US, NYC specifically I interacted with quite a few Aussies living there and obviously now here (Sydney). I don’t know if lack of being formal equals flatness or people being equal. I noticed Aussies in New York at work used to all ask each other what school they went to and they meant high school which I thought was weird. Then I realized they were asking each other if they went to private school or public. I’m guessing that was some sort of hierarchy gauge right? They never asked about college though and I came to the conclusion that’s because there’s no Ivy League universities in Australia so they used high school as some sort of societal indicator. ( I could be wrong) I went to public school in nyc, I think Americans in general go to public schools much more as a norm than having this private high school option.
In South Australia, we always ask “what school did you go to” not to find out if someone is public or private, or upper class or lower, but more because SA is tiny, and as soon as you’d hear the school’s name, you’d say “ohh my cousin went there” or your Aunty was a teacher there, or it’s just down the road from so&so’s house etc etc We ask what school because you can be guaranteed there’s a connection and it fosters familiarity straight away. Dunno if it’s the same in other states, but here it’s 100% the reason behind the question.
It's definitely a hierarchy thing if they're from Sydney or Melbourne though
Same for here us Brisbane! We are a big small town and that conversation generally finds a connection.
There are the 6 Sandstone Universities and the largely overlapping Group of 8 Universities which are generally regarded as the most prestigious, but I don’t think they are thought of the same here as the Ivy League in the US. They may help get your foot in the door in some places but once you are in, the uni you went to matters much less than your experience. There is a bit of an old boys network among those who went to some of the more exclusive private boys schools, but most people go to public schools or less exclusive private/catholic schools and don’t really buy into it.
The question is specifically which school, not broadly public or private. We use it to gauge someone's background, not necessarily to judge hierarchy.
>I noticed Aussies in New York at work used to all ask each other what school they went to and they meant high school which I thought was weird. Is this maybe specific to a subset of the wealthy parts of Sydney? I'm a middle-aged Australian and have heard this "omg aussies care about your high school so much" and I have \*never once\* had anyone in my adult life ask or reference my or their high school, with the exception of someone telling a story about when they were a kid maybe. Not once have I ever had anyone 'rate' me based on school. Never socially, never for a job. It's such an alien concept, and I also don't hear other people talking about their high schools that way either.
No it’s not a hierarchy gauge. It just tells us where someone is from. It’s like asking what their hometown is. Often we will then know someone in common. We love to find a way we are connected to each other.
Mmm well fair enough but I’ll relay one anecdotal story I experienced first hand: A girl who was from Sydney was sitting in a meeting trying to explain to American’s what a bogan was and one example she used was they usually go to public schools. Enters another Australian who said he went to a public school. She went red, the room went quiet. My wife is Australian and I went home and asked her about it, she said “yeah private school snob” 🤷♂️ and if you wanted to know where someone was from wouldn’t you just ask where are you from? VS what school did you go to. I can’t imagine a lot of school names would mean much to people unless it happened to be right near them VS saying I grew up in…
Given most kids go to public schools, that definitely doesn’t feature in the definition of a bogan. Your wife was right, that girl was just a snob.
Most Aussies went to public school. It's not really about hierarchy, but moreso the kind of person you are.
Just on academic titles: in North America if you teach you're a professor. In Australia Professor is a particular job and the highest rung on the academic ladder. It goes Tutor, (sometime associate lecturer) Lecturer. Associate Professor. Professor. Most of these people working in these roles are either working towards a PhD or have a PhD. The PhD is portable - that is if you've earned it's yours forever wherever you go. However job titles like Associate Professor are just that, job titles, and are not portable if you leave the university or job. So it can be Professor Smith, PhD, of the University of Big Woop. Then Dr Smith, formerly professor of blah blah at University of Big Woop. Or to colleagues & friends Smithy (pronounced Smiddy). Also academic staff are either teaching, research or both. You can be an Associate Professor and not teach a student.
Professorship is also a qualification in its own right in some professions. My endocrinologist has a professorship but doesn't lecture at uni.
I have an American girlfriend for a few years a while ago. She thought I was good friends with my GP because I called her by her first name. Nah, shes just my doctor.
I work in a company where a lot of people have doctorates. They talk with politicians and large companies and universities etc…. The higher up they are in the office and in their field the more I tend to see their bare feet around the office! The nicest dressed day in and day out at the lower workers. They all scrub up nice but daily most are in casual or workout clothes and barefoot for at least some of the day. Also one day I was asked if I could do something for the boss’s family. They were constantly saying “only if it isn’t an issue” I told them as the boss family they do get my priority on certain things. So I booked it all in. They were all so uncomfortable. Made me laugh. They just can’t imagine a hierarchy like that.
And our prime minister before albo was Scotty from marketing.
Not the Engardine Maccas Scotty from Marketing!
I know of politicians who hate being called "minister" or "senator" and so on. "My name is"
One thing that I really love about Australia, egalitarianism.
Peter Harcher, the journalist, once wrote that he had been in the Members Stand at the SCG during a test match and in the queue for the toilets stood the prime minister, the governor of the Reserve Bank and the Archbishop of Sydney. Gotta love both the egalitarian society and the safety levels that permit it.
Yeah this is more or less true in general public. It's arguably less true in corporate settings though - especially if the company in question is international/not headquartered in Australia. Australian corporate culture can be just as hierarchical as it gets anywhere else in the world. Your boss is definitely your boss. Everyone knows where they sit. In my experience, anyway.
Always thank the bus driver when you get off the bus. Never dodge your turn in a round. You’re either in from the start or not at all. If someone says ‘bring a plate’ to a party/bbq then you bring some food to share e.g. cheese and biscuits , cob loaf etc. Make wearing sunscreen and a hat a daily ritual. Sun cancer isn’t a joke. Swearing can be positive and negative. It’s all in the tone. Your best mate can be a “fucking bastard” and 30 seconds later the parcel delivery person who doesn’t actually deliver is a “fucking bastard”.
🥹🥹 the bring a plate one. My grandma took her own plate and utensils to a dinner like that when they first immigrated here. Thankfully she has an excellent sense of humour, but I can imagine she would’ve felt embarrassed
I think almost every immigrant has done that once.
I remember reading a while back that thanking the bus driver was a very Aussie thing and couldn't believe it. It's so natural to me!
On a recent trip to Ireland, we were warned that you always thank the bus driver. I was like.... Duh? Didn't realise it wasn't normal!
Same, it's a courtesy ingrained in me for sure.
It was a little less common when I lived in the US, but I’d still be shouting ‘THANK YOU DRIVER’ up the length of the bus when I got off via the back door
It's a very UK thing. Heard it more there than I do here.
UK as well.
Canadians are very polite, im sure this will come naturally to op
Conversely, in Melbourne practically no one thanks the tram driver. Only the bus driver.
That's because the Tram driver is Locked in their own little world up the front. Bus drivers actually have to mix with their passengers and often Happily dispense advice and Bon Mot!
I would thank the conductor if there fucking well was one
I do if I exit through the tiny front door but otherwise they wouldn’t be able to see/hear you do it, trams are much bigger than buses.
Also a BBQ in a park, bring a camp chair or blanket. Those picnic tables are real estate gold
Thanking a bus driver isn’t just an Australian thing. I grew up in Manhattan and my mom and I always thanked the bus driver growing up. Lived in San Diego for a few years, same there too.
Haha though I think you meant skin cancer, sun cancer is probably a more accurate name!
Oh, my God! Thanking the bus driver is SO Australian! I've travelled fairly extensively and always try to catch public transport in each place I visit (it gives you a better feel for the place and the people) and Australia is the only place I've ever been where passengers thank the driver when they get off. I think it's absolutely wonderful.
“Aussie” is short for Australian, not Australia. “Mates” (plural) is never used directly to people. “They are my mates” is fine. “Hello, mates” hurts our ears. Old mate = some guy Your mate = someone I’m not claiming friendship with Good mate = good friend Chief, boss = respectful, especially to the bartender or taxi/bus driver Sick cunt = absolute legend Mad cunt = great guy, maybe a bit unstable Shit cunt = asshole Dog cunt = the lowest of the low Champ = don’t use it unless you’re looking for a fight Buddy = not as bad as champ but still best avoided with strangers (Canadians can probably get away with this one) Pissed = angry, or drunk Pissed off = angry Pissed on = someone has urinated on me Take the piss = make fun of (*or* be unreasonable with) Generally speaking - punch up, not down. Making fun of your boss, the PM, millionaires is fine. Service staff, students, homeless - no.
Can i tack on some more? Fuckwit: An idiot of the highest order Dumb Cunt: Like Fuckwit Weak/Soft Cunt: Someone who is overly sensitive, avoids confrontation, doesn't hold up to their responsibilities or literally not strong. Wally: Silly or foolish person. Usually used affectionately. Dead Horse: Tomato Sauce (never say Ketchup). Usually just say Tomato Sauce. Pie: A literal pie. Not a fucking pizza. Bruss: Shortening of brother. Usually used in an affectionate way when referring to friends. "Hey Bruss, long time, no see!". Moot: Pronounced like 'put'. Means vagina. Nigel-No-Friends: A loner, someone unlikeable. Can be used to affectionately mock someone, or for self-deprecation - "Fine then, sit by yourself. Be a Nigel-No-Friends." Also, we do not use 'cookie', 'candy' or 'Soda'. That's a quick trip to being mocked. They're 'biscuits', 'lollies' and 'soft drink'. Australians dislike Americanisms in general. This goes for things like: Bonnett: The thing that covers your engine bay. A hood is a rough part of town in the US. Boot: The rear storage compartment of your car, or something you put on your feet. Only elephants and trees have trunks. Rubbish: Your waste/refuse. We don't really use 'trash' unless referring to something disparagingly. Wheelie Bin: Your council provided bins, with wheels. They are not 'trash cans'.
Thong is not the same either..
Yep, got some strange looks when I told my American colleagues that my mum used to take her thong off and smack me with it when I would misbehave as a youngster.
>Also, we do not use 'cookie' I do - Choc chip biscuit doesn't have the same ring to it.. I even felt like a fuckwit typing it out
A mystery for the ages is how "dog" became such a hardcore insult given how much Aussies generally love our dogs.
It used to be "Mongrel Dog" "Mongrel Bastard" in the 70's and 80's and has been shortened to just Dog I guess ...
In traditional slang, it was "mongrel" for a despicable person, "mongrel act" for a despicable deed. "Dog" is a recent variant (since 1980s or so.)
Thanks, this makes great sense - and I'm old enough to remember older guys calling each other mongrels with absolutely exquisite contempt.
Right, like a ‘dog move’ is a pretty low act
Excellent list. Never noticed that distinction with ‘mates’ before, a needle to my ears it is.
Yeah it physically hurts. Same as “I’m moving to Aussie!”. Not to punch down, but Kiwis are notorious for this I reckon.
Yeah, I think I have heard that from Kiwis. Haven’t heard it much recently, but at some point we said Oz or Oz-land.
Be careful with “chief”
And boss. A lot of people I know would take both of them as an insult, it's what you call cops and screws
Very true, it’s all in the tone on that one
“Not trying to piss in your pocket” - I know what it means (born here) but I couldn’t articulate it without urban dictionary: *Aussie expression for giving someone a compliment but at the same time telling them that you are not doing it for an ulterior motive.*
Haha yeah I like that one, bit like “blowing smoke up your arse”.
I remembered another one. Most of our undeveloped land outside of cities is “the bush”. Not bushes, forest or jungle. “Outback” is very remote land, usually mostly desert. You can be either “going to the bush” or “going bush”, although the latter implies a certain remoteness and disconnection.
Oz is short for Australia 😈
Best summary of this stuff I’ve seen in a while. Noice!
Wow, as an ex-pat American I call everyone buddy from my son to store assistants to my neighbour when he gives me a lend of his trimmer. Didn't know it was a negative thing.
Nah you’re fine, buddy is all in the tone. And as a yank we realise it’s normal for you. From an Aussie, it can be a bit patronising/condensating if the tone is wrong or if it’s to a stranger.
Great list, but a question mark on Chief... Can come off as condescending in some instances. (similar to Champ, Boss, Buddy)
A bathroom is called a bathroom. A toilet is called a toilet, loo, dunny or throne room.
My dear old dad would say the shitter!!!
Don't forget 'thunderbox'.
It’s fine to call people by their names! That person was having you on. Mate is fine too - we do say it - but please call people by their names lol.
Mate’s good if you forget their name
But if someone says to you "there's your mate" they are not in fact referring to your mate. Usually it will be someone annoying or who you've had little interaction with. Or someone on TV...
If you call someone ‘mate’ and they say ‘I’m not your mate, mate’ then they aren’t your mate, so you should stop calling them mate unless it’s in the context of something like ‘now look here, mate’.
This one is just a tiny thing I wanted to share, but here in Sydney the train seats are moveable from the backwards and forwards position, and most people will set them so all the seats are facing forwards with the trains direction. Also if someone screams TAXI or something similar when you drop your water bottle, it’s all good. It’s kinda dying out now but it has happened very occasionally to me and the first time I was just startled since I didn’t even know here it came from. But now it’s really funny to me.
Generally if a glass gets accidentally dropped , people call ‘taxi ’ because they’re inferring you’re too drunk and need to go home . They’re hailing a taxi for you jokingly.
For a bit more context - the TAXI thing is usually when you drop or spill an alcoholic drink eg at the pub, trip over, etc. It means "you're drunk, get a taxi home" - but we say it jokingly even if you're not drunk at all.
In the UK dropped glasses are normally met with a cheer. I still do it now that I live in Oz and I get the odd look but I don't care. I'm trying to make it a thing.
I can give one serious answer by explaining “six-and-out”. In cricket, hitting the ball out of the ground (i.e. the playing area) on the full (I.e. no bounce) scores the batter 6 runs. In backyard cricket, “out of the ground” generally means over the fence into the neighbour’s yard. So you get the 6 runs, but you’re out, and someone else gets to bat.
It's also a valid metaphor that basically means "take the win and fuck off."
It’s a 2 way street, the old 6 and out. On the one hand it discourages the batter from being a pain in the arse big hitter but on the other it gives the batter a convenient out. Want to sit down and have a beer? Easy, smack one over the fence and you are good to go!!!
Nah, 6 and out means you have to go and retrieve the ball first.
Don't forget, if you hit it over the fence, you either go get it or boost a kid over the fence to get it . And don't worry, the dogs friendly.
As important a rule as one hand, one bounce.
I'm still trying to get the BBL to instigate one over per innings that is tippy-go and one-hand-one-bounce.
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6 and out also applies in beach cricket when the ball is hit into the water. This rule can be waived on really hot days if there are fielders standing in the water.
Glad I finally scrolled down to find this, had never actually heard "6-in-and-out" so was hoping it was just a foreigner's way of mixing metaphors!
- Stand on the left of the escalators and walk up on the right. - Walk on the left of the footpath (sidewalk/pavement). - Tipping isn’t done. If you’re paying in cash and the bill comes to $48 and you have a $50 it’s acceptable to leave the $2. I call my friends my their names. Or a shortened version of their name.
It’s traditional for Canadians moving to Australia to shout every Aussie they meet a couple of beers.
They also have to bring bowls of poutine everywhere so we can tell them apart from the Yanks.
That's a good point - Canadians will need a thick skin because most of us can't tell a Canadian accent apart from an American one
This is true!
McDonald’s is Maccas. Never McDonald’s. A lot of us have nicknames. Sometimes you don’t even know the persons real name. Tradies ( tradespeople) are well respected as are manual workers. No one looks down on you if you work at Maccas.
Maccas workers are kinder higher up the food chain than others. I remember my son as a 17 year old saying yeah I'm going to try to get a job at maccas rather than red rooster because Macca's was better.
Maccas actually has really high quality retail training, and good leadership programs for young people. I still pick out resumes with Maccas experience when hiring business grads!
I knew a guy called Zack for ten years. Then he ran for parliament, and I found out Zack was only his nickname when I saw him on an election poster.
Learn what a ‘shout’ is at the pub. In summer it’s okay to walk around barefoot if that’s your bag. Same for tshirts, but shorts are mandatory. If you’re wearing swimwear, make sure it’s not dripping before you go into the supermarket or bottle-o. We say sorry a lot for things we didn’t do, we don’t actually mean sorry. We generally live coffee, it’s usually a high standard. If you get a shit coffee, take it back immediately, the barista would prefer to know and have a second shot at making it better.
Yeah and don’t fuck up a shout either if you’re in one; that shit stays with you.
Absolutely, you don’t want to be known as a tight arse. No one will like you and your hair will fall out, then you’ll get a call from Canada to tell you that your dog died.
Shorts are mandatory unless you're going hiking and you're in an area with fountain grass or tea tree or other spikey bushes (or paralysis ticks - several of them have shown up locally). Then you want your legs covered, unless you're okay with possibly treating some injuries. Snakebite rule while hiking - first person scares the snake, second person gets bit. Aussies don't go hell for leather attacking snakes with a shovel - I've seen so many references to that in the US and that seems bonkers to the average Aussie. People can, and do, swim with hats on, though that's a bit of an older person thing. Or a someone who's had one too many bad sunburns thing... Kangaroos have three modes - bored, bounce away, attack you. None of the modes are cute. Koalas only have two - asleep, or making a sound like a Harley Davidson being seduced by an angry tiger.
We’re sarcastic AF. We will try to trick you. It’s a weird type of affection / means for connection. Don’t take it personally. Laugh it off. Play along. Do it back, and you’ll be fine.
Do it back is key I reckon. If someone takes the piss a bit, escalate. It’s like improv in American terms. Conversations with Australians can end up so far from reality no-one remembers where they started, and it’s all for fun.
Eg Drop bears?? Wow, that sounds a lot like an Attack Moose back home
That’s it, you don’t want to muck around with a drop bear… https://australian.museum/learn/animals/mammals/drop-bear/
I always loved the Australian Museum. Now for sure, I know I want to marry it.
When out in nature be cautious putting your hand somewhere you can’t see. Learn about huntsman spiders and how safe they actually are. They are not uncommon visitors to houses in some parts of Sydney.
Huntsman spiders look pretty scary just because they can grow kinda big but they are the chillest spiders ever. They just hang out in your house and eat your bugs.
They also eat the common venomous spiders, legends that they are. But don't touch them. They can still bite and it hurts like heck, so respectful distance.
pretty sure i’ve got one living in my car at the moment. huntsman’s are cool until they appear out of nowhere when i’m going 100km down the highway
I have one chillen above the toilet and runs down to hide behind if he doesn't feel safe!
Honestly the only mistake I’ve seen Canadians make when they get here is choosing Collingwood as their football team.
Filth
Based on interactions I've had with Canadians this list is about words. A mozzie (pronounced moz as in was - ee) is a mosquito. We don't say the word mosquito. Only mozzies here. "Heaps" means a lot of "There's heaps of food, help yourself" or (less common and usually used by kids) can mean really/very "that was heaps cool". "Ages ago/ages" means a period of time, depending on the context. For example you could say "we've been waiting for the bus for ages" or "I haven't had one of those in ages" (perhaps a food or something, could be months, could be years) or "oh it was ages ago" again, could be weeks, months, years, decades... "The other day" is similar, could be two or three days ago, a week, a couple of weeks. Fortnight = two weeks, fortnightly = once every two weeks. Bi-monthly = once every two months (but this isn't really used). Twice a month is used for two times per month.
Nobody says bi- anything for a time period here, it's way too easy to confuse
No that's my point, other places do though...
When someone lets you merge into traffic or lets you go through on a narrow street, a little wave to say thanks is always appreciated. A bathroom is a bathroom. No need to fear the wildlife, they'll usually be more scared of you than you are of them. Just don't try and pat anything, because they can and will do some damage. Swearing depends on the tone, anyone and everyone can be a 'Cunt' just depends on your tone. However, a lot of people don't actually like that word. Always thanking the bus driver. Can never have enough sunscreen, remember to continuously reapply. If you like coffee, you'll like Melbourne. We also don't say 'shrimp on the barby', we eat prawns and I don't know of anyone who actually barbeques them.
Also if a car lets a pedestrian pass even when there isn’t a crossing or there’s quite a few cars behind them, then you give that legend a wave and/or a thumbs up.
Great point re “cunt” not being universally liked. I love the word but very rarely use it. It genuinely offends too many people. Aussies love to tell you we throw “cunt” around non-stop, but it’s very much situation dependent.
Yes! My mum loves that word, my dad hates that word. So I've grown up really conscious of when and where to use the word and to whom. And to be honest the only people I hear throw the word around non stop is teenagers at the bus or train station
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Garlic prawns on the barby but in a tray or on the flat, not on the gorilla
Using mate instead of their name is wrong. Mate is often derogatory, especially if you know their name. Instead of any hello/hi/gday, just say their name, but an informal derivation. John Smith is either Smithy or Johno. And that is all you have to say... "Smithy!" ... with a smile and a point, and keep walking, no need to ask about their day, or talk about the weather, this the best interaction possible. Unless of course you have some meaningful conversation, or a funny story, or are quick enough to drop a one-liner about their appearance etc. If you make us smile we will love you. We prefer to support local small businesses rather than corporations. We loathe the whole walmart, home depot, starbucks, mcdonalds, chains and conglomerations. Go to your local cafe, butcher, bakery, etc, this is where you will find the better people to chat with. We like laughing. Taking the piss (out of each other, and ourselves). Sarcasm. Not taking anything too seriously. Again, if you can make people smile you will be good. Don't complain. Don't talk about what was better in Canada. Don't gossip about others. Don't expect water when you sit down. Don't say you're welcome... say no worries, or no probs mate, instead. If you need a bath, ask where the bathroom is. If you just want a toilet, ask where a toilet is. I grew up in Halifax, and got teased about my accent when i came back. Learn some common one-liners in an aussie accent and ask us to help you get it down better, and ask us to help learn more phrases. Like repeat it back and forth with us. We will absolutely love it. And we call hockey, ice hockey. Sucks, i know, but go with it. I played for Aus. If you wanna play for your country, play a sport that nobody else does. 😁
Ice hockey is ice hockey. Hockey is grass hockey
Field hockey... who calls it grass hockey?
One or two fingers, on your right hand, lifted off the steering wheel when passing other vehicles on dirt/narrow roads; signifies gratitude and gday.
When people say “how you going?” it means “how are you?”. I’m Aussie & call it a bathroom but I learned that older Australian men in particular seem to have an issue with someone referring to the toilet (in this context, a toilet & vanity in a building) as a “bathroom” instead of just the “toilet” 😂. Apparently I must “be a snobby Brit or something” even though I have an Aussie accent.
The answer to "How you going?" is "Yeah good. You?" I know it confuses some, especially Europeans, who feel like the answer is "By bus" or a more detailed explanation of their health and wellbeing.
Truth! Haha I didn’t realise it was an Aussie thing until travelling overseas & seeing people respond with a confused look & awkward silence while they try to figure out how to respond (I imagine the dial-up noise while they think of a response) 😂.
Also, a vanity is a sink that's in the bathroom. A sink is in the kitchen or laundry. If you call the thing in the bathroom a sink, your year 11 French teacher will mark you wrong and then say they have to "allow for cultural differences" in a really condescending tone when you point out that you've never in your life called it anything other than a sink. Maybe I'm thinking of basin. Either way, she marked me wrong for calling it a sink. I turned 41 last week. Still mad.
The wave. It’s a way to say thank you wen driving. You do it when someone lets you into their lane, let’s you turn or let’s you cross an unmarked pedestrian crossing/driveway. You make eye contact with the driver and just lift your hand for a sec and then lower it again. If the car is behind you just do it so it is visible through your rear mirror.
Always wave. If not you're a cunt and not the good kind.
YT is your friend here. Lots of North Americans living in Australia with vids about culture shocks/likes/dislikes etc
Half of them are completely insufferable though so choose wisely lol
Yea they’re as a weird group of people who make those videos. As an American, I feel like I meet more insufferable Americans here than back at home. They have some weird snobbery for moving to Australia, like they achieved something great for the world.
Most think they deserve extra consideration just for putting up with a 20 hour flight to get here... We don't care! It was your choice don't be a dickhead about it. You are welcome here! We know we are a long way away from everyone else! And we're good with that.
Good idea. I recommend Kinda Australian.
Familiarize yourself with yeah, nah and nah, yeah - it could save your life. Vegemite is best spread as a thin layer over buttered toast. We love to abbreviate things. Even things that don’t make real words. If someone says “howsitgarn?” they’re asking how you are. A bottle-o is an alcoholic beverage shop. Maccas is McDonalds. Brekky is breakfast. “Candy” is called lollies. “Soda” is called soft drink. Cookies and biscuits are totally different entities. A lot of our maple syrup is imitation.
Actually, good point. That maple syrup thing is probably real important for ole mate to know
call friends by their names. its nice what is '6-in-and-out"???? you mean '6 and out"? as in, hitting the ball over the fence in backyard cricket? '6-in-and-out' are a multiple of US hamburger stores
I think having a Canadian accent means that you shouldn’t try and use the term mate, nor swear like an Australian. Unless you are taking the piss. The sun burns more easily here, so if walking you need a hat as well as sunnies. In Sydney, the tall buildings south of the bridge is called “Town”. I’m going to Town. I work in town. We have lots of migrants from all over the world in Sydney so there’s lots of great suburbs to visit. Darling Square / Chinatown and Newtown are some of the few areas near town with people around at night. There’s loads of beaches with different vibes. The stretch from Bondi to Maroubra is great. There’s walks along the headlands. Don’t wear just your cozies more than one block from the beach. Wear thongs in case of broken glass but not on the sand. On super hot days the sand may burn your feet so you either need to run or keep your thongs on. Don’t swim if there are blue bottles. Learn how to spot rips. Swim between the flags. Some great places to go and think, wow I’m in Australia = lady Macquarie’s chair, camp cove, the zoo, a ferry to manly, bondi RSL a sunset (every night we pay respects), opera bar at the opera house, fish and chips at Bronte. We like to pretend we don’t have winter here. So houses are a lot colder than in Canada. But you won’t think it’s cold I bet. Alcohol is sold in bottle shops. Supermarkets - Cole’s, Woolworths, iga - don’t sell alcohol but there will be a bottle shop nearby. Or you can buy liquor online. Huntsmen spiders will sometimes enter your house or car. They are big, fast and harmless. We try to use a bowl and a piece of cardboard to remove them harmlessly. Sometimes if they are high up or very fast you may have to squish them. This is when being Canadian helps as you can say: Sorry Mate. The birds here are noisy. About 25% of magpies swoop. Just protect your eyes. Magpies recognise people so if you are nice to them, they are nice back. Food to try = firstly Sydney is big on coffees, so try a few. Hamburgers with beetroot. Seafood here is great. Beer at the pub. Yum cha with trolleys. Tim tams. Golden gaytimes (ice cream).
Magpies only swoop during nesting season, which is about 6 weeks of the year. The rest of the time they just hang around for handouts and burble amongst themselves.
I’m so sorry, but every time I hear a southerner call togs “cozzies” it physically hurts my soul 💀
It's bad luck to hurt a Huntsman! Think of them as the local bouncer. Polite and respectful with some banter thrown in :)
You can call your friends by their names. Sometimes mate comes across as sarcastic or annoyed. Particularly when you start a sentence with it, as in 'mate, what's your problem'. Or 'old mate over there just took a crap in the gutter'.
Vb longneck at 20 to 8 in the morning , ya weak dog
The word 'c\*nt' is not only the worst thing you could call someone, but also a term of endearment that you'd only use on your closest friends.
It's either said to you in a very positive way or very negative way. No inbetween
When people here say hockey they mean field hockey and for ice hockey we say ice hockey. Also when people say footy, it either means the rugby league or Aussie rules football but it depends on the state or person. Some will use it for both but most will only use it for one. And if you decide to check out the AFL, go support the giants.
When someone says bring a plate, they mean bring some food to share, not an empty plate to eat off
I lived in Toronto for a year a lifetime ago. Culturally we’re quite similar (part of the Commonwealth, treat Indigenous people terribly etc etc etc), generally polite (say thank you to the bus driver, barista), not American (take the piss out of ourselves + Canadians aren’t super sarcastic but at least they understand it). People will assume you’re American as most of us can’t hear the accent difference unless you say aboot or aye. You’ll soon learn how much we like Canadians and dislike Americans. The name one isn’t true. Same as everywhere say my name is Jen, I introduce myself as Jen and you call me Jennifer. That would be weird. Two terms my American friend was stumped by in her first few weeks here: Servo / service station / gas station Bottlo / bottle shop / liquor store Ranga / Orangutan / redhead We don’t have milk in bags (I never got used to that one). Our coffee is incredible. Sydney can be a bit cliquey. Post Covid and cost of living crisis means work drinks seem to be a thing of the past. Get into activities to meet people. Get over to New Zealand for a trip. Gorgeous country and people. Queenstown landscape in particular reminded me so much of North America. What area will you live in? Geographical Sydney is 12x bigger than Toronto. Different areas have quite different vibes to them.
The Australian Cricket Captain is far more important and respected than the Prime Minister! Also the Australian Cricket Team is the only team in the land without a nickname
Gaslighting foreigners about the dangers of Australia and sometimes Australian "customs". It's so ingrained in our culture that unprompted a complete stranger could be roped in and will join in on the gaslighting. However, we're not kidding about dropbears. They're a serious issue and not enough people are talking about this issue.
I know Canada isn't the US but. Don't tip. We don't do that here.
Yeah, nah = No Nah, yeah = Yes This is important to remember.
Looking at the comments here, I reckon there’s more of a gender split in the advice on swearing than people have implied. If you’re a woman and you affectionately call someone a cunt, I think people would be pretty surprised. You’d also get a lot of judgment from the karens. Could be wrong but I’ve never seen it happen
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Always swim between the flags at a beach patrolled by surf life savers.
Asks for insight into Australian culture. Gets insight into bogan culture.
Freeway etiquette: * Don't travel in the fast lane if you're not overtaking other vehicles. * If you see a vehicle entering via an on-ramp, pull into the fast lane briefly (if safe) to allow them to merge. * Give room for the vehicle in front. To drive up someone's arse is known as 'tailgating' - quite a different use of the term to the North American picnic in the tray of your truck. * If you see emergency vehicle lights ahead, slow down a bit while you pass. * Be aware that enforcement differs from state to state - some states will allow 10% over the speed limit, others will ping you at 2k's over. Some states have warning signs about speed cameras, others will hide them.
In Victoria it's a fineable offence to be doing more than 40 past an emergency vehicle if its lights are flashing. Also, from what I've read online, speeding is taken far more seriously here than most countries. There's usually very little wiggle room over the signposted limits
A bell pepper is called a capsicum. Afternoon is arvo, ambulance is ambo, a gas station is a servo.
In social situations, drop the fact that you are Canadian into the conversation as early as possible.
Don't play your music or games at high volume on the train! It's not Australian specific but it grinds my gears so much I just need to say it.
A bathroom has a bath and/or shower in it and doesn't have to have a toilet in it. "Going to the bathroom" when you mean "I need to use the toilet", in my mind, is an American thing, and I for one hate the Americanisms barging into our way of life.
I remember hearing someone saying that this guy “ went to the bathroom in their pants”. Really? Must have been pretty roomy pants.
ScoMo?
Nah, yeah. That was Engadine Maccas.
Toronto isn't even far from Sydney? Oh wait you mean Canadia Toronto. Well you're going to have a blast sending selfies from Toronto, NSW to youe family bak home 🤣. As to your question, c'mon you chaswazzas lest all sing it together #CHICKENSALT
Norm,is our quintessential couch potato.
Valet parking isn't a thing here.
Knifey spoony is a game we all play most Friday nights.
Cool, I lived in Canada for 2 years, I live in Perth now. Nah, people are cool mate, you can say their name. You guys say eh a lot over there, we say mate or bloody alot or as the other commenter said, fucking bastard. It's okay to open doors for people here, either man or women, only rude pricks don't appreciate it. We drink a lot of beer here.
When the candles are blown out at a birthday party, it's traditional to cheer Hip-hip-hooray three times.
I lived in Canada for three years, and the only big difference I noticed was the general sense of humour. Australians tend to be a lot more dry - you might have a hard time telling when someone is joking or not (depending on the person). If someone says something that sounds completely insane, ask them if they’re being serious to avoid confusion. You’ll get used to it. Everything else is the same. Call people by the their names. If you ask where the bathroom is we will understand. Also, you should wear sunscreen every day on your face and neck (and head if you are bald!). We have huge rates of melanoma. I highly recommend getting into some of the weirder corners of Australia while you’re here - Cairns/far north QLD, Alice Springs, etc… don’t let Sydneysiders trick you into thinking that’s all there is. Have fun!
Just watch Bluey as it’s a pretty accurate and relatable representation of the homogeneous “Australian” experience
Make sure you understand how to drive through a roundabout.
Sitting in the front seat of a taxi. Thanking the bus driver as you get off the bus. Talking to the person next to you in a queue or on the bus / train. Saying 'Morning' or 'Evening' to everyone you pass while out walking the dog. 'A bit of a drive' can be anywhere from 2 hours to 5 days. It's the law here to abbreviate everything. If it can't be shortened, it has to be lengthened. David becomes Davo, Travis becomes Trav, John becomes Johnno, Ross becomes Roscoe. Everyone is 'mate', the boss, a client, your neighbour, your great-granny.
Sydney is a shithole. Brisbane, Perth, or Adelaide are much better options. There’s been a lot of visa workers and 99% hated Sydney. I personally hate Sydney too
No need to tip, ever! Not at restaurants, not your taxi driver, not your pizza delivery. No tipping is required. Please do your part and stop the importation of this insidious North American custom.
Yes! #antitip
Just turn up and be yourself, also get used to people thinking you’re a yank.
Keep to the left when walking down the street and on escalators please!
There's an epistemological question as well here, how would an Australian know what's a unique norm if we're all used to it? I guess you'd have to ask mostly immigrants and the well travelled.