Cultural Differences

 

 

Aside from the Aussie accent, there are some pretty major differences that you should know about before leaving for Downunder.  

1.  Driving.  You will soon notice that the steering column is on the wrong side of the car.  With the steering column on the right side of the car, it is important that you travel on the left side of the road.  If you hold a valid US drivers license, you may drive in Australia.  

2.  Rent.  When looking for rental property, it is important to know that they will list the property on weekly rental scale.  For instance, the property may be listed as $300/week.  

3.  Gas.  They measure it as liters/kilometer, and of course sell gas in liters.  There are 3.8 liters to the gallon, we usually rounded up to 4.  And there are 1.6 kilometers in a mile

4. Roundabouts.  These are everywhere you go, very different than the U.S, the guy on your right has the right of way

5. Takeway=Takeout food

6. FOOTIE- now this big and confusing it refers to Australian rule football, rugby (which is huge) and soccer

7. Cricket- Yup, they play this too, and if you go to a match expect to stay all day

8. Melbourne Cup- Held in November, this is analogous to our Kentucky Derby, but it is a national holiday and people get dressed up for it nationwide

9. Coffee- very, very confusing.  First off in the hospital they often use instant, imagine our surprise. At home, most people have their own water heaters and then use a french coffee press.  We started making our coffee this way and are still hooked on it, it is awesome. 

10. Flat whie- This is basically a latte, they then also say tall or short for size, or black for straight up,no milk.

11. Kangaroos-  Our deer are like their kangaroos, you see them grazing in fields while you are driving, and some people think they are cute and some think of them as pests, because they get into gardens, etc

12. Cane toads- these buggers are pretty much hated by all Australians as they have no natural predators and they secrete a toxin.  

13.  Spiders- Lots of types some poisonous, some not, we were never bothered by any, but did see some huge ones

14. Snakes- Lots of poisonous one, we were never bothered by these either

 

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