Think you’re a local? Where do you stand on these ‘unwritten’ rules?
Reckon you’re a local? Where do you stand on these ‘unwritten’ rules of being a Sydneysider? SEE THE LIST.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Think you’re a local? Where do you stand on these ‘unwritten’ rules of Sydney?
Reddit users were asked to share their top tips for living in Sydney – if you’re thinking of moving to the Harbour City, take these on board.
Have we missed any? Let us know in the comments.
Buy sunscreen before you get to the beach ... beachside convenience stores are pricey.
Schooners are better than pints unless you like warm beer.
Be prepared to answer where you went to school for all eternity.
If you drive a BMW and put your hazard lights on, you’re automatically exempt from all traffic and parking laws in Sydney
Cafes are open early but also close early. If you want a coffee after 3pm, your best bet is probably McDonald’s or 7/11.
Keep to the left on escalators, staircases and footpaths, unless you want to be met with sighs and eyerolls.
If you are driving on a main road – surprise – you may quickly need to change lanes. Depending on the day and time, people can use them to park.
Storming? Get away from those gumtrees. They are known as widow-makers.
Your house will be full of dehumidifiers and damp collectors. And mould remover is never far away.
It’s hot? Train delays. Raining? Train delays. Neither of those? Train strikes. We’ve done lots of stories – check them out!
On the train: if someone is in one of the single seats that face each other then you are to only take the other seat if - and only if - every other seat is taken in the carriage. No one finds this comfortable.
Keep to the left on the footpath or any pedestrian area. If you’re going to walk side-by-side with friends be aware of your surroundings and move aside for people wanting to overtake you.
Don’t delay at traffic lights when the light turns green, you’ve only got 0.000000000001 seconds before someone behind you will honk the horn.
You will, at some point, see someone clipping their toenails on the train.
You must ask a cabbie or Uber driver if they’ve had a busy night as soon as you’re buckled in. No ifs, no buts.
Bring something to a gathering or when invited to someone’s house, even if you’re told not to.
Do not feed cockatoos around your property … unless you want to be woken by screeching hordes every day at 5am.
Someone let you in on the road? Make sure you wave!
If you want a good spot on the sand, get there early unless you want to lose it to a beach cabana.
If you’re not wearing linen, you’re in activewear.
Get whatever card you’re tapping on/off the trains with out of your wallet BEFORE you get to the gates. I get so annoyed when someone blocks the gates because they can’t find the card they want.
If someone greets you with “how are you”, you never respond honestly or in much detail. A “not too bad” is the worst you may say. Answering the question by saying “how are you” back is perfectly acceptable.
The Sydney Walk … where people in Sydney look straight ahead and don’t acknowledge anyone while they are walking on the street. You avoid eye contact and you don’t say hello, even if you know them.
Always take the first parking space you see in a car park even if it means creating a massive queue of traffic behind you.
Don’t use a golf umbrella when it’s raining and you’re walking in the city. Also be aware of other people with your umbrella. It’s nice that you’re dry, but I don’t need your umbrella in my face.
More Coverage
Originally published as Think you’re a local? Where do you stand on these ‘unwritten’ rules?
Cops, judges clash: Law & disorder as courts go soft on youth bail
Senior judges have slammed toughened youth bail laws, but police want them to be even stronger to protect regional towns constantly under siege from under-age crime.
How the government plans to fix Northern Beaches bus crisis
MPs and locals say the Northern Beaches bus system is in ‘crisis’ between growing queues, cancellations and commute blowouts. Plans to get buses back on the road and drivers behind the wheel could be the key to ending the chaos.