‘Shocking’: US expat’s unexpected Coles discovery

An American woman living in Melbourne has copped criticism from Aussies after sharing her “wild” discoveries in supermarkets Down Under.

A US expat has copped backlash from Aussie shoppers after sharing the things she finds “shocking” about supermarkets Down Under.

In a video on Thursday, TikTok user Tate – who moved from California to Melbourne – was surprised by, among other things, the variety of Tim Tam flavours available, an entire display of Vegemite, and the large selection of fresh produce at Coles.

“Things at the Australian supermarkets that are shocking to me as an American,” she captioned the clip, excitedly showing her “wild” discoveries.

A US expat copped backlash from Aussie shoppers after the video. Picture: TikTok

Her comments about seeing Vegemite on the shelf were misinterpreted. Picture: TikTok

But some viewers misinterpreted Tate’s enthusiasm for criticism, misguidedly slamming her in the comments.

“Girl... the Australia shop [sic] are the best,” one wrote.

Another teased: “Don’t ever call [capsicums] bell peppers again; you live in Australia now you call them capsicum.”

“Things in [an] American store that shock me as an Australian. ‘GUNS’,” a third commented.

“So many Tim Tams? Have you seen how many Oreos you guys have?” said a fourth, while another questioned: “Why are these [things] shocking?”

She was also surprised by the large variety of TimTam flavours. Picture: TikTok

One person criticised her for calling capsicums ‘bell peppers’. Picture: TikTok

The backlash prompted Tate to post another video, responding to a user who told her to “shut up”.

“Girl, no, because I never said that,” she said in the clip.

“Everyone seems to be confused. Tell me where in this video I said that your foods or shops are worse?

“I literally was saying, ‘Oh my God, this is so exciting, so new.’ If you went to a grocery store in another country, things are gonna shock you. Like, I’ve never seen Vegemite on an aisle shelf in a [US] grocery store. That’s shocking.”

The backlash prompted Tate to post another video. Picture: TikTok

She added that her video “doesn’t mean I hate all of the foods that are here”.

“Or that America is better or has better foods – no. I was even saying, like, some of the things are so good and I wish we had them,” Tate said.

“So before you guys come for me and start bringing up crazy comments – like people talking about, ‘Oh you’re just upset because we don’t have guns’ – like, what? What? Get it together.”