British expat’s big culture shock since moving to Melbourne

A British expat moved to Melbourne just a few weeks ago and he’s already been left stunned by a few “unexpected things”.

A British man has revealed the biggest culture shocks he got after moving to Australia just a few weeks ago.

Beau, who goes by the handle ‘beaugoespro’ on TikTok, relocated to Melbourne two weeks ago and in that time he has noticed a “few unexpected things”.

In a now viral clip that’s amassed almost 1 million views, Beau harps on about the tap water, shocked by how “delicious” it tastes.

“The water in the taps in Australia tastes exquisite,” he says.

“It’s delicious, it’s fresh, it’s cold. It tastes like bottled water.”

Beau, from the UK, shared a TikTok about the most ‘unexpected’ things he’s encountered since moving to Australia a few weeks ago. Picture: TikTok/beaugoespro

It immediately attracted a wave of comments from Melburnians, who agreed that the water in their city is “the best”.

“Melbourne tap water is delish! Not always the same around Aus unfortunately,” one person wrote.

Another said: “Melbs has the best water on Australia and is right up there world apparently,” while a third added: “Melbourne water is superior. I live in Perth now. the water tastes chunky here haha”.

He was shocked by how good the water in Melbourne tastes. Picture: TikTok/beaugoespro

He likened it to bottle water, saying it tastes ‘delicious’. Picture: TikTok/beaugoespro

Indeed, Victoria is known for its amazing tap water after it was crowned as having the best in the country in 2022.

But this year it went to Tasmania, winning the IXOM Best Tasting Tap Water in Australia title with its sample from TasWater’s Fern Tree water treatment plant.

Last year’s winner was Melbourne Water’s Cresswell water treatment plant, so the 2023 event was held in their area.

Sadly, Victoria was not able to compete for this year’s national title. Victorian Desal Plant, the 2023 state winner for Victoria, is not operational, so could not provide a sample for the competition.

He’s not wrong either. Victoria was crowned as having the best tap water in the country in 2022. But this year it went to Tasmania. Picture: TikTok/beaugoespro

Water samples are judged on colour, clarity, odour and taste. Think ‘wine tasting’ without needing to spit out the samples and you won’t be far wrong.

Back to Beau’s culture shock clip.

He also couldn’t quite grasp why we call “peppers” capsicums.

“I’ll be honest, I’m not surprised that hasn’t caught on anywhere else in the world. Imagine a band called the Red Hot Chili Capsicums. No ring to it,” he joked.

Viewers were quick to correct him with one pointing out — “A chilli is not a capsicum it’s a chilli”.

He couldn’t quite grasp ‘capsicums’. Picture: TikTok/beaugoespro

He loved how affordable public transport is compared to the UK, but disliked how long it takes for traffic lights to change. Picture: TikTok/beaugoespro

“We still have chilli peppers capsicum isn’t chilli (sic),” another added alongside a laughing emoji.

The vlogger’s next notable difference was the price of public transport, which he found to be much cheaper.

“Public transport is extremely reasonably priced here, or is it just priced correctly, I don’t know,” he said.

He was also baffled by the concept of schooners. Picture: TikTok/beaugoespro

“We’re getting swindled in the UK, we’re getting ripped off. Here [Melbourne] you travel unlimited for just a day – which is about five pounds.”

One expat agreed saying, “Melbourne public transport is best I’ve ever experienced yet the locals complain at how bad it is”.

“I thought so as well until I travelled overseas, and I didn’t even see the best ones like Japan.”

However, one thing he’s not a fan of are the traffic lights, saying they take “forever” to change.

“You will be waiting at a junction for five minutes. You will get old waiting there,” he joked.

He found that one of the biggest contrasts between life in the UK and Australia was the concept of a schooner of beer.

“It’s pointless to me. It’s futile. If we’re going for a beer, we’re having a couple pints. At the very least, we have a half pint in a novelty glass,” he said.

One Aussie said: “A schooner is bigger than a half pint, and just the right size!”

Another added: “In all Australian states other than South Australia, a “schooner” is a 425 ml (15imp fl oz), or three-quarters of an imperial pint pre-metrication.”