Expat lists unwritten rules of Australia

There are a lot of rules expats need to remember when moving Down Under – but one has listed the 20 most important.

A forum that provides advice for travellers visiting Australia has some thoroughly entertaining wisdom for people heading Down Under.

Replying to the question, “What are some of the unwritten rules in Australia?” Quora user Adita Udayana wrote: “As an Indonesian, I’d like to answer the question from an Asian perspective. To Australians or other Western countries, my answer will probably sound ridiculously obvious.”

His post has since generated more than 2800 likes.

His first point is in relation to water conservation – something that baffles many visitors to Australia, Escape reports.

It’s true that many Aussies have been taught to take short showers and conserve water. Picture: iStock

“NEVER leave the water tap running when unused, even for one second. Australians are super efficient with water. Using the water efficiently is like taking your shoes off in an Asian person’s home,” he wrote.

He also has plenty to add about etiquette on Australian roads.

“When you’re driving and someone gives way for you, smack that thumb up, do the gentle nod and mouth “thanks mate” even if they can’t hear it.”

“Also, if you’re the one crossing the road, you have to jog a little … even the seniors would sprint to the other end.”

Use that horn sparingly. Picture: iStock

He continues: “Australians follow the speed limit spiritually – don’t drive too fast or too slow. Don’t tailgate and never use the car horn unless you’re about to crash, even then, I think Aussies instinctively don’t use the horn when it happens. Using the horn is like saying, ‘F**k you.’”

He also has a word of warning when it comes to culinary etiquette.

“The no double dipping rule … If you are sharing a sauce with someone, don’t double dip the bitten part of the food back on the sauce. Double dipping is like kissing mouth to mouth in Australia.”

You have one shot at the title. Make that dip count. Picture: iStock

The remainder of his tips read like this:

1. If you live in Australia for some time, you’ll notice Aussies speak in this super friendly casual tone. The sooner you learn to speak like it, the better your interactions will be with the people.

2. Behaving like a boss is a recipe for disaster in Australia, even if you’re the son of Jack Ma, they don’t give a sh*t. Australians don’t tolerate super assertive behaviours in public setting or even professionally. Treat everyone equally. No snapping fingers, no whistles.

3. Show some manners: The words thank you and please are overused in Australia, but that’s just how it is.

4. If you’re having a house party, it is a crime not to invite your surrounding neighbours especially if it’s going to go on ’til late.

5. It’s also a crime to jump in on queues, it’s one free ticket to confrontation with an Australian. If you’re not sure where the queues begin, simply ask.

6. Adding mate to the end of sentences will make you sound friendly. Even if you’re a foreigner with an accent, people will respect you a little more.

Heading to a barbie? Don’t turn up empty-handed. Picture: iStock

7. If you’re on public transportation, please for the love of god, don’t answer phone calls or make calls. If you really have to, keep it super quiet or find an empty area to make those calls.

8. Bring beer to a barbecue or wine to a dinner party.

9. Don’t touch or get physical when interacting with people unless you know them well enough. People take personal space seriously, skin to skin contact with a stranger is like a threat; even a small bump, you’ll have to say sorry.

10. If you carry a luggage and you’re getting in a taxi or Uber, help the driver even if it’s not so heavy. Getting right inside the car while the driver is still lifting the luggage is pretty disrespectful.

11. It’s weird to take selfies in public, especially in busy areas.

12. Chewing food with your mouth open or making absurd chewing noises will get you deported.

13. You can call people by their last names. In fact, some bosses like to be addressed with their first or last names and without the Mr/Mrs/Miss.

14. If you cough or sneeze, please cover it up. Leave the room, use the tissue to block your mouth and nostrils, and always say sorry or excuse me afterwards.

Nude beaches

Getting naked on a beach in parts of Europe is no big deal. But nude beaches are banned in one Aussie state. Picture: iStock

On another Quora thread, a visitor to Australia from Europe warned that Aussies’ attitude to nude beaches is very different from back home.

In fact, he warns there’s one state where nude beaches are completely outlawed.

It turns out he is right – Queensland is the only mainland state in Australia that has no legal nude beaches.

In 2016 then-police minister Bill Byrne rejected two attempts – a paper petition with 527 signatures and an online petition bearing 946 names – to create a “clothing optional beach” in the Sunshine State.

According to the Brisbane Times, Mr Byrne said the state’s Public Safety Business Agency advised Queensland’s wilful exposure laws were designed to protect citizens and keep them safe.

“As such, I can advise that the Queensland government has no plans to change the current legislation dealing with wilful exposure,” he said.

“Therefore, the designation of a clothing-optional beach is not supported at this time.”

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This story originally appeared on Escape and is republished here with permission