8 Fascinating Things I’m Learning About Australian vs. American Life
We speak the same language — sort of
I’ve just returned to the US after spending 3 weeks in Australia with my husband. We do a lot of travel between the two continents thanks to our international marriage and we’ll have more of this back-and-forth lifestyle as we work through the US immigration process. This time around I felt less like a tourist and more like an honorary resident.
Before meeting my husband, I figured Australia wasn’t so different from America. As I settle into Australian life a little more with each visit, I’m more aware of my Americanness (I never knew I had an accent!). Along the way, I’m learning how similar, yet how different, our countries are and I’ve come to enjoy Australian life. Here are a few things that caught my attention as an American in Australia:
Cursing goes with the territory
In Australia dropping the causal C-bomb is about as common as lighter versions of salty language in the US (this is also true of the UK). The F-word is often used for emphasis in many a conversation. I find it refreshing and authentic, though we Americans might be perceived as more prudish in this department than our Aussie counterparts.
I’m expanding my vocabulary
While both countries are English speaking nations, the vocabulary varies. A sweater is a jumper in Australia. The hood of your car is a bonnet, and the trunk is the boot. A few other fun words:
- Biker gangs are bikies in Australia (makes them sound almost cute and cuddly!)
- Parking lots are car parks
- Afternoon is Arvo
- While we great people by asking “How are you doing?” in Australia it’s “How are you going?”
- When something goes wrong, it’s gone pear shaped
- When we root for someone in America, we’re cheering them on. In Australia be careful who you root for — it’s slang for sexual intercourse, as in “having a root.”
- A lazy person is a bludger and the art of being lazy is bludging.
Driving is an experience
Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right-hand side of the car. The idea of driving on what I perceived as the “wrong side of the road” had me flat out intimidated.
My husband got me out of my comfort zone and I did a lot more driving this visit. I’m learning it’s not so bad. The key is to stay focused and pay attention. It doesn’t hurt to follow the car ahead of you so you don’t end up barreling head-long into oncoming traffic.
Coffee is serious stuff
Aussies don’t mess around when it comes to coffee. I didn’t understand why my hubby teased me mercilessly about my Nespresso machine (Don’t worry Nespresso, they’ll have to pry that thing out of my cold dead hand when I’m dead).
Despite my Nespresso addiction, I now get it. I have a deep respect for the way Aussies do coffee. It’s a stronger, more robust brew and the country has a distinct coffee culture. No matter where you go, you’ll find a slew of café options. Most people have their favorite that they frequent and everyone knows each other by name.
Coffee is an experience in Australia. People actually take time to slow down, sit down, relax and connect over coffee. It’s a different vibe than America where we like to grab our java juice on the go (drive through Starbucks anyone?).
Same month — different season
In the span of your international plane ride, you can go from the blazing heat of summer to the icy chill of winter — and vice versa. Australia is south of the equator, so the season is dead opposite of what we’re living with in America at any given time. Fancy Christmas in summer? Head to Australia for the holidays.
Check the weather and don’t forget to pack a sweater (or shorts!) for your journey. Traveling in spring and fall is easiest, as the weather is similar in both hemispheres during these seasons.
The Metric System
Australia converted from the imperial measure we use in America to the metric system in the 1970’s. We tried the same thing around that time, but failed miserably. Fun fact: America is one of only 3 countries using imperial measures (the other 2 are Myanmar and Liberia).
I’m starting to get the hang of kilometers versus miles and after negotiations at the deli counter, I’m getting a handle on grams and kilograms. One thing’s for sure: driving 110 in Australia is very different — and far less exciting — than doing 110 in America.
Kentucky Fried Chicken is a thing in Australia
The juxtaposition of American southern friend chicken and the land down under was one I wasn’t expecting. KFC is a big deal in Australia. The Colonel sponsors a lot of major sporting events and you’ll find that familiar red and white logo dotting the landscape with cars cued up at the drive through.
The good news: if you’re craving a bucket of The Colonel’s secret recipe extra crispy, you can get your fix in Australia.
Traffic is a universal phenomenon
I was naive thinking traffic was a uniquely American thing. Sydney traffic and the aggressive city driving style caught me unawares. Most roadways around the city are surface streets that are jam-packed with cars most times of the day. While Aussies are some of the nicest people you’ll meet, they won’t hesitate to jam their car into the smallest opening without notice.
Traversing Sydney is reminiscent of San Francisco where it can take a good hour or more to cross from one side of the city to the other. One thing you won’t find in San Francisco: the vast network of lengthy underground tunnels running beneath Sydney that allows drivers to avoid the surface streets.
You can’t buy alcohol at the grocery store
In America you can grab your favorite libation just about anywhere; the grocery store, the drug store, the gas station. In Australia you won’t find a drop of the stuff in the grocery store or pharmacy (drug store). Instead, you’ll have to venture to the bottle shop — the equivalent of the American liquor store for your beer, wine and hard liquor.
I love the time I spend in Australia. The people are super friendly and everyone I’ve met has made me feel at home even though I’m 7,500 miles away from the familiar landscape of America. I’ve fallen in love with the place, and I’ve come to count Australia as my 2nd home country. I’m excited to keep learning more as I spend more time there.
