Jack has recently moved to the States from Australia. We all know Jack is the Aussie and surprisingly there are a ton of Australians in America, but after he moved to The States, he stuck out like a sore thumb like all Australians do!
Wearing “thongs” everywhere (including The Great Wall of China…seriously, who does that?), horrible tipper, calling every person ‘Mate’, it was pretty obvious he wasn’t from here. But to him, that’s normal! Although, both the US and Australia are English speaking countries and seem pretty similar, people don’t think there is a big culture difference.
Boy, is that a huge misconception.
The culture shock is very, very real, but many of us don’t realize how foreign America may be to many tourists! America is portrayed tons in the movies and on TV, but is it anything like that when the tourists arrive? Nope!
Here are a few things that Jack found strange after moving to the US.
1. Tipping and tax
You have $10. Burrito is $8.50. Perfect! You get the bill back and the total is $10.50 plus, you have to add tip, making it $12! WHAT? Why don’t you just put the total price all together?
Tipping and tax on services, food, and products is common knowledge in The US. People would get offended when Jack didn’t tip; “Was my service not ok?”, “Is there something wrong?”…Oops! He had to learn the hard way.
2. Public transport in LA sucks
This could just be an LA thing (since NY does have their public transportation system down), but public transportation sucks in LA compared to Melbourne.
Myki may not be the best system but at least it gets the job done. On the other hand, to preload a metro card in LA takes 48 hours until you see the money on your card.
On top of that, it takes way longer on the bus to get from point A to point B, it just makes no sense. If you know the LA bus system, there are quite a few characters that ride it!
3. Driving on the opposite side of the road
If you think about it, driving on right side of the road makes more sense. It goes clockwise, but in America, we drive on the left, going counterclockwise.
Jack was most thrown off when he had to drive along a roundabout and which way you had to start turning. He also strays to the right when driving–terrifying for me when I am the passenger!
4. Turning right on red
I remember the fear on Jack’s face when I first turned right on a red light. He was in shear panic mode and totally freaked out! They don’t turn on reds in Australia, but in LA, we got to keep the traffic moving!
5. Drinking in America is social not cultural
As an American, we drink to get f*$ked up. Power hour, drinking games, shots, beer olympics- the sole purpose is to get drunk and get crunk. But Aussies love their drinks!
Yes, they do get ‘pissed’ but they drink their beers more for enjoyment. A beer with dinner, a beer while doing homework, a beer just because is totally normal and part of their culture! And in the end, after enjoying a beer or 8, they are ready to go out.
Jack always pregammed to pregames before going out! CHAMP.
6. Pharmacies carry liquor and it’s CHEAP!
Speaking of drinking, drinks are so cheap in the United States. Not only is it cheap but alcohol is found nearly EVERYWHERE, like at a pharmacy!
We have had Aussie friends here buy Grey Goose (the good stuff) because if “they were paying that much money for Smirenoff back home, they might as well pay the same amount for quality drinks!” Damn you, import taxes!!
7. Starbucks is held on a very high pedestal
Why is everyone so obsessed with Starbucks (and Dunkin Donuts) in the US? These coffees are horrible, super sugary, and rather large.
In Melbourne, the coffee culture is huge so drinking a Starbucks is almost offensive! The ‘flat white’ at Starbucks is no where near a ‘flat white’ back in Australia. Nice try, Starbucks, nice try.
8. Coffee shops aren’t usual hangouts
In America, people meet up at bars but in Australia, coffee shops are the best place to catch up with someone and they even have the BEST brunch!
We made it our “thing” to try new coffee shops every sunday, where we had a nice coffee and an amazing poached egg breakfast. The coffee shops in Australia were some of the best places to meet up with people rather than a bar and the greatest place for a delicious brunch.
It may be a culture thing, but it’s damn good and there isn’t much like it in the States.
9. Just use the metric system already!
Miles is how many feet? How many inches are in a yard? Millimeters, centimeters, meters, Kilometers, it all goes by 10. Easy and done.
10. Free refills
This is unheard of in Australia. I’ll have ONE coke, please. Refilled 12 times, thanks.
11. Paying for condiments
In Australia, you have to pay for condiments. $0.50 for a packet of ketchup is a joke. In America, you can get UNLIMITED CONDIMENTS!!!
Ketchup, mayo, mustard, relish, sugar, extra pickles, In N Out secret sauce, tapatio, soy sauce, it is condiment galore and it’s all FREE! That’s how we stock our kitchen with condiments, with a heap of free condiments from restaurants served to you in a basket. Thanks America!
12. Frat parties
Frat parties are such a foreign concept to Australians. After seeing Van Wilder and Old School, hazing, drinking every night, the coolest parties and getting all these girls seems like a dream!
These don’t happen in Australia, they just have American themed parties advertised with beer pong and red cups. Frat parties is a huge part of the college experience and it is very different to the college life in Australia.
13. Why do people always ask me if I drink Fosters, eat vegemite, get attacked by wildlife and ride Kangaroos to school?
All of these are false stereotypes, apart from riding a Kangaroo to School. That actually happens…
but actually, please send us Vegemite, we are in dire need.
14. Americans and their Gun laws
Were gonna let Sir Jim Jefferies explain that one…Spot on. #WeLoveJimJefferies
15. Everyone drinks LITE Beers
“It makes me less bloated”, “it’s cheaper” NO… If you are drinking beer to get drunk, drink full strength. It’s cheaper to drink fewer full-strength beers than many lite beers. It must be an American thing, because Lite beers seem to always be first choice. Buck up and drink full strength and always choose beers over tears!
16. Australians work to live and Americans live to work
This is something Jack quickly learned after getting a 9-5 job. In America, they work you to the bone for minimal benefits and pay. But in Australia, you work to live.
Once you finish work, you hang out with friends, go to a bar, and enjoy yourself. Most people in America, finish work, go home, and do more work. It is a different mind set, which ultimately leads to Australia being a much happier and laid back country.
**Yes, this was written by me, Jenn, a non-Australian, but I have consulted with Jack to write this post based on his opinions!
This post should have been called “things the whole world in america finds weird” lol except maybe the driving on the right side part. Thats a weird thing about Australia :D
haha very true!! I forgot to mention portion sizes, I think thats a truly American feat!
4. We totally turn left at red lights in Australia. It has to be signed, but you’ll find a lot of intersections in Sydney have them
15. the “lite” generally refers to carbs, not alcoholic content
I suppose we went off Jacks opinions as a Melbournian- and I dont think they turn right on reds there! But good to know about sydney!
Yea, I agree with all these, especially the metric system (love those graphics). I mean, runners run a 5K or 10K but then a marathon is measured in…miles? Who the hell thought of that?
So much for generalizations. I’m an American and I’ve never had a lite beer. I read books so I hang out in coffee house as do a crowds of others i know –we avoid Starbucks. I’ve always avoided frat parties. Last time I was in Mexico City condiment packets were free, plus there was a large clear plexiglass bin at McD’s to drop your unused packets–which was filled with thousands to be reused! In the US tons of condiment packets end up in the trash and in cars and refrigerators. When I was in Hong Kong the Aussies were known as bar flies or bar sludge.(no offense–just what I heard) Yet, when in Tokyo, the only Aussie I met was an actor who didn’t drink but practiced meditation. If you think alchohol is cheap in Beverly Hills, go to Las Vegas for cheap booze and steak and eggs for breakfast.
We apologize if you feel offended by this post, this was just Jacks (a Melbourne Boy) experience after he moved to LA. Im an american and never had beer either, but since we were both here during college, he experienced both his first frat party and noticed many lite beer drinkers. Frat parties is something that is very American and different to college life in Australia which he loved! Coffee houses, although great in the States, are just different vibes than the ones here than the ones we have been to in Australia. Again, these were just observations from Jacks perspectives after to moving to LA so apologies if this offended you in anyway. Happy travels!
We apologize if you feel offended by this post, this was just Jacks (a Melbourne Boy) experience after he moved to LA. Im an american and never had beer either, but since we were both here during college, he experienced both his first frat party and noticed many lite beer drinkers. Frat parties is something that is very American and different to college life in Australia which he loved! Coffee houses, although great in the States, are just different vibes than the ones here than the ones we have been to in Australia. Again, these were just observations from Jacks perspectives after to moving to LA so apologies if this offended you in anyway. Happy travels!
hahah the measurements are just all over the place, like it makes sense but they measure themselves in feet!!
Bar sludge (??!!) no offence.
People hear nasty things said all the time, but it does not need to be repeated.
Just because you say ” no offence” doesn’t make a rude comment non-offensive
This is very funny! We’re American, but we spent 7 months last year in Australia. Everyone asked us if we drove big cars and had guns! hahaha, apparently that’s Americas legacy.
We found Australia to be expensive, especially when we arrived in Perth and two pints were $21.50!! But I think it’s comparable to large American cities. :)
Cheers!
Everyone used to ask me if I knew Celebrities! (dont you worry, my experiences will come too :)!!). Australia was scarily expensive but things are starting to even out price wise to LA which is also terrifying!
Happy travels!
LOL, dead on post! From an American.
Note; when I arrived in Sydney, and was asked if I wanted “chips” with my burger, the McD’s employee received my vacant stare for about 10 seconds. He meant french fries :) Other than that, nothing is weird in Oz ;)
Thanks for the fun share!
Ryan
Chips!! YES so true. The post of the American going to Australia is coming soon! There were some weird things but I loved Aus so much. Just a different culture. I always got asked if I see Celebrities ALL THE TIME! hehe
Oh my gosh- I found this hilarious! I’m British and recently got my permanent residency (I’m married to an American) and moved to California! I’m down in Newport Beach- so not far from you! I’m actually in the process of writing my own, very similar post- but Jack nailed it I think. I guess we Aussies and Brits are quite similar to each other than we are to you Americans hehehe! Though why does everyone think I have an Aussie accent here?! Ha!
Thank you! Thats so funny- Jack gets British ALL THE TIME! But if you are ever down in LA message us so we can meet up for coffee! :)
Another American woman with a Melbourne guy…welcome!
Just seeing this now…hope your enjoying it here even with the cold raining weather at the moment. We also watch American TV and Film as well as listen to their Music. A friend showed me a meme that it’s more exciting watching a Brick wall than watching Neighbours or Home & Away…the scene over there is the best (Comic con, events, premieres, way more concerts etc.)
I had to be shown Tipping in Los Angeles and met some great people (would be perfect to be in Hawaii at the moment). All the best!
This description is way too generalized for serious consideration. The USA is a country of over 300 million people. Far too many Australians go to LA and think it represents America. That is like going to Surfers Paradise and thinking its a microcosm of Oz…….
Loved this! I’m an Australian and found this so funny. I loved hearing what Jack’s experiences have been. I’d be baffled with the metric system being different, too. That’d do my head in. Keep the posts coming. Cheers :)
Lol none of these are true outside LA. LA, thankfully is NOT America.
On my first visit to Australia (WA, Perth), nearly everyone asked me how I could stand to live in a place where everyone was getting shot at all the time. I’m like, I’ve never seen anyone get shot, known anyone who was shot at or even known anyone who has been the victim of a violent crime. The response was nuts, apparently they think that what they see on the news is indicative of everyday life for every American.