title goes here understanding australian customs

Title Goes HereUNDERSTANDING

AUSTRALIAN CUSTOMS

GREETINGSIn Australia there are manydifferent ways of greeting people

Men usually shake hands when greeting other men and sometimes when greeting females

In work or social situations women may also shake hands to greet each other

Understanding Australian Customs


Formal Greetings are:“How do you do?”“Good Morning”“Good Afternoon”

Young people usually greet other people with “Hello” or “Hi”

Sometimes it is nice to use someone’s name when greeting them: e.g. “Hi, John”


SOCIAL INVITATIONS Social Invitations can be received informally

(telephone) or formally (written note). It is good to reply quickly and honestly to

invitations RSVP means “Please Reply” by the date that

is stated It is polite to ring to let your friend/colleague

know if you are going to be late/delayed

When going out for lunch/dinner or to the movies/theatre with friends usually you will pay for yourself

If your friend offers to “shout” this means they will pay for you. If you are not sure, make sure to ask!



SERVANTS

In Australia servants are very uncommonIf you are used to having a servant in your

home country you will need to adjust to helping out in your homestay home

In Australia males often help with housework and this is not considered shameful

Some families may hire someone to do their cleaning or gardening for them

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“BRING A PLATE” While in Australia you may be invited to a barbeque (BBQ)

and you may be asked to “Bring a Plate” This means bring a plate of food not an empty plate! You may like to take along some chips and dip or you may

like to take a plate of food from your home country


BYO – Bring Your Own If you are told that a party is BYO this means that

you are expected to bring your own drinks – either soft drink or alcohol.

Some restaurants are also BYO. At these restaurants it is acceptable to bring your own alcohol – usually beer or wine. Soft drinks will be available to purchase.


CONVERSATIONS

Don’t be worried if you are not fluent in English. Conversations are a great way to practise your spoken English.

If you are having a conversation and an English speaker is speaking too fast, ask them to speak slowly – this will not be seen as rude!

Sometimes it is rude to ask certain questions. For example it is not polite to ask people their age (especially an older person).

It is also not polite to ask men and women how much money they earn.

If you would like to know the cost of something, ask the question in a general way. Instead of saying “How much did your jeans cost?” you could say “What is the average price of a pair of jeans?”


SAYING THANK YOU Thank you is a phrase used often in Australia

In Australia it is polite to thank shop assistants and waiters after they have provided a service to you

If you are invited to a celebration (birthday or Christmas) it is polite to take a small gift. The gift shouldn’t be expensive but it should be thoughtful, either flowers, chocolates or a souvenir from your home country.


USING NAMES Australians usually have two or three names. The last

name is their family name or surname and the first one or two are their given names.

On official documents it is important that you always write your name in the same order.

In Australia names are written First Name, Second/Middle Name ( if you have one), Last Name. Some official documents may ask for your Last Name to be written first.

If you are unsure – make sure you ask for help!


Guidelines on the use of names: First names are used more frequently in Australia.

It is usually okay to use a person’s first name if he or she is about the same age as you or younger.

Teachers at your school will like you to call them using Mr, Ms, Miss, and Mrs. For Example, Mr Smith or Ms Brown.

Ms is used for both single and married women. If you are unsure you should address women with Ms.

In Australia most high school students call their female teachers “Ms” and their male teacher “Sir”.


Guidelines on the use of names: If you are unsure what to call someone

just ask, “What shall I call you?” If people seem unsure what to call you, tell them

the name you prefer. Using “nicknames” in Australia is very common. A

nickname is not a person’s real name but a name given by friends or it may be a shorter version of a person’s first name.

For instance someone named Andrew may be called Andy by their friends.

Nicknames are often a sign of acceptance and affection.


MEALS

Australians eat 3 meals a day:Breakfast (6am to 8am)Lunch (12 noon to 2pm)Dinner or “tea” (6pm to 7pm, or sometimes later)

Supper is only common after an evening social event and is usually tea/coffee and a light snack

Breakfast Lunch Dinner


MEALS

While you are in Australia you will usually have breakfast and dinner with your Homestay family.

Most schools have “canteens” or “tuckshops” where you can buy your morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.

Most school students take food from home for their meals during the school day.

Buying your lunch at school can cost up to $10 per day

Understanding AustraliaCustoms

TABLE MANNERS

Australians eat with their fingers only at barbecues or picnics.

Inside the house, you are usually invited to sit down at a dinner table and it is polite to use knives, forks and spoons.

Feel free to ask your Homestay family if you prefer to eat according to your own country’s custom.

In Australia there is no cultural significance in eating with your left or right hand.

Understanding AustralianCustoms

TABLE MANNERSIf you have medical, dietary or religious reasons for not eating certain foods, it is important to let your Homestay family know.

It is Australian Custom to offer food and drink only once. If you say “No” out of politeness, your “No” may be taken literally and may not be offered again.

When wanting to leave the dinner table it is polite to ask for permission to leave the table.

Australian families practice many different religions and it isn’t always common for a family to pray before eating meals. Your Homestay family may or may not practice the same religion as you.

Understanding AustralianCustoms

TIPPINGTipping is not the usual custom in Australia except in the more expensive restaurants.

If the service has been above satisfactory, people usually tip the waiter or waitress about 10% of the bill.

Tips are not given in cafes or fast food outlets (like Macdonalds).

Sometimes Taxi Drivers are given small change as a tip.

Hairdressers do not accept tips.


BARGAINING

In Australia you can’t bargain for food items.

Goods are sold according to the price they are marked.

In some street and weekend markets you may be able to bargain.


WHAT NOT TO DO IN PUBLICIt is against the law to do the following inpublic places:

SwearTalk indecentlyUrinateBehave in a sexually indecent way

In Australia there are local council regulations against spitting. If you need to clear your throat or nose, use a handkerchief or a tissue.

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ENJOY AUSTRALIA

title goes here understanding australian customs

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