Australia is not a tipping country. Most food and drink businesses will accept a tip if you have found service exceptional but tipping is never expected. Australia has strong fair work laws and reasonable rates of pay, therefore prices are often higher but tipping is not required.
--KellieG
311
Don't even attempt to joke about "putting another shrimp on the barbie" or "G'day mate", or the "Fosters is Australian for beer" tagline from American commercials. People don't find it funny, so it's not worth it.
--Zoolander
162
Do not use the word "bum" unless you mean it as someone's buttocks. Australians don't seem to think "bum" means "vagrant". Calling someone a lazy bum is not vulgar, but it's not what you think.
--Rad
114
Never say “rooting “ for a team. Rooting here is a vulgar term for s€x. Also, we have “bum bags”, not “fanny packs”. The term “fanny” here is a slang term for v@gin@
--Furkidmum
50
Being pissed is to be drunk. Piss is slang for alcohol specifically beer.
--Muskat
40
In Australia "rooting" is not cheering or encouragement but is slang for sexualising intercourse.
--Muskat
30
In Far North Queensland -- for men and women -- don't wear socks with sandals. If you're wearing short pants and sneakers, don't wear normal-length socks. Wear girls socks. I.e. wear socks that don't come out much from your sneakers.
--Rad
108
Don’t expect immediate unwrapping: In some social settings, it’s common to wait to open gifts until later rather than in front of the giver.
--Jack
10
Don’t write a person’s name in red ink: Writing someone's name in red ink is considered bad luck and can signify that the person will die soon.
--Jack
00
Don’t have peacock feathers indoors: Peacock feathers are considered unlucky and are believed to bring bad luck if kept inside the home
--Jack
00
Learn local way to pronounce Aussie words. Canberra - can + bruh, like brother. Melbourne - Mel + burn, w/ weak r. Indooroopilly - indrapilly. Brisbane - briz + bin. Dymocks - dimmix. Maersk - mirsk. Stockland - land as in Maryland. Cairns - cans. Bondi/Murrurundi/Quirindi - di like die.
--Rad
91
We love our oceans, but they can be dangerous, it is NOT like swimming in a pool! Always follow the advice signs. Swim between the lifesaver flags.
--KellieG
70
Do avoid sweeping your house at night: Sweeping at night is thought to sweep away good luck
--Jack
00
Do appreciate the local cuisine: Be willing to try local foods, such as Vegemite, Tim Tams, and Lamingtons.
--Jack
00
Do bring your own drink to a party: It’s common to bring your own alcohol (BYO) to social gatherings
--Jack
00
Do keep a spider in the house: In some beliefs, having a spider in the house is considered good luck, as it means money is coming.
--Jack
00
Do bring a plate: When invited to a gathering, it’s common to bring a plate of food to share.
--Jack
00
Do use sunscreen: Australia has a high rate of skin cancer, so using sunscreen is a common and important practice.
--Jack
