| Australia can be a quite diverse place for newcomers. | | | | be surprised to see summer skies instead of white |
| Even if one arrived here to live permanently or simply | | | | snow this coming Christmas season (which is, by the |
| to tour the country on an Australian ETA visa, you will | | | | way, very near). However, after just a few months |
| definitely be amazed by the myriad of people here. | | | | stay, you will likely get used to it. |
| And if you are American, you are likely be amazed | | | | More important then learning about local conventions is |
| even further at how these people get along with each | | | | learning how to interact with the locals themselves. |
| other. | | | | You will be quite surprised to find out that Australians |
| Let's face it, Americans can be quite dumbfounded as | | | | know more about Americans and American culture |
| to how other cultures work. Thus, it is not uncommon | | | | than you do about them. Thus in order to prepare |
| to find them amazed, and sometimes shocked, at the | | | | yourself, be sure to read plenty about Australian |
| different social norms that they Encounter when | | | | culture. Also try watching some Australian films to get |
| traveling abroad. And this is, in fact, very true of | | | | a better feel of local customs, Crocodile Dundee is one |
| Americans coming to Australia, where most of the | | | | of the best recommends that Australians will give you |
| people are Caucasians like them. | | | | (seriously). |
| Thus, for Americans visiting or planning to live in | | | | Also note that Aussies are very fond of conversations |
| Australia, here are some reminders that can help you | | | | as a way to socialize or simply pass time. So be sure |
| in adjusting to life in Australia. These can also be quite | | | | to carry a lot of material with you, to engage in a good |
| handy for avoiding some rather embarrassing | | | | chat with your friends. One thing to watch out for is |
| situations. | | | | that Australians are highly sensitive about negative |
| First thing you probably need to sort out are the | | | | remarks regarding their country, so you need to watch |
| conventions needed for day to day activities. One | | | | out what you say. |
| such important convention is measurement. Here in | | | | You might also need to brush up on your know how |
| Australia, the people use the more common metric | | | | of the Australian language. Though both of you talks in |
| system. This isn't much of an issue nowadays though, | | | | English, you might be shocked as to how different |
| since the metric system of measurement is also fast | | | | Australian English is. One thing that you would likely |
| becoming popular for daily use in the US. | | | | notice is that Australians use a lot of slang in their |
| Another thing that you might likely get confused of are | | | | speech. Be sure to carry around a handy pocket |
| the seasons. Since the US and Australia are in the | | | | dictionary with you, so that you wouldn't end scratching |
| opposite sides of the globe (the US is in the northern | | | | your head as to what your new Aussie pal is saying. |
| hemisphere while Australia lies down south). So, don't | | | | |