Australian Culture & Customs

1. Australian Culture & Customs Welcome to Australia These are just some of the customs and culture aspects of Australian life that will help you integrate into our society

2. Culture and Customs • Culture and Customs in this document encompasses the arts, values, traditions, expectations and the hopes of a Nation. The Australian National Anthem (Advance Australia Fair) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo-2pIioGis&feature=related

3. A brief history of Australia • It’s always important to know a little of the history of a county to understand the country, the people and the culture and customs which are often based on that history A cartoon Video on the above (5.59 mins) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhY9PBceqYY&feature=related True Blue Video ‘Australian Aboriginals – The first Australians (October 2011) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eQgGiNCQQA&feature=related

4. Australian Manners • Manners are different in every country (manners show respect and consideration for others and indicates that you are a civilised person) • Greetings (Good morning, Hello, Hi, Gid’day Mate more so in the country/bush) • Hand shake or kiss on cheek • Standing in a queue or line

5. Australian Manners • Please when requesting anything • Thank you when you receive anything • Excuse me or sorry if you need to get past anyone or bump into anyone • No spitting please • No pushing • Please No picking noses or putting your finger up your nose in public or class

6. Good manners in Australia • Being on time (i.e. British time) • Please speak English in front of others • Put your hand over your mouth when you yawn, cough or sneeze • Standing up for elders or ladies with babies on the bus or train • Please & Thank you

7. Australian Culture • Most culture is based on history, traditions and belief systems (religion etc) therefore is different in every county (not right or wrong just different) • Because of its unique history Australia has a unique culture which appreciates people being up front and very open in their communication styles • Generally Australians are open, friendly and helpful and from a vast array of many different countries (multicultural)

8. Australian Culture • Australian law and education systems are based on the English model • Most of our laws are also based on common law which is derived from common sense and precedents created from court cases • Things like walking on the left side of the pavement are in line with driving on the left hand side of the road

9. Australian Customs • Although we are a Multicultural society most of us sit on a chair and not the floor and also we do not squat on the ground • Most of us have approx a metre of personal space around us and are not a touchy feely lot

10. Australian Customs • Unlike some cultures we believe in looking people in the eye (some believe that eyes are the windows to the soul?) as it indicates that you have nothing to hide • The humour in Australia has been described as larrikin and laconic in style, and sometimes takes some time to understand

11. Australian Humour • Australian humour has a long history that can be traced back to our origins as convict colonies and therefore very unique • It is therefore no surprise that a national sense of humour quickly developed that responded to those conditions

12. Australian Humour • This unique sense of humour is recognised (although maybe not always understood) the world over as being distinctly Australian • Our humour is dry, full of extremes, anti-authoritarian, self-mocking and ironic Reference: http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/humour/

13. Australian Culture & Customs • This combines many long lost cockney and Irish sayings of the early convicts with words from Aboriginal languages • Australia has three defined accents, broad, general and cultivated

14. Australian Culture & Customs • We often abbreviate words and then add an ‘o’ or ‘ie’ on the end as in ‘bring your cossie to the barbie this arvo’

15. Australian Culture & Customs • Do yourself a favour and give yourself an Australian name • Why: Most of us cannot pronounce your names and feel embarrassed when we can’t • We would prefer to call you by name than ‘Hey you’ • We suggest that you choose a name that starts with your first initial, as it ‘s easier for you to remember

16. Tips for living in Australia • Collect the free MX newspaper each weekday at major train stations • Don’t take Australian’s behaviour as disrespectful, because it is not meant to be • Understand our’ Beach culture’ by always swimming between the red & yellow flags • The Pacific Ocean is famous for having strong currents and rips that can pull you out to sea

17. The Essentials Australia is a place of contradictions • It is an old county but a new one • It is one of the oldest continents on earth and has the oldest continuous culture with the Aboriginals But modern Australia is a society of newcomers who are building a culture from many different cultures

18. Australia is a place of contradictions • Australia is a very peaceful country, although has a reputation of having some of the most aggressive soldiers in war • Australia is a conservative country with a radical streak

19. Australia is a place of contradictions • Australia is a comfortable urban society, but it’s myths and stories are based on the harsh environment of the bush • Australians love leisure, but their folk heroes are hardworking battlers

20. Australia is a place of contradictions • Australians are open and direct, but they value their privacy • Most Australians are friendly and helpful to strangers, but it take hard work to develop deep friendships with them • Although they seem confident and loud, they are often cautious and uncommunicative about their real feelings

21. Australians are still in the process of change • For the first 150 years of modern Australian history, the country was definitely British • The settlers tried to remake the strange landscape into a copy of England • They adopted the political, legal and educational systems of England • They even went to war for England

22. Australians believe they are egalitarian, irreverent and anti - authority • Australia is not an equal society. There are divisions between the rich and poor, white and black and privileged and underprivileged • But Australians are sincere when they say they are egalitarian • They believe that people should have a ‘fair go’ or equality of opportunity

23. Australians believe they are egalitarian, irreverent and anti - authority • Australians don’t respect people just because of their role in society or their birth • For example teachers do not have a right to respect, unless they earn it • They dislike people who appear to be arrogant • They are basically law-abiding, but like people who bend the rules

24. Individuals versus groups • Australians put more value on the individual than the group, which is part of the Western traditions • They approve of self reliance and independence and don’t like being told what to do

25. Approach to Life • Australians have a casual approach to life • They are relaxed and informal about most aspects of daily living • There are some rules about polite behaviour but Australians aren’t too upset if the rules are broken • Australian is one of the world’s most successful multiracial societies

26. Ask Questions • Your college teachers expect all students to be responsible for their own learning • They expect you to organise your own work schedule, do independent research and meet deadlines • Most of all, they expect you to question everything and think for yourself (Understanding Australia – A Guide for International Students’ by Sally A White 2003)

27. Australian Culture & Customs • Get to know your host country by checking out these three websites: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX5UR2leYHA http://www.australia.com/index.aspx http://www.convictcreations.com/culture/index.htm http://www.aussieeducator.org.au/tertiary_history_australian_australianculture.html Enjoy Australia

28. References Australian Government Cultural Portal http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/humour/ Australian Tourism http://www.australia.com/index.aspx Australian Educator http://www.aussieeducator.org.au/tertiary_history_australian_australianculture.html Australian Culture http://www.convictcreations.com/culture/index.htm I still call Australia (Qantas) Ad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX5UR2leYHA