Join the Fun!

According to Bree, she started the thread on Reddit because she was curious about how other people see Australia. She wanted to compare their experiences with those of her own.

"Life and Aussie culture seems so normal to me, and I wanted to get real insight from everyday people, from all over the world. And I certainly achieved that! I didn't expect the post to blow up like it did, that's for sure. I was quite chuffed, to be honest... and full of pride, amusement, and warmth for my little (big) land down under," she told Bored Panda how happy she was that the discussion got a lot of attention.

Bored Panda was curious to get Bree's take on the biggest culture shock moments that foreigners might experience when they first visit Australia. In her opinion, one of those moments is "realizing there are cities here, and busy ones at that."

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors “Nah yeah” = Yes please.

“Yeah Nah” = No thank you.

italkaboutbruno , Craig McKay Report

Final score:

186points

POST

Ken Beattie 8 months ago

I don't use "Nah yeah" but I do occasionally use "Yeah nah". Mostly to emphasise that I'm not interested. Which might sound weird, but that's how it is.

69points

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors Kangaroos. Angry two legged deer.

Secret-You-8624 , llee_wu Report

Final score:

182points

POST

Full of Giggles 8 months ago

One of my rescue roos has busted out the glass in my sliding door while attempting to fight his reflection. Three times.

141points

"Chatting to tourists, I get the impression they were almost expecting to land on a dirt patch in the middle of nowhere and have a kangaroo courier them to an outback cattle station fighting off snakes and sharks and spiders with a boomerang," she quipped. "That view, or expectation, does warm our hearts, though."

Bree said that Australians love a lot of things: their country, taking the mickey out of others, the tourists, as well as the view the rest of the world has about them. "The snakes and sharks and spiders and isolated cattle stations are definitely here, we've all encountered them, but I do not know a single person who's had a bad experience with any of them. They tend to leave you alone if you do come across one."

She shared some more things that Aussies have in common: "We all have a mate called Gazza, (hi, Dad!) and we all know someone called Kylie (hi, bestie!) We all have broken a Hills Hoist [clothesline] as kids, and we all like our Vegemite. Everyone's our mate, even if it doesn't sound like it from the 'not safe for work' language we use."

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors The banter. Aussies are surprisingly quick and have a great sense of humor. Also they tend to have a darker, irreverent taste in jokes. Makes for good entertainment.

Depression_God , ELEVATE Report

Final score:

168points

POST

Uncanny 8 months ago

Just considering taking offense at ‘surprisingly quick’ but decided to let it slide cos it’s a sunny Sunday afternoon, the dog is lying on my feet and wine has been had. Had I read this on Monday morning at work when only weetbix had been had, it would have been a different story, tho! 😉

63points

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors The nutbush 100%.

exobiologickitten replied:

My Scottish family came down for my sisters wedding on the weekend and two things happened: The band played 500 miles by the Proclaimers, which sent the Scots into a highland dancing frenzy They then played Nutbush, which sent the aussies absolutely feral And on both sides, the other family would look at the ones on the dance floor like “what the actual F is going on??” It was hilarious

yourlavenderplug , Bob Deacon Report

Final score:

165points

POST

No Clue 8 months ago

So for those who don't know (like me), it's a line dance to Tina Turner's "Nutbush City Limits": https://youtu.be/xTiLknvewlM?si=VrTsxoGOl62r02SK 🤷‍♀️

77points

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors That the Australians went to war with emus in the 30s and they lost.

Krissybear93 , Jon Bunting Report

Final score:

152points

POST

BC 8 months ago (edited)

Yeah we did! Go team!

57points

Bree explained to Bored Panda that Aussies are "super protective" of tourists, even if they might enjoy gently poking fun at them from time to time. "Whilst we may be scaring you with stories of drop bears, in the very same breath we have our eyes peeled and we won't let you lift up a piece of tin in the Outback, or walk around barefoot in a paddock, or wander through the mangroves."

The author of the viral thread pointed out that getting along with the locals is "practically a given," which should put a lot of us travelers at ease. "The second we hear an accent, we don our Aussie hats and take you directly under our wings. As long as you can take a joke, and are aware that we love our culture, and are full of pride for it, you're good as gold to us," she shared some advice with all tourists.

Bree also had some encouragement to share with anyone hoping to travel to and around Australia. "Traveling anywhere new is equally exciting and terrifying, and my advice for anyone wanting to visit Australia is simple: just do it! I feel so incredibly fortunate to live in such a diverse, accepting, laid-back corner of the world where it is safe and welcoming," she opened up to us.

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors American here and was there a year ago. I know this is just my perspective but when I got off the plane and the whole time I was there, I did not feel tension in the air like I do here. Like I said, that was just my perspective. It was a great trip visiting my daughter. I can't wait to go back to visit.

HorrorSorbet , Kelvin Valerio Report

Final score:

150points

POST

BC 8 months ago

Two reasons; gun control and air conditioning. The majority of us are pretty relaxed because we know how good we have it. My family are farmers and although it was a pain in the bum, we all gave up our illegal guns in the amnesty. And no, we’re not all running around terrified of our ‘police state’, we can still get a license if necessary (farming etc.) it’s just regulated.

137points

Top_Of_Gov_Watchlist , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors As a Texan there are no people I like more than Australians. Even when they're rude I just laugh at how creative the insults are.

Final score:

146points

POST

Full of Giggles 8 months ago

I’m an American married to an Aussie. Can confirm their insults are creative. My husband once told me I was bitchier than a vegan crocodile.

226points

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors Australian here that has been living in Canada for the past three months.

It's funny looking back at how things are done differently in Austalia that you grow up thinking is normal and don't appricate. Simple things like tipping culture and taxes are already displayed on price tags, I'm finding canada to be such an expensive country to live in. 500ml of honey (equivalent of home brand) $10! How?

I've had a few Canadians ask how we live with so many deadly creatures, snakes, spiders etc. Like WTF, you literally have BEARS roaming the street that can physically overpower you and f**k you up! A moose can be the size of an SUV, run ridiculously fast even in deep snow, it can also f*cking swim and will charge you if intimidated and don't get me started on cougars (and not the fun type)

Planning on being in Canada for another year and a half but already missing the Austalian culture to a certain extent. Canada is so beautiful though.

Denzalious , Eduardo Soares Report

Final score:

146points

POST

Ken Beattie 8 months ago

This is something that always got me when people talk about the deadly wildlife in Australia. We literally don't have anything that will actively go out of it's way to hunt you, other than salt water crocs and they're in a limited range that's not near the majority of the population. Even the US has bears, wolves, cougars plus gators and crocs. Plus they have a whole swag of venomous critters. Yet Australia is the place with scary animals? 0_o

74points

"I think my view of Australia could only get better if I experienced less fortunate places and was able to appreciate more what my sunburnt country has to offer. And, as an Adelaide resident, just don't drink the VB beer. That's for the Victorians and us South Aussies have a tongue-in-cheek love-hate bond with our neighboring State," the redditor suggested.

On a more serious note, she warned that any travel in the Australian Outback should be taken very seriously. Travelers have to be extremely well-prepared. They should never take these trips lightly. On a lighter note, Bree said that Australia is a huge country, and she urged everyone to visit the smaller towns "on the outskirts of the cities for a true Aussie vibe and experience."

Most of the country's towns are near the sea, and the redditor added that the beaches are "insanely accessible and beautiful."

#10

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors The fact that almost the entire population lives near the coast. The center is enormous and deadly. Idk why but it blows my mind seeing those pics of signs saying stuff along the lines of: next gas station is far af, if you’re not prepared you’re gonna die.

Spectronautic1 , Dmitry Zvolskiy Report

Final score:

138points

POST

Stary_cat 8 months ago

The centre is so deadly as it get over 50 degrees out there there’s barley ever rain it comes once in a blue moon and there not enough resources to sustain life out there.

37points

#11

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors Not anymore but when i found out that the tasmanian devil is a real thing and tasmania is a real place.

anon , Mathias Appel Report

Final score:

124points

POST

Katie Lutesinger 8 months ago

I was on here once and mentioned seeing Tassie Devils at the zoo and someone asked in all seriousness how had I managed to see an extinct animal anywhere! That's Tassie TIGERS, my dude. (Sadly. Tasmanians now consider them their mascot/icon and they're even on the label of Cascade beer, but the animals themselves were all senselessly murdered a long time ago. I've seen a preserved skin at the museum but that's it).

45points

#12

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors The size of the place, When I flew there, a movie finished, I checked the flight tracker map thing - saw we were just about approaching Australia. Thought to myself not long til we land, I won’t watch another film. - I could have watched another two films as there was over 5 hours left of the flight.

amfra , SEDACMaps Report

Final score:

114points

POST

Little Wonder 8 months ago

Yeah, I travelled with someone from the UK and she didn't realise it's not really a day trip from Cairns to Uluru. Took her a long time to get her head around the size of the place.

43points

For anyone scared of the Aussie wildlife, Bree, who was "born and bred" in Australia and has lived there for 40 years, has some good news. "I have never once been bitten by a snake or spider, chased by a shark, stung by a jellyfish, or boxed by a kangaroo. I have, however, had a safe, fun, privileged, and fulfilling life, and believe you'll absolutely love it here. You'll automatically be in the 'mate' category and we've got your back."

Another upside of Australian life, according to her, is the lack of notable violence in the country. "We just don't see it here very often and it gives you such a sense of security and protection. It really is unique."

The land Down Under is incredibly biodiverse. According to the Australian Government, the continent and surrounding seas support a whopping 600k to 700k native species. Most of them are not seen anywhere else on our planet!

A jaw-dropping 85% of Australian plant species won’t be found anywhere else on Earth. Moreover, the Australian continent is home to half of the world’s marsupial species.

#13

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors American here… its shockingly similar, honestly. A few surprises: 1) Toasties! It’s like having excellent grilled cheese sandwiches available everywhere, at all times. 2) how well “tap on, tap off” works. 3) for a people who ridicule basic American coffee…. you sure go hard on the instant coffee. 4) how you can leave your stuff lying around and it doesn’t get stolen. Overall fabulous country. Five stars.

Ok-Duck2458 , Adrienne Andersen Report

Final score:

114points

POST

Little Wonder 8 months ago

Okay for Americans, let me tell you. Our instant coffee tastes like Dunkin coffee (if you buy a proper brand). American instant is revolting, I couldn't believe how bad (for Aussies, think International Roast but not as good).

53points

#14

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors My Hungarian friend had been living and working in Australia for two months. We were walking home late at night when she suddenly stopped dead 'The moon! It’s…wrong way up'. I couldn’t understand what she was on about and it took like 10 minutes of explaining, because I’ve never noticed the moon on my rare trips to Europe.

vagga2 , Joonas kääriäinen Report

Final score:

113points

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Mingey 8 months ago

Sky at night is AMAZING 🤩🤩🤩

34points

#15

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors European living in Victoria - still can't believe how cold winter gets, and how badly insulated houses are.

vaxene , Karolina Grabowska Report

Final score:

102points

POST

AndThenICommented 8 months ago

This 1000xs. And the new houses are still so badly built!

38points

Australia boasts around 2k species of spider. Most of them are (relatively) harmless to people. Something that has been a huge help is the widespread existence of antivenom.

The Victoria State Government has some handy advice on avoiding spider bites. For one, you should always aim to wear gloves, long pants, and shoes while gardening. You ought to avoid walking barefoot around your garden. And be sure to shake out your shoes before you put them on. You should also not leave your clothes lying around on the floor.

If you happen to stumble across a potential spider lair, do not go rummaging around it with your hands! Use a stick. Or better yet, leave it alone and contact someone who works in pest removal services.

#16

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors I'm half-Australian with a lot of Aussie family and have spent most of my life living outside of the country, so I feel I have a semi-outsiders perspective to the country. Some things which immediately spring to mind are:

1. How completely uninhabited so much of the country is.
2. The sheer expanse of the red rocky deserts.
3. How much casual racism still exists towards the aborigines and how much the country is struggling to navigate its past.
4. How endless and gobsmackingly beautiful it's stretches of coastline are.
5. How insanely big saltwater crocodiles can grow to, they are like monsters from another time.
6. How clean and well-designed the cities are, including the water quality at major ports.
7. Australians are very anti-littering and I would say are much more environmentally aware than most people I've come across.
8. The low rates of smoking and gun violence.
9. The environmental hypocrisies in the country, such as its love affair with coal, mining and trawlers.
10. How a country with so many resources, good city planning and so much space still has a rental crisis developing.
11. Australians fascination with snow and how many will decorate shop window displays with fake snow Etc in the run-up to Christmas despite the sweltering temperatures.
12. How insanely deadly or poisonous/venomous some really tiny and innocuous looking Australian animals are.
13. The stereotype that they love their beer and barbecues is very true.
14. Kangaroos really do box each other.
15. How massive and grass-less fields on sheep farms are.

Edit: 1. "Ozzie" (rather than Aussie) was a typing error (I wrote this post while very tired), but thanks, it seems like every other comment here is on correcting me about that.
2. I didn't know that Aborigine was racist whereas Aboriginal is not (my apologies).
3. A lot of people here themselves seem to be confused as to what the native peoples should be called.

Creative_Recover , John Benwell Report

Final score:

95points

POST

Lisa T 8 months ago (edited)

I think Indigenous or First Nations people is how you refer to them

41points

#17

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors As an Australian the thing that gets me is that the city of Melbourne was almost called BATMANIA. Now all that's left of that dream is Batman Avenue.

Twuggy , Felix Haumann Report

Final score:

93points

POST

Ken Beattie 8 months ago

Just to clear something up here, they didn't want to name the city after Batman the dude in pointy ears and tights. It was in the 1800s and they were considering naming it after "John Batman" who claimed to found the city in 1835.

66points

#18

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors There actually isn't a massive f*****g spider around every corner.

ReignofHorror678 , Pixabay Report

Final score:

92points

POST

Ken Beattie 8 months ago

Actually, there probably is. Just most of them are harmless and a lot of them are quite good at hiding :P

83points

You should clear away the trees, shrubs, and bushes from around your doors and windows. However, it’s not advisable to use insecticides in your garden: the local spider population, spooked, might flee right into your home. (A very frightening proposition, indeed..!)

Meanwhile, add screens to your windows and vents, and make sure that there’s no space underneath your doors for spiders to squeeze through.

#19

Dropbears. Deadly Dropbears.

NickyDeeM Report

Final score:

92points

POST

BC 8 months ago

Fangs the size of machetes…

50points

Ilovestraightpepper , Omar Alejandro Report

#20

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors How AMAZING your wine is.

Melodic-Change-6388 replied:

Tassie sparkling and Pinot noir is the best. All Tassie wines are bomb, they just don’t produce enough quantity to be as well known.

Final score:

81points

POST

Jo Maxwell 8 months ago

Our coffee is also awesome

28points

Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

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Thrill-Seeking Diver Jumps Down Extreme Waterslide, Ignoring The Strict Ban For Women

#21

As an Australian myself, the thing I hate most is our anti-intellectualism. We’re automatically suspicious of a bloke that can string two words together without “f***en” in the middle of them.

Homosexualtigr Report

Final score:

81points

POST

Kenneth Barns 8 months ago

Meh. 42% of Australians have a completed a tertiary education, which is one of the higher rates in the world. Maybe you hang out in the wrong crowds? (Or in the right crowds when overseas!) On the other hand, you can have a very secure life foregoing tertiary education and going into the trades, so wealth does not necessarily mean "well-educated" (which is a good thing, IMHO).

40points

Sergeant_Metalhead , Allan Henderson Report

While many of us would love to travel more—to Australia and beyond—some of us keep looking for excuses not to. It’s inconvenient. It’s expensive. It’s scary. It’s uncomfortable… The list is endless. The fact of the matter is that travel can be a wonderful opportunity for adventure and exposing ourselves to new cultures and ways of living. But we have to have a little bit of courage and be open-minded.

The key to gaining confidence in travel is… to travel! You have to start out small. Like, really small. Think about some massive adventure that you’d like to have someday. Now, make that your long-term goal. In the meantime, plan a whole series of smaller trips.

#22

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors As a truck driver, the road trains fascinate me, I want to visit and drive one.

Final score:

78points

POST

Ken Beattie 8 months ago

They are a real pain when you need to overtake one. Fortunately they're limited to lower population areas so that'll be on the middle of an outback highway.

22points

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

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“Ma’am I Live Here”: Woman Refuses To Back Out Of Driveway, Learns A Lesson The Hard Way

#23

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors My friend has recently moved over from Texas, and has said the thing that's shocked her the most is how much Australian millenials love The Simpsons.

lowflyingsatelites , The Walt Disney Company Report

Final score:

69points

POST

Ken Beattie 8 months ago

Doesn't most of the world love the Simpsons? Longest running prime time cartoon ever.

48points

#24

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors How immense and diverse it is in all sorts of ways when it comes to landscape and wildlife. The birdlife is unbelievable.......... I lived there for a decade in Victoria and WA (Perth, The Kimberly, Goldfields and Warburton.) A few months ago I started adding up the journeys I had driven whilst there and it was over well 100,000 km's. I visited every State and Territory bar Tassie. I drove to work from Perth once and it took three days to travel 3000kms. Also drove Perth to Bathurst via Ayers Rock. Had a pet Kangaroo, shot, ate and ran into a few also. Hunted goanna and roos with some aboriginal fellas. Ĥeld a gold bar which was the weeks production for the mine I worked at, at the time. Had a ball. Was actually back there in Melbourne for Christmas just gone.
Strala 's f*****g awesome!.

anon , Christine Report

Final score:

68points

POST

Lauren S 8 months ago (edited)

People hunt the kangaroos??? And eat them??? I guess that’s similar to hunting deer where I grew up but I’ve just never heard anyone mention it before. Does kangaroo have a food name like venison for deer? Why does it seem sadder to me to kill a kangaroo? Edit: Wow, thank you for all the info! TIL. ☺️

31points

Downunderdude 8 months ago

You can buy kangaroo meat at supermarkets.It's a regulated industry. It's a good, lean meat. Yes, people hunt Roos, but every country has small-penised cretins who love to kill things for no good reason.

37points

Kenneth Barns 8 months ago

Roos are hunted because they can't be farmed. (Can you imagine the height of the fences needed? Can you imagine try to herd them into a truck in order to get them to an abattoir?) It's probably a better life for them than being a farmed pig, chicken, or steer. Also, point of reference, "Aboriginal" is capitalised. We don't refer to french fellas or asian fellas.

14points

David Paterson 8 months ago

I want to add that very very few Australians have pet roos, or shoot roos these days, or hunt goanna, or hold a weeks production of gold in their hands. That is not the normal tourist experience. I've never hit a roo while driving, but many Australians have.

10points

Jeremiah Anderson 8 months ago

It’s just called Kangaroo. Was there in September of ‘23 and tried it a couple of times. It’s really good! Met an old farmer who had a license to cull up to 400 per year. They are cute but extremely destructive to your crops. They move in massive herds and you can go from 0 Roos to 200 in your field from one day to the next. Kill a few of them and they move on to the neighbor’s field. My wife thought it was sadder to kill kangaroos until we went and she realized how many there actually are.

7points

HotDog Water 8 months ago

We're the only country to eat the animals on our coat of arms - kangaroo & emu. You can buy kangaroo at the grocery store in the "game" or "specialty" section

7points

Riley Quinn 8 months ago

I usually go to the annual Hunter's Banquet where US native animals, elk, deer, and bear are served, but also kangaroo and alligator. As a former hunter, I can safely say hunting is far more humane than the factory farmed meat you purchase in cellophane wrap. Exceedingly more humane.

6points

IveNeverBeenWise 8 months ago

i opt for kangaroo, wallaby, possum, croc and emu over beef (bad for the land). My wallaby spag bowl is tops and my kanga curry is mean :)

5points

seasidecav 8 months ago

It's called Skippy

5points

PixxelDust 8 months ago

Kangaroos are beautiful, however they're also overpopulated -- hence why you're allowed to hunt and kill them. I personally don't like the idea of killing an animal that's on our coat of arms, but I can understand the need.

3points

Tom Brincefield 8 months ago

It tastes like a less gamey venison. Croc treasures a lot like chicken. All the emu I had was sausage, it was kind of bland.

3points

Marlin101 8 months ago

Roo, is just roo. The meat is delicious, extremely low in fat, and like most game, best served rare/medium rare. Goannas on the other hand just get chucked in the fire until they are done. Honestly, you would have no qualms shooting a kangaroo if you saw 500 strong mob standing/laying under the trees.

2points

DeoManus Argentem 8 months ago

You can even buy kangaroo meat at some markets and order it at some restaurants in the US! I've had it, and not even at an "Outback Steakhouse" ;) ;)

2points

IveNeverBeenWise 8 months ago

i opt for kangaroo, wallaby, possum, croc and emu over beef any day. my wallaby spag bowl is tops and my kanga curry is mean :)

0points

Katie Lutesinger 8 months ago

Three friarbirds and a rosella!

5points

Julie S 8 months ago

Is that what those birds are? The middle one is very pretty.

1point

Amo Mazzuchelli 8 months ago

No special name but we love kanga bangas in our house - kangaroo sausages. I would love to cook a steak and try it but you have to cook it perfect, can't be under done or over done. Also most of the roo is used someway or another, the hide usually sold in souvenir shops and the nut sack made into coin purses .... true

1point

Jess 8 months ago

*uluru not Ayer's rock

1point

Terri Rickert 8 months ago

NO Kangaroos are EVER killed humanely in Australia. Wildlife Rescue & Care (Australia)

0points

Terri Rickert 8 months ago

Kangaroos are NEVER EVER killed humanly !!!!!!!!! wildlife Rescue and Care

0points

MidnightProphecy 8 months ago

I hate people who kills animals. Like there's not enough meat for sale Already. B****** not to mention I hate anyone who can be ok with killing an animal for any reason.

0points

PFD 8 months ago

The amount of roos as roadkill really shocked me. Just staggering numbers (up in FNQ this was).

0points

Bec 8 months ago

If you missed Tassie, you missed the best bit, mate.

0points

Paul Gerrard 8 months ago

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50 Of The Most Incredible Shots That Were Submitted To The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

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French Diver’s “Jewels” In Tight Swimming Trunks Become Talk Of The Town At Olympics

Consider what you’d like to do and see in your hometown. Then go and do that. Then, think about what you’d love to do in a nearby town, a city even further away, and then work your way to travel abroad. Pace yourself. Take tiny steps. And soon enough, you’ll be traveling and adventuring with the best of the best.

You should also figure out what type of travel and tourism you’re most comfortable with. Are you better off being a solo traveler, or do you thrive when you’re on an adventure with a gaggle of friends? Do you prefer having quality accommodation, or are you fine with crashing on someone’s couch? Do you want to travel by plane, train, and car, or are you a fan of hitchhiking? Do you enjoy long hikes (hi!) or lazing about in the pool (hi again!)?

#25

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors As an exchange student from Hong Kong, the first cultural shock I experienced was how y’all don’t really wear shoes, I never expect to see so many toes on the streets lmao.

Jpnoth4 , PNW Production Report

Final score:

66points

POST

Pink Princess 8 months ago

I live in Sydney and I never see people barefoot except for the beach

43points

Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

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#26

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors How there's actually snow there.

ALazy_Cat , Collin Nederhood Report

Final score:

63points

POST

Full of Giggles 8 months ago

To be fair, my Australian in-laws were equally surprised in snowed in Arizona, US.

37points

#27

Tall poppy syndrome: you’ve got to watch yourself…it’s an egalitarian society so if you come from a society that celebrates and flaunts success, you’ll tend to be disliked.

rrfe Report

Final score:

63points

POST

Lisa T 8 months ago (edited)

Just don’t act “up yourself” and you’ll be fine.

45points

There’s no shame in knowing what you’re most comfortable and happiest with, even if others prefer an entirely different style of traveling. It's up to us to decide how quickly to step out of our comfort zones.

In the meantime, be sure to do at least some basic research about any city, region, or country you want to visit. Knowing how to get along with the locals can be a wonderful way to make the most of your experience! But what matters the most is having an open heart and mind.

What did you find the most shocking the first time you visited Australia, dear Pandas? What advice would you give non-Aussies to help them get along with the locals? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

#28

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors Something is wrong with the way you market Tim Tams. Arnotts should be bigger than Amazon.

emunny_99 , Mary and Andrew Report

Final score:

60points

POST

Libstak 8 months ago (edited)

The Tim Tam Slam should be a global phenomena, why isn't it?

22points

Imhereforthewearp , August de Richelieu Report

#29

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors It surprised me when I found out that their term for the right leaning party is "liberal" and once I figured it out, I suddenly understood a lot of the things I saw online that were confusing me.

Final score:

58points

POST

Kenneth Barns 8 months ago

"Liberal" in the sense of the British Liberal Party from the late 1800s and early 1900s. That is, "free/liberated" from excessive government intervention. In the US, the "Libertarian" party is named that for the same reason.

41points

Krusty_Burglar_ , Wutthichai Charoenburi Report

#30

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors How bad your internet is.

Final score:

56points

POST

Katie Lutesinger 8 months ago

My internet is actuall- ERROR: CONNECTION LOST.

60points

#31

How Australians can just co-exist with one another without it breaking out into people throwing brown snakes at each other.

MammothJust4541 Report

Final score:

53points

POST

Stary_cat 8 months ago

The brown snakes are too aggressive once saw on jump of a motor cycle and try to bite the guy. We’re not picking em up.

47points

#32

The amount of famous Australian actors that have an acting credit in Neighbours and/or Home and Away.

Thetford34 Report

Final score:

51points

POST

Ken Beattie 8 months ago

Neighbours is a starting point for young actors. It's been running for decades (41 seasons, nearly 9000 episodes) now so it's not surprising that a lot of actors got their start there, or did guest spots at some point. It's probably like appearing on the Young and the Restless or Days of our Lives I guess.

27points

Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk

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#33

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors That people still live there despite learning the existance of: 1. spiders the size of my hand 2. flying spiders the size of my hand 3. literall wingless dragons 4. boxing world champion bipedal deer on roids 5. snakes that WILL k**l you with one bite within the hour 6. living rocks just outside the coast that will give you the early access of what hell will feel like 7. and the fact that THE COUNTRY HAS BEEN BURNED TO THE GROUND.

F13_404 , Jason Thompson Report

Final score:

48points

POST

Little Wonder 8 months ago

Yes? Where else am I supposed to live? My car spiders would miss me if I left!

61points

Themanwiththevoice Report

#34

That they don’t have a thriving film industry yet. So many good actors from there but they all make it big in Hollywood.

Final score:

47points

POST

Stary_cat 8 months ago

Also some of the biggest superhero film were filmed in our theme parks and parts of pirates of the Caribbean was filmed on a clearing of grass behind my local shopping centre.

32points

#35

35 Fascinating Things About Australia That Shocked Visitors The poorly constructed homes…drafty, mold, collapsing….

only1der , Tiana Report

Final score:

26points

POST

bonnie murray 8 months ago

where in australia is this

40points

"I Didn't Start The Dryer": Karen Gets Taught A Lesson After Throwing Out Neighbor's Wet Clothes

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What do you think ?

POST

SBocker78 8 months ago

I'm not proud of this, but as a child I thought the Mad Max movies were how Australians actually lived.

9points

David Paterson 8 months ago

Will live. It's set in a post-apocalyptic future.

5points

Michael Largey 8 months ago

Aussies are so hospitable. They are always glad to relieve a visitor of the burden of holding up his end of the conversation.

4points

Bored Seb 8 months ago

I've been to Australia a couple of time. I love Salzburg!

4points

Terri Rickert 8 months ago

Seb Australia NOT AUSTRIA !!!!!!!!

0points

Lady Miss Pie Premium 8 months ago

This makes me want to go to Australia for a long stretch. Which will never happen because I am broke AF

3points

Irishwoman abroad 8 months ago

Same here - on both counts

0points

Bernd Herbert 8 months ago

Spend 3 weeks there. Loved it. Especially the people and their laid-backness. Even the cops say to you:“cheers, mate!“ Only thing I didn’t like was my rosd accident with the rental car, where I hit a roo. That sucked massively.

3points

Jeremiah Anderson 8 months ago

The free WiFi in city centers was fantastic! Especially while traveling with no cell phone service. The amount of information that they asked for before allowing you access to the free WiFi was hilarious! Name, email, home address, phone number, blood type, first born child, waiver signing over your very soul, etc.

2points

Pickle (any pronouns) 8 months ago

The free WiFi in my city centre (we call them CBDs) is horrible, it automatically connects whenever I pass through on my commute and it screws with whatever I'm doing on my phone (e.g. Spotify, games) and it barely works (maybe because I'm not that close to the centre, but still).

-1point

Mike Pasemko 8 months ago

I spent a couple of months on a job there, and I was also struck by how poorly houses were constructed with little insulation and poor heating systems. They seemed in denial that it got cold in South Australia in the winter

1point

T'Mar of Vulcan 8 months ago

Three of my cousins live there and apparently when you visit someone you don't actually go inside their house, you just stand outside talking? One cousin visited another and the one whose house it was got mighty annoyed when the other one went inside the house to use the toilet. Like, WHAT? (We're South African.)

-2points

David Paterson 8 months ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Petra Schaap 8 months ago

.....what

9points

Emily Jones 8 months ago

I would say all of these are true, but unfortunately Black Friday is starting to become common down here. One American thing we really don't need. :(

5points

Irishwoman abroad 8 months ago

Not just Aussies who don't have most of this, and amazingly enough, we survive!! But wtf is "President" about? Plenty of countries besides America have presidents!

0points

POST

SBocker78 8 months ago

I'm not proud of this, but as a child I thought the Mad Max movies were how Australians actually lived.

9points

David Paterson 8 months ago

Will live. It's set in a post-apocalyptic future.

5points

Michael Largey 8 months ago

Aussies are so hospitable. They are always glad to relieve a visitor of the burden of holding up his end of the conversation.

4points

Bored Seb 8 months ago

I've been to Australia a couple of time. I love Salzburg!

4points

Terri Rickert 8 months ago

Seb Australia NOT AUSTRIA !!!!!!!!

0points

Lady Miss Pie Premium 8 months ago

This makes me want to go to Australia for a long stretch. Which will never happen because I am broke AF

3points

Irishwoman abroad 8 months ago

Same here - on both counts

0points

Bernd Herbert 8 months ago

3points

Jeremiah Anderson 8 months ago

2points

Pickle (any pronouns) 8 months ago

-1point

Mike Pasemko 8 months ago

1point

T'Mar of Vulcan 8 months ago

-2points

David Paterson 8 months ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Petra Schaap 8 months ago

.....what

9points