do's and donts in new zeland and austrailia?

Question

i dont want to be flogged

Answer 1

If you're invited to anything where you're asked to "Please bring a plate"... don't take it literally. It means bring a plate of food to share. I think in the US they call it "pot luck". I know a couple of non-Australians who have been caught out like that, and shown up with an empty plate - lol

In a lot of settings, although particularly in bars, Australians can be very confrontational with their opinions on certain topics. Having lived in very industrial areas, I have seen some debates over unionism get out of hand. Although if you're here as a tourist, it's unlikely to affect you.

Beware of something called "tall poppy syndrome". Talking too much about your personal achievements, or flaunting wealth etc... is met with a lot of distain in Australia... and in my opinion, it doesn't take much (it also doesn't make much sense to me, but it's true). It's best to be pretty humble.

Answer 2

We don't flog people anymore - well not very often anyway. Check out Kings Cross (Sydney), Fortitude Valley (Brisbane) for that kind of service.

Driving - If you drive a hire car or ride a bike watch yourself on the roads. You already know we drive on the left. We give way at unsigned intersections to traffic on the right, you and all vehicle occupants must wear a seat belt, you must give a breath specimen if asked by police. Otherwise the road rules are probably much the same. Speed limits are enforced by speed camera in urban areas and by roving police cars in country areas.

The death rate on Australian roads is only slightly higher than it is in the USA and lower than most other countries so you will be just about as safe here as there. However 40% of head-on crashes in the country involve a driver who came from RHD countries overseas. Another factor is crossing a street as a pedestrian. Remember the traffic is on your right at first.

Driving up a highway, feeling a bit hungry? Don't eat at the "restaurants" attached to petrol (gasoline) stations. Mostly they are pretty foul and the coffee is dreadful. Best bet in a middling to small sized town is to find the business centre and look into a cafe that's attached to a bakery, or maybe run independently. If they have an expresso machine the coffee should be tolerable and the food OK. In smaller places the staff are often the owners.

If you intend to travel long distances by car carry at least an insulated container of cold water. Another good idea is a vacuum flask of coffee (or tea) and packet of biscuits (cookies). If you want a break from driving, find a shady tree and brew up one. Many highways have "rest areas" every few dozen kilometres but these range from bleak to rather good. Best ones I've seen are in Queensland.

If you are a member of a motorists association at home, ask if they have any reciprocal arrangements with say the NRMA, the RACV, or the RACQ in Australia. These road service organisations can get you out of trouble.

Motels range from cheap and cheerful to swank and fairly expensive. Nearly all offer a mini-sized refrigerator and if there is no iron or ironing board and you want one, ask nicely at the office. It may even be free. Most motels don't mind if you have a pizza delivered to your room.

Answer 3

We don't flog people any more, don't worry. We're pretty friendly and relaxed, and you will be most welcome here.

Some cultural notes -

Don't:
Talk yourself up;
Eat with your mouth open/slurp your food;
Queue Jump;
Complain about the way we do things;
Lump Australia and New Zealand together like they're one country - Kiwis in particular do not appreciate it;
Try to bring food stuffs into the country without declaring them - penalties are harsh (and deserved);
Ask us to say things so you can marvel at how cute/cool/quaint our accents are.

These things are considered very bad manners. Probably no-one will say anything to you if you do them, but you won't be very popular.

Do:
Visit all the (justifiably) famous landmarks you've heard of;
Wear sunblock at all times when in the outdoors - we are under a huge hole in the ozone layer;
Swim between the flags if you're unfamiliar with our beaches or you're not a strong swimmer;
Expect the best, because Australia has it.

btw it's Australia, not Austrailia, and New Zealand, not New Zeland.

Answer 4

Hmm, I notice a few people say don't ask Aussies to talk so you can hear the accent...WHY NOT...I have never heard of anyone getting upset about that, unless it only happens in the cities (I live in the country), anyway you wont have to worry...if you are here your gonna hear us all talking around you anyway so you wont have to ask. We are more likely to ask you to talk so we can hear your accent. Anyway, we are generally easy going people, go with the flow and you'll be fine...most of us don't bite...we are the same as any other country really, there are some goodies and there are some baddies...I hope you meet all the goodies, have fun. Oh and don't forget to visit the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, (I live nearby). Wave when you go past, OH and most important...we drive on the left side of the road here, lots of tourists forget especially along The Great Ocean Road, so you should probably watch out for them. hooroo.

Answer 5

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Other dos and don'ts for Australia:

* Don't light a cigarette in any restaurant.
* Don't light a cigarette in any pub in Western Australia - it's illegal
* Don't use racist terms against anyone - Aboriginal people are called Aboriginal, not any other name unless you know the tribal group they belong to
* Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself if people say something unkind to you; you will be respected for sticking to your morals
* Don't believe anything about drop-bears: there is no such thing as a drop-bear! (but it is a very funny joke we play and we love seeing people get sucked-in by it)
* Don't mention George Bush unless it is to condemn him or poke fun at him: he's not a popular guy
* Don't make too many comparisons to your home country about how it is better, it annoys people very much and they will just tell you to get on the next plane out of town
* Don't talk loudly in a restaurant, cafe or small space: it is rude and annoying to other people who don't want to hear your stories, these are usually quieter places for private conversation

* Do talk loudly in a pub because it's the only way you'll get heard: everyone will want to hear your stories over a few beers, talk to your heart's content in a pub
* Do smile at the wait staff because it will get you better service
* Do tip if you feel the staff deserves it, but it is not necessary and not customary, you will not be scorned if you don't
* Do mix with different social and racial groups
* Do go to at least two different country towns
* Do take a road trip along any part of the coast: preferably on a motorbike, but not a tour bus
* Do have an open mind for humour: you need to be able to laugh at yourself because people will tease you in a fun way
* Do be prepared to talk about sport, and also more sport

The links below will be useful for you.
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Answer 6

Almost everything the Aussies have been saying about Oz applies to NZ too (not the drop-bears, tho'...). Especially the bit about not lumping Kiwis in with Aussies.
Extra for NZ - when someone tells you you'll need to have your passport ready on the Interisland ferry, play along with the joke.

Answer 7

Donts in Australia

Dont insult Women (servier fines)

Dont insult darker people (harsh fines + youll be beaten up)

Dont lie to Customs officers at the airport. Lieing can be $220 on the sport fine, $60 000 fine or 10 years jail. (Australian Dollars)

Dont stay in Alice Springs for too long if u go there (a lot of violance at night)

Dont tease cops

Dont tip (its not a custom to tip in australia or NZ)

Just be yourself and play it safe

Enjoy!

Answer 8

Don't talk incredibly loud in confined spaces! A lot of nZers hate American tourists because they'll get on a bus and yell at each other the whole trip! Kiwis generally talk quieter, also be polite as most kiwis are really nice!

Answer 9

Do tell them you love the English, hate rugby, wear pink and drink only cocktails then ask one of the MOngrel Mob out for a square dance.

Follow my instructions and you'll win a free flight home, just a pity you won't be alive to enjoy it!

Answer 10

It's all a bit scary leaving the security of your own home town / country. But like every where theres crap on the streets so if you do soft drugs go to Nimbin. Ask about the dog. Remember everybodys someone else's idiot, but don't like to know it. Have a good time and good luck.