Visiting Sidney, Australia on business. Need to know about nonverbal/verbal communication styles?

Answer 1

I am assuming that you are from the US, because you do not tell us. This will be part of your problem.

Learn to spell Sydney.

There will not be too much difference. Your comfort zone for personal proximity will probably be a bit smaller than ours. Back off a bit.

Your noise level in general conversation will seem excessively loud. Speak softly.

Do not assume that your way of doing things is automatically superior, and definitely don't instruct the locals about how things should be done. We do not particularly care how things are done "back home".

If you are completely baffled by a conversation or remark it is probably a joke. We find your sense of humour to be unsubtle at best.

A smile and an offer to buy someone a beer will solve most issues.

And do not assume that we are a laid back race disinclined to work. We spread that little rumour to catch fools unawares.

Answer 2

Brilliant answer above, give him 10 points and for goodness' sake take note of what he says. He is, like, so totally spot on, dude. Try not to be negative and do not whine on at top volume. My daughter's father is from America and when he visits us in Australia, I have to keep on telling him to lower the noise by several million decibels and stop droning on about how much better, bigger, cheaper, everything is in the "United States". Most Australians' response to that would be: "Why don't you just **** off back there?" If you're asked for a direct comparison and you can't be positive, try really hard to be tactful.

And misspelling Sydney would be number one on your list of transgressions, especially if you're here on business.

I had an Uncle Sidney who lived in Perth. Quite confusing. Yes, that's P-E-R-T-H.