Culture and Society

Etiquette varies from location to location, as well as values and what people consider appropriate or not.  It might take time to adjust or you can easily adjust quickly.

Australian respects everyone and treat everyone the same. Some tips that can help you in the transformation are:

• Addressing people – Australians usually have a first name and last name, depending how comfortable you feel with the person and the relationship you have with them you will call them Mr. and Mrs. Or by their first name.  
• Greetings- good morning, good afternoon and good evening are formal, informal greeting are hello or hi.
• Please and thank you – say please when requesting something and thank you.
• Personal space – Australia is a big country with a small population, there’s enough room to spread out your arm and still have enough space, make sure not to get in the personal space of anyone else.
• Dress – Australians dress casual.  If more formal dress is require you usually are told.  Feel comfortable to dress how you best feel, that is what everyone does here.
• Queuing – People queue when they are waiting in turn for something (such as a taxi, bus, at a ticket counter, or for a cashier).  Never push ahead of other or jump ahead. It is not accepted.
• Punctuality – If you can’t keep an appointment or invitation or are running late always call to explain before the event, don’t stand someone up.
• Smoking – smoking is banned in government buildings, on public transport including domestic and many international flights, theatres, shopping centers and many indoor and outdoor public meeting places.  If you are going to smoke let it be in your own location.  
• Equality everyone’s right is protected by the constitution, everyone has a say.
• Spitting – spitting in public is illegal and will not be accepted.
• Personal hygiene – you need to shower, wear perfume, it is courtesy here in Australia to do that.  
• Littering – Australia is a clean location and littering is not permitted and you can be fined.  
• Table manners – Use your manners, learn about utensils, ask questions and eat with them, unless you can eat with your fingers at a more informal affair.