Hanging Out With Your Australian Friends

One of the most important immigration information for Australia that many travelers need to know about is the customs of the people in the country. As what you might have already known, Australian culture has its own unique quirks. So it is definitely a good idea to know more about them in order to make interacting with Australians much easier.

The first thing you will encounter is, of course, being introduced to an Australian. Here, you will likely be a bit surprised that your introduction will not be all that formal. In fact, it might be as casual as saying “hi, this is...” You see, Australians are very much relaxed when encountering new acquaintances, so you will definitely be at ease when meeting them for the first time. A handshake is often enough to close the meeting between the two of you.

Also, don't be taken back when your new Australian friend actually starts calling you by your first name. This is in fact very normal and again, owes to the locals being more relaxed. You are actually allowed to do the same and even encouraged to do so, as Australians see it as a sign of warmness on your part.

Another thing that you will likely notice is that Australians love conversing. And they will talk on many topics that they can think of. This is actually a good way of starting a great relation with your new found friend. One of the topics that you can start with is something having to do with sports, as Australians are indeed sports junkies.

However, it is likely that you are still trying to grasp Australian English at this stage. So if you are unsure of your ability to converse in the local language, it would actually be a good idea to stick to standard English. In case you don't understand a term that your companion is using, ask him softly what it means. Never attempt to use any word that you have just recently heard, as this might put you in a rather embarrassing situation.

Humor is also a big part of socializing among Australians. So don't be surprised in case you end up the butt of jokes when with your friends, also don't be onion skinned. You can respond with a snappy comeback and this will make your chat actually even livelier. However, make sure that you avoid any joke that might potentially be off the mark, or even racist, as this would leave a bad taste to others.

Also, you need to know the various customs with regards to going to gatherings with your friends. For instance, if you are invited to a dinner at a friend's house, it is customary that you bring in at least a bottle of wine or a dish to the occasion. Also, be sure to observe proper table manners when dining with friends.

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