Hands down, the most popular questions I was, and still am, continuously asked is “What is the difference between Australia and America?” “What did you like/dislike most about the differences?” and I was even asked the naive questions like, “Which country is better?” “Is America better than Australia?” Let me get this started off with me saying…
There is nothing in this world like your own country.
These are the most eye-catching and noticeable differences that I came across during my travels in the 12 states out of 52 in America.
DISCLAIMER: I have no intention at all of sounding ignorant or hostile towards these cultural differences. These things are my OWN personal opinion and experiences.
PRONUNCIATION OF WORDS // SLANG
The different levels of politeness is something I noticed tremendously. Australia has its own way of communicating manners that largely differ from the American culture. For example, if I misheard what someone has said I would respond with “pardon me?” or “excuse me?” In America, 95% of the time I found that people will respond with “what?” or “huh?” This sort of response does in fact, come across as impolite in Australia. Another aspect of manners is the term “thank-you”. Saying thank-you in Australia you will get a reply of with “no worries”, “no problem” or “you’re welcome”. In America you will get the occasional “you’re welcome”, but their large-scale reply is “mmm hmm”, which sounds dismissive to Aussie ears and quite rude. This is something I did adopt to very quickly, it became less of a big deal and it was something I didn’t even notice towards to end.
The different levels of politeness is something I noticed tremendously. Australia has its own way of communicating manners that largely differ from the American culture. For example, if I misheard what someone has said I would respond with “pardon me?” or “excuse me?” In America, 95% of the time I found that people will respond with “what?” or “huh?” This sort of response does in fact, come across as impolite in Australia. Another aspect of manners is the term “thank-you”. Saying thank-you in Australia you will get a reply of with “no worries”, “no problem” or “you’re welcome”. In America you will get the occasional “you’re welcome”, but their large-scale reply is “mmm hmm”, which sounds dismissive to Aussie ears and quite rude. This is something I did adopt to very quickly, it became less of a big deal and it was something I didn’t even notice towards to end.
FOOD FOOD FOOD // CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP
America takes the cards with this one… Larger meals and beverages for less money. In Australia going out to eat, the food is usually of high quality, but you do pay your money for it. Going out for dinner in America and ordering a normal meal, you will be plated with a serve of chips (fries), salad/vegetables, bread, biscuit (scone) and then your actual meal. Oh, and you are welcomed with a glass or water and free refills (at the majority of places). In Australia, you order your meal and sometimes it will be plated with chips (fries) or your choice of salad/vegetables (sometimes these things are an extra charge). Take-away (take-out) restaurants are the most substantial differences I experienced. In Australia, a medium sized McDonalds meal can range between $15-20. In America, they can range between $5-10. So instead of paying nearly $50 for a family lunch at McDonalds down under, in the states you’re paying $25. America, you sure showed me how to put on weight…
America takes the cards with this one… Larger meals and beverages for less money. In Australia going out to eat, the food is usually of high quality, but you do pay your money for it. Going out for dinner in America and ordering a normal meal, you will be plated with a serve of chips (fries), salad/vegetables, bread, biscuit (scone) and then your actual meal. Oh, and you are welcomed with a glass or water and free refills (at the majority of places). In Australia, you order your meal and sometimes it will be plated with chips (fries) or your choice of salad/vegetables (sometimes these things are an extra charge). Take-away (take-out) restaurants are the most substantial differences I experienced. In Australia, a medium sized McDonalds meal can range between $15-20. In America, they can range between $5-10. So instead of paying nearly $50 for a family lunch at McDonalds down under, in the states you’re paying $25. America, you sure showed me how to put on weight…
WATER USAGE
To an extent with the majority of Aussie’s, there is sensitivity with water usage. The toilets in Australia has two flushing buttons, one is half flush and one is a full flush, in America there is one button or just a lever. The amount of water used to flush toilets in America is ridiculous compared to Australia. America, you would save so much water if you chucked in two flush buttons and halved the amount of water that is flushing!
To an extent with the majority of Aussie’s, there is sensitivity with water usage. The toilets in Australia has two flushing buttons, one is half flush and one is a full flush, in America there is one button or just a lever. The amount of water used to flush toilets in America is ridiculous compared to Australia. America, you would save so much water if you chucked in two flush buttons and halved the amount of water that is flushing!
UNIVERSITIES & SCHOOLS
American’s are all about school, education and extracurricular activities. Most, if not all of the students DO participate in an extracurricular activity and most of them do go to university (college). In Australia, there is not as much pressure on students to undertake activities, go to university or even finish high school. In Australia we have much more options outside of school to complete a course/certificate in a career and there are wider opportunities to get a job before finishing high school. Although, a lot of students do in fact go to university but it is not highly pressured by parents and society (this was the hardest thing to explain to Americans). Schools in America are so incredibly spirited and passionate about their school. Friday nights are football game nights, during the week there is basketball games, baseball games, cheer and football practice and so much more. In Australia, to participate in an extracurricular activity it can be quite expensive and they are held in the community outside of school.
American’s are all about school, education and extracurricular activities. Most, if not all of the students DO participate in an extracurricular activity and most of them do go to university (college). In Australia, there is not as much pressure on students to undertake activities, go to university or even finish high school. In Australia we have much more options outside of school to complete a course/certificate in a career and there are wider opportunities to get a job before finishing high school. Although, a lot of students do in fact go to university but it is not highly pressured by parents and society (this was the hardest thing to explain to Americans). Schools in America are so incredibly spirited and passionate about their school. Friday nights are football game nights, during the week there is basketball games, baseball games, cheer and football practice and so much more. In Australia, to participate in an extracurricular activity it can be quite expensive and they are held in the community outside of school.
Of course there is an infinite amount of differences that these two phenomenal, beautiful and unique countries have. The classic ones:
- Australian’s drive on the left side of the road, the American’s are on the right side of the road
-The accents we both has are distinct to those around the world
-The laws are totally different… Guns, gay marriage, marijuana…
-American’s believe us Aussie’s ride our Kangaroos to school
-American’s drive at 16 and drink at 21, Aussie’s drink at 18 and drive at 18
-Religion is widely practiced in America, in Australia we are culturally free
-Chips are fries, serviettes are napkins, toilet is bathroom, ute is truck, dummy is pacifier, mates is friends, tap is faucet, torch is flashlight and bum is butt
- Australian’s drive on the left side of the road, the American’s are on the right side of the road
-The accents we both has are distinct to those around the world
-The laws are totally different… Guns, gay marriage, marijuana…
-American’s believe us Aussie’s ride our Kangaroos to school
-American’s drive at 16 and drink at 21, Aussie’s drink at 18 and drive at 18
-Religion is widely practiced in America, in Australia we are culturally free
-Chips are fries, serviettes are napkins, toilet is bathroom, ute is truck, dummy is pacifier, mates is friends, tap is faucet, torch is flashlight and bum is butt
If it is one thing I learned while living in a foreign country is, that it has created me to grow a new fond love for my home country and has desired me to explore every inch of this beautiful, lucky country that I am so fortunate to live in. Australia is my home, and always will be… But there is that part of my heart that will forever call the deep American south my home.
