When I first moved to Australia from Canada, I thought the biggest adjustments would be the wildlife, the slang, and learning to drive on the left side of the road. I was wrong. The real challenge was discovering all the little habits I'd picked up in North America that apparently weren't flying here.
Savannah Ip
Some of these mistakes earned me weird looks. Others had people laughing at me. And a few had Australians politely (or not so politely) letting me know I was doing it wrong. Consider this your cheat sheet for avoiding the same embarrassment.
Savannah Ip
1. Making friends with locals has honestly been one of the hardest parts of moving here. Many people already have their cliques from high school or uni, so it can sometimes feel a little discouraging when you don't get invited to things or aren't introduced to the wider group.
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Dating within friendship groups seems to be the norm here, and everyone appears to know each other's exes.
It can be discouraging, but don't let it stop you. Keep saying yes to new opportunities, stay open-minded, and remember that finding genuine friendships takes time. You'll eventually find your people.
Savannah Ip
Shout out to my bestie Parnian!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know what I'd do without her here. <33333
2. When my friend visited from Canada, she ordered full-cream milk with her matcha latte, and my Australian friends were genuinely shocked. It turns out most people here seem to opt for oat, almond, or another milk alternative instead.
Savannah Ip
It's also really hard to find cold brews in Australia. I guess it's not really a thing here.
3. Maybe this is just a Gold Coast thing, where I live, but people seem to take social media pretty seriously. I've accidentally walked through someone's photo, and their reaction made me feel like I'd committed a petty crime.
Tatiana Maksimova / Getty Images
Influencer culture is huge here. They get treated like celebrities. It's very interesting.
There's nothing wrong with posting for the 'gram, but if you're getting visibly upset and stressing over a photo for your 3,000 followers, I think it's time to touch grass.
dikushin / Getty Images
Someone had to say it.
4. Unlike in North America, tipping isn't expected in Australia, so don't feel guilty if you don't leave one. The minimum wage is a little over $25 an hour, and many cafés and restaurants are self-service—you'll often grab your own cutlery, napkins, and water.
Savannah Ip
But if you receive amazing service and want to leave a little extra, it's definitely appreciated!
Olga Rolenko / Getty Images
5. Australia always feels a few steps behind when it comes to trends and pop culture. Memes arrive five to ten business days late, movies take weeks to hit the cinema, and it sometimes feels like new slang doesn't officially make it here until Drake raps about it.
Simone Joyner / Getty Images
Drake is loved around here. The people who know every lyric seem to understand me just a little bit better.
6. Whatever you do, don't mix up rugby and Australian Rules Football (AFL). I accidentally did once, and people looked genuinely offended. While both are hugely popular, they're completely different sports.
Sarah Reed/AFL Photos / Getty Images, Daniel Pockett / Getty Images
This is AFL. I've never heard of it before coming to Australia.
Rugby is played on a rectangular field with scrums and tackles, while AFL is played on a massive oval where players kick, handball, and take spectacular high-flying marks. Trust me—you'll want to know the difference.
Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images
This is Rugby. It's so intense, and the players are HUGE.
7. I wish I'd learned about tall poppy syndrome a lot sooner. It's basically the idea that if you talk yourself up too much, someone will probably bring you back down to earth. I've learned that Australians generally appreciate confidence—but they appreciate humility even more.
Sergej Razvodovskij / Getty Images
I don't know if it's just me, but my compliments never seem to land the way I intend them to. I once told someone I liked their hat, and I'm convinced they thought I was hitting on them. Then I complimented a friend's hair, and she genuinely believed I was trying to "destiny swap" with her. I wish I were joking.
8. I recently got out of a four-year relationship at 30. There's absolutely nothing wrong with being single at this age, but it definitely feels different in Australia.
Savannah Ip
Long distance is HARD.
Back in Toronto, being 30, unmarried, child-free, and heading back to school still feels pretty normal. I'm basically a spring chicken. Here, I've met plenty of people my age who are already married with two or three kids.
Alexandr Kolesnikov / Getty Images
9. I genuinely miss Diet Coke so much. It's become a habit to order it at restaurants, only to be met with a confused look and, "We don't have Diet Coke... is Coke Zero okay?" I've made this mistake so many times that you'd think I'd have learned by now.
Patrick T. Fallon / Getty Images
I'm salivating just looking at this picture.
10. One of the biggest cultural differences I've noticed is how people express their emotions. My Canadian friends and I tend to be pretty direct. We don't hide our opinions or how we're feeling.
Savannah Ip
I've also been told I make a lot of facial expressions, which my Australian friends seem to find endlessly entertaining.
If I'm PMSing, sad, or frustrated, you're going to hear about it. My Australian friends usually sit back, laugh, and enjoy the show.
Savannah Ip
I think I was PMSing in this picture.
11. Things close much earlier here, and it took me a while to get used to it. Because people start their days so early, cafés and shops often call it a day earlier too.
Amy Sparwasser / Getty Images
If business is slow, some places will even close before their advertised hours. You can't fight it. Just embrace it... and maybe start setting your alarm a little earlier.
JannHuizenga / Getty Images
12. Australians love a drink. Me? Not so much. After one cocktail, I'm itchy, flushed, and ready for bed, so drinking has never really been my thing. What surprised me most was how often people assumed there had to be a bigger reason behind it when I simply said, "I don't like it."
Savannah Ip
A lot of bars refuse to serve shooters/shots for some reason.
My advice is to be upfront about it. You might get a few surprised reactions at first, but people quickly move on. And always have some sort of drink in your hand. My preference is a Coke Zero or plain water.
Savannah Ip
Australia has a huge drinking culture, which is funny considering many bars close around midnight.
13. You need to take SPF seriously because the sun does not mess around in this part of the world (I learned that the hard way). Back in Canada, you can get away with skipping sunscreen every now and then, even during the summer.
Savannah Ip
If I leave the house without it, I immediately panic because sunburns here are no joke...and they are soooooo painful.
Guido Mieth / Getty Images
Skip the spray sunscreen and go for the lotion instead. I learned the hard way that the lotion worked much better for me under the Australian sun.
14. Asking for modifications to your food order is basically a sin here (unless it's for allergies or dietary requirements, of course). One time I asked for a dry almond cappuccino, and they flat-out said no. Safe to say, I'll never be doing that again.
Savannah Ip, Getty Images
15. I've finally accepted that they're called "thongs" here. Every time I used to say "flip-flops," my Australian friends would burst out laughing.
Javier Zayas / Getty Images
16. Lastly, if you're moving to Australia, you'll probably stick out like a sore thumb since most places here are pretty homogeneous. You'll probably feel like you need to blend in because it seems like the easier option. But my advice is to embrace what makes you unique.
Savannah Ip
Not everyone will understand your background, your humour, or the way you do things—and that's okay. The moment I stopped trying to fit in and started being myself was the moment I started finding my people. That's also when I truly started enjoying my new life here.
Savannah Ip
Which one surprised you the most? Is there a cultural rule I completely missed? Drop it in the comments. I have a feeling Australia still has a few more lessons to teach me. And if you've ever moved to another country, tell me the funniest mistake you made trying to fit in.
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