TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION
II. AUSTRALIA
a. DOS and DON’TS
b. NIGHTLIFE
c. TRANSPORTATION
d. CURRENCY
III. CONCLUSION
IV. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kelly Ronney
Jeni Disalvo
Culture Report
4/6/11
I. INTRODUCTION
In this report I will go over the important facts you need to know while traveling to Australia
for business trips and how to interact during social situations outside of the business setting.
Australia is a laid back country in general, but when it comes to business they are very serious. I
will overview the dos and don’ts of everyday interactions with Australian people as well as in
business settings, nightlife, and other travel information. First, we will go over the dos and
don’ts while traveling in Australia.
II. AUSTRALIA
DOS and DON’TS
These are just a few tips that one should follow while traveling in Australia. Most people
that travel to Australia try to fit in by using Aussie slangs such as “G’day Mate.” Visitors often
believe this will show Australians that they are attempting to fit in, but the reality is that they
think you are patronizing their culture, so instead you should simply just say “Hello, how are
you?” Aussie laid back personality is present when they prefer to use first names instead of titles,
even at initial meetings, so do not take offense to this. Australians prefer not to draw attention to
their accomplishments and tend to distrust others that try to boast about themselves. They are
very open-minded and do not judge people on any sort of hierarchal status.
(www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/australia.html:) Although Aussies are
known to be laid back they take their business very seriously and there are a few rules anyone
who plans on doing business with them should know before taking a trip over there.
Business attire is very dependent on where you are conducting business. If you visit
Brisbane many businesspeople wear shirts, ties and shorts; when you are visiting you should
dress up a little more than the natives and wear lightweight suits for the initial meeting to show
that you take business seriously. When doing business in Sydney and Melbourne suits are very
typical. When you arrive for a meeting you should be very punctual, be there on time but not too
early. (www.worldtravelguide.net/australia/business-etiquette) It is common to exchange
business cards at the beginning of the meeting during the initial introductions and handshakes;
handshakes are conducted at the beginning and ending of all meetings. It is common for one to
be invited to a barbie during ones visit.
If one is invited to an Aussie home you should consider bringing a small gift or
chocolate, wine, or flowers. Gift giving is usually not common during business interactions with
the exception of being invited to a home. (www.cyborlink.com/besite/australia.htm) When you
give the host their gift it will usually be opened right away in order for the host to show their
appreciation. Alcohol is a very common gift given for any occasion: parties, birthdays, and
holidays. If you have been invited to a Barbie, it is very common for the guests to bring wine or
beer for their own consumption and on rare occasions during informal barbies guests may be
asked to provide their own meat. You should follow Continental table manners during all
occasions. Make sure to be very respectful at all times, ask the host ahead of time if they would
like you to bring anything and always offer to help with the preparation and/or cleanup of the
meal. To show respect to the host for inviting you to the party make sure you arrive on time and
no more than 15 minutes late so that you do not throw any part of the party off.
(www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/australia.html) It is also very common for
business meetings to happen during meals.
Much business is conducted during tea time. This is very common because of the British
influence in much of Australian society. “Afternoon tea” is common around 4pm and would be
classified as a light snack. “Tea” is from 6-8pm and is similar to out dinner. “Supper” is a light
late night meal. (www.ehow.com/how_2038720_practice-business-etiquette-australia.html)
Australians often have smaller meals and therefore eat more often. After business is conducted
you might consider seeing the nightlife of Australia as it is very unique compared to American
culture.
NIGHTLIFE
Australia’s nightlife is seen as very unique to many cultures because anyone can sit down
and drink with whomever and no on will see that as odd. People are looked at by who they are as
a person rather than discriminations of color, race, ethnicity, or gender. A very popular nightlife
location is Melbourne’s Section 8 bar. “Located in an alley in the middle of Melbourne's CBD,
Section 8 uses packing crates as seats. The toilets are made out of shipping containers and the bar
is just enclosed with a fence. Section 8 attracts rich businessmen, Japanese tourists, struggling
artists and even homeless people.(www.convictcreations.com/culture/socialrules.htm)” It attracts
so many people because it is not flashy and people feel comfortable and able to mingle among
people from different social and economic status. The most important rule to learn while
drinking in Australia is the “round”. This is very similar to the “rounds” are very similar to how
we perform them in America, but there are a few suddle differences. One person will buy drinks
for every person in the group; once the drinks have been consumed a different member of the
group will buy the next round. This continues until every member in the group has paid for one
round of drinks. You should not go out of order of the rounds and every member in the group
must purchase the same number of rounds. This is what makes it so easy for people to be
accepted by one another, if you wish to join a group of people drinking you can join the group by
simply buying everyone a round and you are accepted into the group immediately. This rule is
the same for both men and women. Women are not looked down upon for drinking with men as
long as she follows the rule of buying a round. This makes everyone equal and relieves
unnecessary tension. This rule is often not followed in night-clubs and rather just in pubs. When
going to a restaurant with a group of friends the bill is split among everyone at the table. No one
at the table wants to pay for anyone else and none of them want other to pay for them. An
exception to this rule is made during business, where a bill can be paid by one member as a way
of making good relations. It is optional to tip while in Australia, one should only tip if the service
was above average in restaurants and you do not usually tip bartenders. No offense is taken if
one chooses not to tip, you will still receive the same service. There are a few exceptions about
tipping taxi drivers while traveling in
Australia.(www.convictcreations.com/culture/socialrules.htm)
TRANSPORTAION
When traveling through Australia the transportation is very similar to that of America.
Taxi drivers are very common and as stated earlier the rules about tipping your driver are very
different to what we are used to. Taxis are only given a tip if they performed an above average
service which could be determined by if they started conversation with you. While riding in a
taxi it is very common and polite for the front seat to be utilized. This makes it much easier for
conversation and makes it less like the one being driven is superior to the driver.
(http://www.convictcreations.com/culture/socialrules.htm)
CURRENCY
Australian currency is made from plastic so that they money is cleaner and can be
recycled easier. They have coins that are 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and one and two dollar coins.
Bills are in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and so on denominations. The exchange rate for Australian dollar
to US dollars is, 1 Australian dollar = 1.0499 US dollars.(www.dfat.gov.au/facts/currency.html)
III. CONCLUSION
This information should be able to provide you with enough information to have a
successful business trip while representing The United States of America in a respectable
manner. A major thing to remember is to be respectful at all times, if you are unsure of how to
act or what to do just ask, and follow what the locals do and you will do well.
IV. BIBLIOGRAPHY
“Australian Government” www.dfat.gov.au/facts/currency.html
This website helped me learn about the currency in Australia.
“Important Social Rules” www.convictcreations.com/culture/socialrules.htm
This website helped me learn the major social etiguette rules. This mainly
regarded the nightlife aspect.
“ How to Practice Business in Australia” www.ehow.com/how_2038720_practice-
business-etiquette-australia.html
This website helped me find information on how typical business is conducted in
Australia and the major differences from other cultures.
“Australia- Culture, Customs, and Etiquette”
www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/australia.html
This helped me figure out the etiquette of meals and parties that one might be
invited to attend.
“Australia” www.cyborlink.com/besite/australia.htm
This website gave me a lot of basic overview information on Australia.
“Australia business etiquette” www.worldtravelguide.net/australia/business-etiquette
This was another website that really helped me understand the different business
interactions and situations that one might expect to find in Australia.