10 Things You Should Never Say To an Australian
Australians have a great and ironic sense of humor. That being said, if you are traveling to Australia, there are a few things you should not say – you might just insult them. Here are 10 things you should never say to an Australian, you can thank us later….
Check out our most popular vacations that include both Australia & New Zealand!
Australia & New Zealand in 19 days
22 Day Australia & New Zealand
Put another shrimp on the barbie
Who doesn’t remember the film Crocodile Dundee? Tourism Australia in 1984 cast Paul Hogan to deliver the line ‘slip an extra shrimp on the barbie for ya’ in their 1984 tourist ad. The quote would become a well known Australian term,except for the small fact that Australian’s don’t use the word shrimp – they are called prawns.
Dingo ate my baby
Although Aussies have an irreverent sense of humor, this is probably where you should draw the line. This line, which has been popularized in the movie ‘A Cry in the Dark’ by Meryl Streep about a true event, in 1980 where a 9 week old baby was killed by a dingo, or wild dog. This phrase was never uttered by Lindy Chamberlain, the mother who in real live lost her baby which was taken by a dingo (wild dog) while on holiday in Uluru. In the film, Streep’s character, upon discovering her daughter missing, cries out, “A dingo’s got my baby.” The authorities disbelieved the family’s story about a dingo, and prosecuted and won convictions against Lindy Chamberlain for murder and against her then-husband as an accessory after the fact. Ultimately, the courts found both parents innocent after being sent to court 3 different times, and the coroner found Azaria’s death was “the result of being attacked and taken by a dingo”. To say this to anyone is wildly insensitive to the fact that a baby died that night in 1980.
Check out our
Vegemite is disgusting
Vegemite is considered a delicacy and like all delicacies, less is more. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you – don’t slather it on like you would butter or jam. If you follow these simple tips, you too can be a Happy Little Vegemite. It is also one of the richest sources of vitamin B, there’s a lot to be happy about. Miley Cyrus has a tattoo of a vegemite jar, isn’t that enough proof?
What’s the difference between Australia and New Zealand?
Australians love their cousins across the ditch but Australia and New Zealand are two very different places separated by over 2,000 kilometers. Comparing the two is the like saying that the United States and Canada are the same. Aside from the distance and the fact that they are two distinct countries, each has own unique culture and landscape too. Remember that each country has its own individual identity.
Check out our most popular vacations that include both Australia & New Zealand!
Australia & New Zealand in 19 days
22 Day Australia & New Zealand
Fosters is the best beer in the world
Ask any Australian and they will say you ‘clearly have never tried Carlton Draught.’ Yes, we Americans know Fosters is an Australian brand, but it is not the beer of choice for Aussies and is fact, much more popular with the British. Fosters isn’t even one of the top 10 Favorite beers. If you want to drink beer like a true blue Australian, opt for Victoria Bitter or, even better still, support your local micro-brewery.
I hate AFL
AFL? AFL is Australia’s NFL, the Australian Football League. Sports are a massive part of Australian culture. So it’s best to keep your opinions to yourself. To put Australia’s love of AFL in context, it has the fourth highest attendance of any professional sport in the world and in Victoria, the Friday before the Grand Final is celebrated with a public holiday and parade.
Check out this trip Australia
Sydney, Outback & Great Barrier Reef from $2,599
Kylie, you mean Jenner, right?
Kylie is a national treasure in Australia, and No, not Kylie Jenner. We are talking about Kylie Minogue, the undisputed Princess of Pop, who is a cultural icon.
American coffee is better
In Australia, coffee is an art form and their baristas are highly trained, especially in Melbourne. Preferring local cafés over big chains, Australians take their coffee seriously with a typical menu including pour over, aeropress, cold drip and cappuccinos variations. It is almost like asking where the Starbucks is while you are in Italy!
I don’t like slang
Down Under they abbreviate everything. The rule of thumb is that for any proper noun with three syllables, Aussies will have a shortened alternative; for example, McDonald’s becomes Maccas. Also, just to confuse tourists, they have a long list of words that make no sense and also use offensive language to describe their friends. For an example of a typical sentence, take this traffic report: “Got a bingle out in Broady. Towies on site but as a result it’s chockers in that direction.”
They are called flip-flops
No, they’re not! They are called thongs! These are a staple in any summer wardrobe. The term flip-flops doesn’t even make sense. They aren’t crabby patties—you can’t flip them over and wear them two ways. Admit it, the term is ridiculous and the world should adopt the word thongs to keep it simple.
Ready to plan your dream vacation?
Contact a Travel Team Agent at 1-800-788-0829
Don’t forget to check out our website and Like us on Facebook for the latest travel deals, news & tips!
