Debunking some myths about Australia as a foreigner
I’ve been living in Australia for almost 9 years now and 99% of my friends here are Australian! I’ve spent countless hours hanging out with them and their families, both in the city and out in the country. So, I feel like I know them pretty well. That’s why, whenever I see videos from people who just got to Australia and keep repeating the same old stereotypes, I can’t help but wonder…
Sure, everyone’s experience is different, and the locals you meet along the way aren’t always the same. But I thought I’d share my thoughts on some of the most common stereotypes about Australia based on my own experience as a foreigner.
So, buckle up and let’s dive in!
Australia is full of deadly animals!
Alright, I know this one’s a classic. Whenever people ask me about Australia, this is the first thing they usually mention. And it’s true, Australia is home to some pretty dangerous animals. But don’t worry, you won’t find them all lined up at the airport waiting to munch on you!
Most of the dangerous animals are usually found in the bush or out in the countryside. They’re not really interested in you, and you’re not really interested in them. There are some animals that you might find in the city, like the Sydney funnel web, blue-ringed octopus, or the redback spider, but it’s super rare that it would happen. And even when it comes to the ocean and its dangers, you’ll always find signs warning you and never forget to swim between the flags!
In my 9 years here, both living in the country and in the city, I’ve never seen any dangerous animal besides the blue-ringed octopus once in 2016, and there was a sign warning people about it.
The weather in Australia is always sunny and perfect.
Now, this one might surprise you. While it’s true that Australia does have a lot of sunshine, it’s not always perfect. There are times when it rains, and there are times when it’s cold. But hey, that’s just part of the charm of living here!
So, the weather in Australia can be a bit unpredictable. It’s a big country with different climates depending on where you are and the season. Sometimes it’s super dry and hot, like the summer of 2019, which caused a lot of fires and damage. But other times, it rains a lot and floods.
Generally, the weather in Australia is pretty stable but this is how I would describe it:
- Western and Northern Australia (Perth, Queensland, Northern Territory and maybe South Australia but I don’t know much about it (soz)) have warm and tropical weather all year round.
- Sydney has hot summers and mild winters with some rainy days.
- Melbourne can have four seasons in one day, and summer can be hotter than Sydney.
- Tasmania has cooler weather and winters because it’s closer to the South Pole.
Australians are friendly but “cold”
Australians are friendly and laid-back, but they can also be a bit reserved. I’ve heard people say they’re “cold,” but I’m not sure if that’s true. They are usually very welcoming and easy to get along with, are always up for a good time and can become your mate quickly.
But when it comes to getting close to someone, Australians might take a bit longer than Italians, especially Southern Italians like me.
I usually become friends with someone very quickly and invite them over after a few hours of meeting them. But that’s just my way of being friendly and welcoming. With Australians, it might take a bit more time to build a deep connection.
My friends here are mostly Aussies, and they’ve always been there for me, like family. We can chat about anything, and I know they’ll always be there for me.
Australia doesn’t have any culture
This is another comment that always makes my blood boil!
While Australia might not have hundreds of years’ worth of written, painted, or built culture like Europe or other places in the world do, it doesn’t mean it lacks culture!
The Aboriginal culture is the oldest in the world but it’s mostly oral-based. Australia’s culture is a beautiful mix of so many different ones, and this makes it very unique and special!
Australian English is strange
Australian English can be a bit tricky to understand at first. They use a lot of slang, and you better learn it quickly if you want to talk to them. Words like “Arvo,” “Avo,” “Servo,” “Brekkie,” “Bottle-O,” and more are part of their everyday vocabulary.
They also tend to swear a lot and use the C word fairly often (depending on the person), so be prepared for that.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these are just some stereotypes about Australia that I’ve come across. They’re just my thoughts based on my experience and the people I’ve met here. I’d love to hear your thoughts on them and if you have any other stereotypes to share!
