Well we finally made it. After 18 months of planning, form filling, question answering and money throwing we made it to Australia!
So Australia speaks English, they drive on the same side of the road, they are part of the Commonweath should be easy right?
Well yes, sort of. Take this case in point:
I am standing at a cashpoint (ATM) with my new bank card. I put the card in the machine and the first question it asks me I have no idea how to answer. Do I take a guess and risk losing my card or paying a fee? SO I have to ask the guy next to me what to do! He looks at me like I am from Mars but helps me out none the less.
Another one:
I am in a shop looking to buy a duvet. I ask where the bedding section is and end up in the beds department with not a duvet in sight. I ask where the duvets are and I get a blank stare. After working out that Duvets are called Dunas I then get told they are in Manchester. Eh? Turns out Manchester is the name for bedding.....
Don't get me wrong I love Australia and embrace the differences that make it an individual and wonderful place. It just demonstrates that you need to leep an open mind and accept changes and differences as good things. Don't come with preconceptions, don't compare everything to home, always wear a smile!
Article Date: 10/11/08
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