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Australia: A Quick Guide to Customs & Etiquette
Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is the most isolated city in the world, it is closer to Singapore than it is to Sydney. Australia is the world’s largest island, smallest continent and today it has one of the world’s highest standards of living.
The belief in being “Fair Dinkum” – honest, up-front and a person who keeps to their word harks back to pioneering days. That isn’t to say that the phrase is obsolete today because immigrants were quick to pick it up. They converted to what epitomized the Australian way of life and with a new intensity.
Culture Smart! is a concise guide to understanding the Australian people. It will illuminate the complexities of their collective personality. Familiarise yourself with their customs, traditions and culture and experience Australia authentically.
"Culture Smart has come to the rescue of hapless travellers." Sunday Times Travel
"... the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries." Global Travel
"...full of fascinating-as well as common-sense-tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas." Observer
"...as useful as they are entertaining." Easyjet Magazine
"...offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world." New York Times
The belief in being “Fair Dinkum” – honest, up-front and a person who keeps to their word harks back to pioneering days. That isn’t to say that the phrase is obsolete today because immigrants were quick to pick it up. They converted to what epitomized the Australian way of life and with a new intensity.
Culture Smart! is a concise guide to understanding the Australian people. It will illuminate the complexities of their collective personality. Familiarise yourself with their customs, traditions and culture and experience Australia authentically.
"Culture Smart has come to the rescue of hapless travellers." Sunday Times Travel
"... the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries." Global Travel
"...full of fascinating-as well as common-sense-tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas." Observer
"...as useful as they are entertaining." Easyjet Magazine
"...offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world." New York Times
168 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 3, 2023
Quick read, great info and funny stories. Hopefully it helps me make the most of my upcoming trip.
September 9, 2019
Better than nothing, but I am reliably informed by a native Australian that a good deal of the information (especially involving slang and commonly-used phrases) is wrong.
Also -- how could Bill Bryson's In a Sunburned Country NOT be listed in the Further Reading section?! Such an omission in and of itself is heresy.
Also -- how could Bill Bryson's In a Sunburned Country NOT be listed in the Further Reading section?! Such an omission in and of itself is heresy.
May 1, 2020
I'm not sure what this book really wants to do. It's more like a very basic travel guide that doesn't really get into customs and culture at all. And when I say very basic, I seriously mean it. There was one very small section that discussed casual dining - and you'll be happy to know that Australia has many casual dining establishments. Just don't look for any more detail than that because that's all you will find. Not even an example of a few notable places in a couple major cities. Nope, just know there are many. Hostels? Australia has them...some good and some bad. That's it. Australia has food. Some healthy and some not-so-healthy. Some barbeque. You might get a mention of fish and chips here and there. They're probably served at one of the many casual dining establishments. But don't depend on this book for any cultural relevance or importance of certain dishes. The oddest part was on business, with the author writing as though the way they conduct business was unique to Australia. You know, crazy unique things like calling to schedule an appointment if you want a meeting with a business, dressing professionally, being prepared to answer questions if giving a presentation... What?? This is normal business conduct anywhere in the world. Why spend the time delving into this but overlooking rich detail that IS unique to Australia?
There were starts of what could have been interesting anecdotes only to fall flat because they abruptly end without fulfilling the "customs & culture" promise of the title. There is so much that can be explored and virtually none of it is. Instead, the author repeatedly just tells the reader to read up on it elsewhere. If I had known that, I would have saved myself the time and read elsewhere to begin with. An easy read but a huge letdown.
There were starts of what could have been interesting anecdotes only to fall flat because they abruptly end without fulfilling the "customs & culture" promise of the title. There is so much that can be explored and virtually none of it is. Instead, the author repeatedly just tells the reader to read up on it elsewhere. If I had known that, I would have saved myself the time and read elsewhere to begin with. An easy read but a huge letdown.
October 3, 2019
This book didn't know what it wanted to do. It reads as facts one minute, then suggestions for travelers, as a guide book the next, then an explanation on politics and population. What it misses doing well is really getting to the customs and culture. It becomes a beginning guide to Australia and why it is that way and how to visit.
On looking into the authors, only one is listed but Gina Teague is also give co-author credit elsewhere. She is a "trainer" on cross culture management and that comes through big time in parts of this book. it is a relocation, going for work, then flips to a visit book. Inconsistent. This might be good as a quick guide for a business person going to Australia to get an idea.
Then there is things like explaining how vulgar words to an "American" (not Britt) like and they keep emphasizing words that are more British, not always American, that aren't so vulgar. Here is a question for you Americans out there, like me. Is bloody vulgar? Well we are explaned that it is like the "f" word. No kidding I quote it because instead of saying the word, we get the f-word. **sigh** I'm American and we don't use bloody and if we do it is 1. funny sounding, 2. more like saying damn. So it calls into question about their expertise, but since it is Americanisms I might give a pass. But... one of the authors lived here (really) 16 years. She is British so maybe she is speaking of reactions from her using bloody? I have no idea but it isn't something we use regularly unless we are emulating a Brit.
So a couple of interesting things, some real boring parts that read like a guide book (which if it were a guide book I'd go to the part I want not this drivel) and then some interesting political working. Then there is the corporate suggesting that are just boring altogether for me as I'm not wanting to read "how to conduct business in Australia without looking like an ass" I'm reading Culture Smart! guide to customs & culture. There were things repeated from the business section to the visiting section like they were written by different people and not even looked at later. Probably were.
So was it a total waste, no. It was interesting in parts, really boring in others (like how to use your fork and knife. No kidding) and in some, it just was. I give it 2 1/2- 3 because I was more entertained than not.
On looking into the authors, only one is listed but Gina Teague is also give co-author credit elsewhere. She is a "trainer" on cross culture management and that comes through big time in parts of this book. it is a relocation, going for work, then flips to a visit book. Inconsistent. This might be good as a quick guide for a business person going to Australia to get an idea.
Then there is things like explaining how vulgar words to an "American" (not Britt) like and they keep emphasizing words that are more British, not always American, that aren't so vulgar. Here is a question for you Americans out there, like me. Is bloody vulgar? Well we are explaned that it is like the "f" word. No kidding I quote it because instead of saying the word, we get the f-word. **sigh** I'm American and we don't use bloody and if we do it is 1. funny sounding, 2. more like saying damn. So it calls into question about their expertise, but since it is Americanisms I might give a pass. But... one of the authors lived here (really) 16 years. She is British so maybe she is speaking of reactions from her using bloody? I have no idea but it isn't something we use regularly unless we are emulating a Brit.
So a couple of interesting things, some real boring parts that read like a guide book (which if it were a guide book I'd go to the part I want not this drivel) and then some interesting political working. Then there is the corporate suggesting that are just boring altogether for me as I'm not wanting to read "how to conduct business in Australia without looking like an ass" I'm reading Culture Smart! guide to customs & culture. There were things repeated from the business section to the visiting section like they were written by different people and not even looked at later. Probably were.
So was it a total waste, no. It was interesting in parts, really boring in others (like how to use your fork and knife. No kidding) and in some, it just was. I give it 2 1/2- 3 because I was more entertained than not.
January 29, 2022
"Not great, not terrible" as the quote was from HBO Chernobol series. The book is from 2016 so not the most recent, it's also quite short but does cover the "Australia for dummies" function. Talking about geography (regions and cities), history, culture, way of working and living etc. And it wouldn't be a book about Australia if if didn't cover HOW NOT TO DIE IN THE WILD (in short: don't go to or do what the locals would not).
February 9, 2024
This a collection of cultural "fun facts" that may or may not help one navigate life in Australia. For instance, I learned of key matches that fuel the Australia-New Zealand cricket rivalry, but I still have zero understanding of how cricket is played. It was all a little superficial and forgettable. Maybe okay for a holiday, but not an actual move.
October 20, 2023
Not exactly a page turner, but a short and sweet intro to the dos and don'ts of Aussie life and culture. I realize by listening to this that I know very little about Australia, so it's a good intro book.
August 3, 2023
Great overall! Needs some updating with regard to technology, travel and some economic aspects but still very insightful.
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January 12, 2024AUSTRALIA - Culture Smart, by Barry Penney, was used as a reference to help write my book, "MINDREACHER - The Galapagos Incident," the second book in the mindreacher series. A U.S. Navy Spearhead class ship leaving Australia and the gay crew of an Australian humanitarian ship help a team working for the President stop an international incident that would change the world. It was necessary to learn a few customs to be accurate when working on board the Australian vessel. Fun to read, the book makes me want to travel down under to experience the luxury of the South Pacific and all it has to offer. A great reference book by a company that writes such books about many countries: info@kuperard.co.uk. Definitely one to keep on the shelves. irenebaron.com
August 13, 2015
I quite like learning about different countries and customs. It's a shame I never got to visit.
September 17, 2016
Very broad introduction to visiting Australia but still very interesting.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews