Cultures and Customs
Greetings
Men greeting Men – A firm handshake is common in formal and business situations. A simple nod of acknowledgment works in less formal situations. Women greeting Women – A handshake is common in formal and business situations. A nod of acknowledgment is common in less formal situations and between good friends and family a single kiss on the cheek tends to be the norm.
Greetings between Men and Women –A handshake tends to be the norm for formal and business situations. A nod of acknowledgment is common in less formal situations and between good friends and family a single kiss on the cheek tends to be the norm.
Dress
For Men: For a first meeting, a relatively conservative business suit is a good idea. Many companies allow business casual dress, which is usually nice pants and a collared shirt with or without a jacket. For Women: Dresses, pantsuits, or business suits are a good idea for a first meeting. Limited accessories are fine and it is best to avoid overly revealing clothing. Jeans and more casual attire are common in some industries. Being clean and well-groomed is generally appreciated.
Socializing
Australian students tend to socialize in similar ways to other western countries. Parties and excessive drinking are common in this age group. However, Australia is a very multicultural society so there a wide variety of activities are available. When visiting the house of new friends, bring a small gift - a bottle of wine, or flowers.
Personal Space
Roughly an arm’s length of personal space is generally acceptable during conversations. With friends or family it may be less. With business colleagues an arm’s length would be a minimum requirement, any closer could be deemed inappropriate, especially between colleagues of the opposite sex. Touching is generally kept to a minimum during conversations. Between friends and family, light touching to emphasize a point or show closeness is more common. As a general rule, shoulders, upper-arms and elbows are considered safe non sexual touching zones.
Laws
The legal drinking age is 18 and readily enforced.
Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
Eye Contact
Direct eye contact is acceptable and expected. Avoiding someone’s eyes during conversations is usually viewed as disrespectful and rude. While eye contact is preferred for those of the dominant culture, Aboriginal people do NOT make eye contact. In fact, a lack of eye contact is a mark of respect. This has big implications for the employability of Aboriginal people, and it's important for non-Indigenous people to be aware of this.
Gender Issues
Australia is a mostly egalitarian society when it comes to gender. Opportunities for women are varied and available. Women hold positions of power in various arenas. On social occasions or dating, people "split the bill." If you are invited to the movies, expect to pay for yourself. Rarely will a car door be opened for a female, but if it is, it is polite to lean over and open the driver door from the inside, but this is less common now because of keyless entry systems.
Source: Culturecrossing.net
Greetings
Men greeting Men – A firm handshake is common in formal and business situations. A simple nod of acknowledgment works in less formal situations. Women greeting Women – A handshake is common in formal and business situations. A nod of acknowledgment is common in less formal situations and between good friends and family a single kiss on the cheek tends to be the norm.
Greetings between Men and Women –A handshake tends to be the norm for formal and business situations. A nod of acknowledgment is common in less formal situations and between good friends and family a single kiss on the cheek tends to be the norm.
Dress
For Men: For a first meeting, a relatively conservative business suit is a good idea. Many companies allow business casual dress, which is usually nice pants and a collared shirt with or without a jacket. For Women: Dresses, pantsuits, or business suits are a good idea for a first meeting. Limited accessories are fine and it is best to avoid overly revealing clothing. Jeans and more casual attire are common in some industries. Being clean and well-groomed is generally appreciated.
Socializing
Australian students tend to socialize in similar ways to other western countries. Parties and excessive drinking are common in this age group. However, Australia is a very multicultural society so there a wide variety of activities are available. When visiting the house of new friends, bring a small gift - a bottle of wine, or flowers.
Personal Space
Roughly an arm’s length of personal space is generally acceptable during conversations. With friends or family it may be less. With business colleagues an arm’s length would be a minimum requirement, any closer could be deemed inappropriate, especially between colleagues of the opposite sex. Touching is generally kept to a minimum during conversations. Between friends and family, light touching to emphasize a point or show closeness is more common. As a general rule, shoulders, upper-arms and elbows are considered safe non sexual touching zones.
Laws
The legal drinking age is 18 and readily enforced.
Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
Eye Contact
Direct eye contact is acceptable and expected. Avoiding someone’s eyes during conversations is usually viewed as disrespectful and rude. While eye contact is preferred for those of the dominant culture, Aboriginal people do NOT make eye contact. In fact, a lack of eye contact is a mark of respect. This has big implications for the employability of Aboriginal people, and it's important for non-Indigenous people to be aware of this.
Gender Issues
Australia is a mostly egalitarian society when it comes to gender. Opportunities for women are varied and available. Women hold positions of power in various arenas. On social occasions or dating, people "split the bill." If you are invited to the movies, expect to pay for yourself. Rarely will a car door be opened for a female, but if it is, it is polite to lean over and open the driver door from the inside, but this is less common now because of keyless entry systems.
Source: Culturecrossing.net