American expat shares a VERY lengthy list of ‘culture shocks’ she’s faced in Australia

American expat shares a VERY lengthy list of ‘culture shocks’ she’s faced in Australia – from the ‘stressful’ way people drive to the food in restaurants

  • An American expat has revealed eight things which shocked her in Australia
  • The woman included Aussies shortening every word on the detailed list
  • She also reveled her jaw dropped when the C word was used casually near her

An American expat has revealed a list of things that have shocked her since she moved to Australia.

Tate Duane, who posts under the name Tatesescape, revealed she has been left puzzled over everything from the way Australians drive and speak to the food served up in restaurants.

The first on the list is that Australians drive on the opposite side of the road – which is ‘stressful’ for her.

‘I have lived abroad before, I have driven on the wrong side of the road, but for some reason here watching people drive stresses me out,’ she said. 

 

Tate Duane, who posts under the name Tatesescape , revealed she has been left puzzled over everything from the way Australians drive and speak to the food served up in restaurants 

Left turns give her the most anxiety – while she struggles with rules about not being allowed to turn right ‘on red’.

The second shock is that Australians like to shorten their words: ‘Every word is shortened, even if it doesn’t need to be shortened,’ she said.

‘A lady came in the other day and ordered two caps, and I thought she said two cups so I handed her two cups, but she wanted two cappuccinos.’

She said the word ‘keen’ is never used in the US – but she has heard it a lot since coming to Australia.

‘I think it is so funny. Like when people text “KEEEEEN” when hey are so excited for something,’ she said.

She went on to compare US tradies and those from Australia.

‘All of our plumbers in the US are stereo typed as these older men. Here everyone is so young. Like all of the electricians, plumbers, miners,’ she said.

She then said that Asian food is a ‘yes’ in Australia while Mexican is a ‘no’.

What are Tate’s top eight culture shocks after moving to Australia? 

 1 – Australians will shorten any and every word – including cappuccino to cap

2 – The use of the word ‘keen’ to express excitement

3 –  Tradies are young – not old

4 – The music in clubs is techno and British rap 

5 – The casual use of the C word

6 – Driving on the left, and red light rules ie not being able to turn right on red

7 – Asian food is great but Mexican food isn’t

8 – There are no squirrels  

She also pointed out that there is British rap and techno music everywhere – which is ‘wild’ for an American to experience.

She added : ‘The way that there are no squirrels on this entire continent blows my mind,’ she said. “How did that happen?”

She then points out the use of the C word – something many Australians feel comfortable with – while it is still very taboo in the US. 

She then points out the use of the C word - something many Australians feel comfortable with - while it is still very taboo in the US

She then points out the use of the C word – something many Australians feel comfortable with – while it is still very taboo in the US 

‘My jaw dropped the first time I heard it thrown around so casually,’ she admitted.

Despite the huge list of culture shocked Tate says she loves being in Australia.

‘I’ll probably never leave,’ she said.

People also jumped at the opportunity to educate the young traveller in the comments.

‘Right on red would take you across traffic and you would die,’ one woman said.

‘What we lack in squirrels we make up for in possums,’ another added.

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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk