Australian Customs and Etiquettes
The etiquette and manners which you should follow when in Australia are given below:
Meeting Etiquette
- Australians are not very formal so greetings are casual and relaxed.
- A handshake and smile suffices.
- While an Australian may say, 'G'day' or 'G'day, mate', this may sound patronizing from a foreigner. Visitors should simply say, 'Hello' or 'Hello, how are you?'
- Aussies prefer to use first names, even at the initial meeting
Dining Etiquette
- Many invitations to an Aussies home will be for a 'barbie' (BBQ).
- Guests to a barbecue typically bring wine or beer for their personal consumption. In some cases, very informal barbecues may suggest that you bring your own meat!
- Arrive on time if invited to dinner; no more than 15 minutes late if invited to a barbecue or a large party.
- Contact the hostess ahead of time to see if she would like you to bring a dish.
- Offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served.
Table Manners
- Table manners are Continental -- hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
- Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel on your plate with the handles facing to the right.
- Keep your elbows off the table and your hands above the table when eating.
Business EtiquetteBusiness Meeting Etiquette
- Appointments are necessary and relatively easy to schedule.
- They should be made with as much lead time as possible.
- Punctuality is important in business situations. It is better to arrive a few minutes early than to keep someone waiting.
- Meetings are generally relaxed; however, they are serious events.
- If an Australian takes exception to something that you say, they will tell you so.
- If you make a presentation, avoid hype, making exaggerated claims, or bells and whistles.
- Present your business case with facts and figures. Emotions and feelings are not important in the Australian business climate.
Negotiating and Decision Making
- Australians get down to business quickly with a minimum amount of small talk.
- They are quite direct and expect the same in return. They appreciate brevity and are not impressed by too much detail.
- Negotiations proceed quickly. Bargaining is not customary. They will expect your initial proposal to have only a small margin for negotiation.
- They do not like high-pressure techniques.
- Decision-making is concentrated at the top of the company, although decisions are made after consultation with subordinates, which can make decision making slow and protracted.
Dress Code
- Business dress is conservative in Melbourne and Sydney.
- Men should wear a dark coloured, conservative business suit.
- Women should wear a smart dress or a business suit.
- In Brisbane or other tropical areas, depending on the job function and company culture, men may wear shirts, ties and Bermuda shorts.
Business/Visiting Cards
- Business cards are exchanged at the initial introduction without formal ritual.
- If you are not given a business card, it is not an insult; the person simply may not have one.
Communication & Relationships
- Australians are very matter of fact when it comes to business so do not need long- standing personal relationships before they do business with people.
- Australians are very direct in the way they communicate.
- There is often an element of humour, often self-deprecating, in their speech.
- Aussies often use colourful language that would be unthinkable in other countries.
Comments (9)
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Sultonmahmudov javohir4/26/2012 5:32:39 PM
HI I'm from Uzbekistan I would like study in Australia but I need a vise from the Australia. My dream studing in Australia I'm trying
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gurleen kharaud4/13/2012 12:48:57 PM
I am from Punjab India .I did my 12 class in medical stream . Right now i am doing Bachelor of Physiotherapy 1st year . what are the possibilities to continue it at Australia?
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ARUN PANDEY3/25/2012 9:16:51 PM
can i complete my B.Sc in australia??????
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Athar1/9/2012 1:33:06 PM
Dear Sir,I completed Board of Secondary School (SSC). Can I apply for diploma courses in Australia or canda.Please suggest me which is the best for me...RegardsMir Athar Ali
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raju12/29/2011 3:06:56 AM
i wish to go to study in melbourne.. for my undergraduate course..www.loudlisting.com/
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shreya12/29/2011 3:05:20 AM
i wish to go to study in melbourne.. for my undergraduate course.. Classifieds
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alexander12/16/2011 4:34:36 PM
i wish to do my high school in austalia.is there any chances for this?(after 10th)
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Marilana Cumani10/7/2011 1:23:56 AM
I am from Albania and i live in Greece,i whould like studie in Australia but i need a visa from the australian embassy.i need also an application from an australian university for the visa.what can i do?