Culture Shock in Australia
With any transition to a new country comes an upheaval from the familiar to the unknown. What was so straightforward back home, can now take twice the amount of time. Expats moving to Australia do have the advantages of a sophisticated infrastructure, good healthcare, shopping and lots of advice from those who’ve been through it before.
What is useful to know about Australian culture is that generally its people are open and friendly and informal in their relationships. Addressing Australians by their first name is accepted and common practice in every day communication and business relationships.
Expatriates will come to realise that Australians are very task oriented, and do not place as much emphasis on building the relationships first as is the case in other countries such as Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Informality is preferred, and Australians will get down to business straight away. Communication via phone or email is also perfectly acceptable.
Some expatriates do find that the Tall Poppy Syndrome is still alive and well in the country. This term refers to the social phenomenon of criticising people who are resented for their talents and achievements, particularly if there is a perception that they regard themselves as superior to their peers.
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