Culture Shock in Australia

Expats moving to Australia have certain advantages on their side: a sophisticated infrastructure, a good system of healthcare, stunning shopping opportunities and easy access to advice from those who’ve been through it before. Still, as with any transition to a new country, there comes a difficult acclimatisation period from the familiar to the unknown. What was so straightforward back home, can now take twice the amount of time.
 
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. In the business world especially, Australians do not place as much emphasis on building the relationships before negotiations, as is often 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.