Country 'rules' and good old Aussie character...

{it would all be "beer & skittles" if everyone followed these dorm room rules}

Before we arrive in a new country, we have a quick search on the internet to find out the tipping practices and any cultural 'rules' we should be aware of (I highly recommend doing this so you don't end up being unknowingly rude at a cafe in Portugal)

I was thinking to other day what are common etiquette practices in Australia and had a bit of a laugh over what I found. (You can click on the link to read the full article). Here are two of my favourites :

{info below sourced from http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/mgo-g255055-s606?rev=67}

"Australian service is often more casual than in many countries, even in expensive restaurants and hotels. You will very rarely get fawning service in Australia - in keeping with Australia's relaxed national character that usually seeks to treat everyone as equals. However, if you have received rude or incompetent service, you should complain, politely, or do what Australians tend to do (given that Australians also generally don't like to cause a fuss) and just never go back to that establishment again."

"People using ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) expect you to stand up to one to two metres behind them and not in direct line of sight with their screen. Australians always form a line (called a "queue", pronounced "cue") at a teller in a bank, when waiting for service at a counter-service cafe or anywhere else. Australians frown on people who push into a line and will express their displeasure if they feel that someone is pushing in."

Oh how I miss queues! Or just general orderly lines! I'll take anything over fight-to-the-death-for-a-metro-ticket.

I love Australia.