Cultural Differences: Australia vs UK

I thought since I’ve now lived in England for nearly three months now, it would be a great time to share with you some of the cultural differences that I have come across between here and my home country, Australia. Although the UK and Australia will always be tied together by their history of the convicts and first settlement, there are still many cultural differences despite both being developed and westernised places. I will list some of these below.

Flying into London.

Flying into Sydney.

As the majority of the convicts arrived to Australia from the UK, many of the natives here decided to call me a convict. Now as I have a good sense of humor I took this very lightly and therefore sometimes this turned into a joke. For example while looking after someone I ate the last caramel chocolate unknowingly that my client wanted it. So of course I was called a convict. I looked after a gentleman who had had a stroke and lost sight in his left eye and therefore didn’t have good vision towards his left, so one day I accidentally scared him as I walked past him on his left side and he goes. ‘Typical, you convicts jump at any chance to frighten the lives out of us poor Brits’.

As with Australia, the Brits have their slang. With words from balmy (crazy), banter (chatting), chav (bogan or rough person), chuffed (happy) and quid (British pound), you are bound to come across some funny ones, especially when put a certain way. One of my client’s sisters said to me that she was going to get her skanks on. Now I don’t know about where you are from but in Australia that either means that I’m getting my slutty clothes on or that I will start acting promiscuous.

Another great one is ‘you alright?’. In the UK that interprets to ‘How are you?’ Of course me being an Aussie I took that as if I looked sick or that I’d been crying and that she was checking to see that I was ok. So, my response the first time I heard this was ‘yes, why? Do I look sick? I just got out of bed’. No wonder I got a funny look. Or better yet in another context, someone in the shop said excuse me as I was in the way and I said ‘you’re right’ and they answered me with a ‘good thanks’. Now it was me giving the funny look without thinking!

Another difference I may add is how big Australia is compared to the UK! The Brits think it takes 1 hour to drive from Sydney to Melbourne! For those of you who aren't Australian, it actually takes roughly ten hours.

Just to make life harder (or interesting I’d say) certain words have different meanings. Singlets here are called vests; undies (Australia) are called pants in the UK. Whereas pants (Australia) are trousers and flip flops (UK) are definitely not known as thongs! Now being a live in carer of course I get these muddled up and still do today. New clients especially must think (UK terms) that I am going to put their underpants on over their trousers or a ‘thong (UK)’ on their foot! To be honest I wouldn’t put it past me.

Another thong, I mean thing that gets me all the time is chips (fries in the UK, fries or potato chips, AU) and crisps (potato chips, UK). Don’t go asking for ‘hot’ chips in the UK. They just look at you as if thinking ‘what am I going to do? Serve them frozen?!’ Ps there is no chicken salt either and they call aioli garlic mayonnaise.

Here are some facts about each nation.

Just to confuse you even more (or myself), in the UK lollies are known as sweets and lollypops are known as lollies. Lastly, just because it was funny, I got frustrated one day with something (no, not at work) and out of frustration I said ‘this is giving me the shits!’ Not knowing of course that the British take this metaphorically Australian saying literally. Of course people were around and I got some not so good looks. Again!!! This has a similar effect when Australians say to their friends ‘lets go bitch!’

Australia!

Lets talk about driving in the UK. Yes, it is similar to Australia as both nations drive on the left, however do not be fooled. The speedometer is in miles! Just remember that speeding signs that are 40 is not too slow. Also take note, the UK have national speed limit signs, without the speed limit written on it! So, for all you Aussies out there, this is NOT 100mph or 110mph! Don’t forget that like I did! Also another note, stay right, unless driving! Do not stand to your left on an elevator or when walking slowly, also you pass on your right. You should have seen the lovely dances I did when I forgot these rules.

Lets move on now to British houses. It baffles me how there is carpet in the kitchen and bathrooms. Or that there is a clothes washer in the kitchen. Oh and why not have one seperate hot and cold tap while you are at it so you either freeze or burn yourself. I must say this isn’t in the showers. Thank God! If anyone knows the reasons behind this, please enlighten me.

London

While there are many differences between the two places, there are more similarities and therefore the culture shock wasn’t as bad as my experience in Thailand. I mean I still call pounds, dollars at times (ok most times) and the weather here is definitely miserable compared to Australia, but I am having a ball and looking forward to the next couple of years being here and having the opportunity to explore Europe more. I hope you enjoyed my post. Don’t laugh too hard! Feel free to share with me your cultural differences you’ve experienced, not only between the UK and Australia, but any country.