· TV shows start at weird times (e.g., 7:40pm) and almost always run late. We use something like Tevo (but not as good) and basically miss the end of every show we record, unless we set it record 15 min over.
· Public toilettes: There have been several times when dining at a restaurant and you have to leave the restaurant to use the bathroom. In several situations the public restroom is in a neutral location shared by several establishments.
Interesting differences in food and names of food:
Ø Lollies – candy
Ø Biscuits – cookies
Ø Chips – French fries
Ø Lemonade – Sprite or 7-Up soda
Ø Fairy floss (cotton candy)
Ø Pouring to an etched line on wine glasses (alcohol is very regulated)
Ø Pineapple and beets are common on all types of sandwiches.
Ø Mackers (Mcdonalds); Hungry Jacks (Burger King)
Ø Dukha (Indiand nut blend. You dip bread in oil, then in the nut mixture)
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| Aussie Burger |
Ø Burgers: beets are often found on burgers, often accompanying a fried egg. Speaking of burgers, instead of an American style grilled burger, here they are often baked, which makes the consistency more like meatloaf. It’s cooked all the way through, which I appreciate, but those who like it rare or pink in the middle may be disappointed (Erin, B, Mom, Dad, ok let’s face it most people besides me who don’t like their beef well done). You can also find Wagyu on most menus too. I’d never heard of it, but according to my Aussie sources its high quality beef from a very pampered cow that’s bred in Western Australia. It’s very marbled (fatty), so when it’s cooked it becomes really tender and tasty. It’s often served as a burger or sliders, as well as a full on steak (expensive when served that way). I’ve only had it as a slider and it was good, but I want to try it as a steak one time…hopefully at a company dinner when it’s not on my dime.
Ø You don’t see turkey very often (and it’s about $15/lbs at the deli). What you do see is tuna, tons of ham, and chopped chicken. When you do see turkey on a sandwich, it inevitably comes with cranberry chutney/sauce.
Ø Instead of Salsa, you usually find chili sauce (which is the consistency of a sweet and sour sauce with some mild chili flakes).
Ø Ketchup (tomato sauce here) doesn’t come automatically with fries or burgers, but most places will give it to you if you ask. It tastes different though. Perhaps there is less corn syrup in it?
Ø Mayo is everywhere. It’s the staple dipping sauce. Ranch dressing is hard to come by at a restaurant.
Ø Pies (veggie, beef, chicken) and sausage rolls are very common and found everywhere for breakfast, lunch, morning tea, afternoon tea, etc. Even Starbucks carries pies and sausage rolls. The Aussies enjoy morning and afternoon tea, which is fun to partake in. From the tea times I’ve participated in, there are options for tea and coffee, accompanies by scones, pies, and biscuits (remember, these are cookies). One time they had fruit instead of sugar options. I feel very refined having a recognized tea time =)
Ø The coffee is really good, but so strong! I can only handle a single shot, and I enjoy strong coffee. The names for coffee are slightly different too. For example, an Americano is called a Long Black; a Latte is a Latte, but they also have a Flat White, a short black. An Iced Coffee means that you will get a Latte with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in it. That was a surprise the first time, but so yummy! They take their coffee seriously and make it with care. It can take several minutes and always has the wonderful crème that quality coffee should have. However, when you’re running short on time before work, it can feel like you are waiting an exorbitant amount of time. But hey, maybe I should manage my time better. =) The only time I have ever seem regular, drip coffee is at a catered work meeting. You can’t even find drip coffee machines in the department stores –just espresso machines. It’s really interesting. I like my Long Blacks, so I’m ok with it. Like most things in Australia, the sizes and portions are much more reasonable, compared to the super sized version of things in the States. I always order their small or regular, which is the size of a short back home. I don’t think you can even order a short coffee many places anymore in the States.
Ø Most places offer white sugar, brown sugar, and equal. Only a small handful of places have splenda as a sugar substitute option. Along with that, it’s harder to find low calorie, low sugar food and snack alternatives. We buy light sour cream and I’ve seen low fat ice cream at an ice cream shop once, but most things seem to be full on. Not the best for keeping your figure!
Awesome and scary animals:
Ø Flying foxes (or flying puppies, as we like to call them) are these adorable, furry, fruit eating bats. They are huge – about a foot in length. They fly around at night. If they weren’t so adorable, I probably wouldn’t enjoy the fact that I see bats on a nightly basis, but I love it.
Ø Flying foxes (or flying puppies, as we like to call them) are these adorable, furry, fruit eating bats. They are huge – about a foot in length. They fly around at night. If they weren’t so adorable, I probably wouldn’t enjoy the fact that I see bats on a nightly basis, but I love it.
Ø Ibis run around the city like pigeons, but they are huge!
Ø Magpies are another story. Luckily for me, I have only seem them and haven’t made it onto their sh@! List. Magpies are very territorial during their mating season (Sept, I believe) and they remember people and hold grudges. It’s wild. They will just swoop down and clip you with their beak if you piss them off. To stave them off, bikers where these helmets with crazy spokes coming out of them (a medusa look with zip ties). I’m told they like (and by like, I mean strike at) bikers, children, and people who frequently pass into their territory. Fingers crossed, I can avoid this!
Ø Magpies are another story. Luckily for me, I have only seem them and haven’t made it onto their sh@! List. Magpies are very territorial during their mating season (Sept, I believe) and they remember people and hold grudges. It’s wild. They will just swoop down and clip you with their beak if you piss them off. To stave them off, bikers where these helmets with crazy spokes coming out of them (a medusa look with zip ties). I’m told they like (and by like, I mean strike at) bikers, children, and people who frequently pass into their territory. Fingers crossed, I can avoid this!
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| Magpie after a biker |
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| Magpie prevention helmet |
Ø Fairly penguins live on the beaches, such as in Melbourne.
Ø Camels live in the outback, but apparently are over populated. I heard a story from an Aussie that was at the same time shocking and hilarious. I have not looked it up to confirm the details yet, but I still like it. Apparently, camels were brought over to Oz to help with something in the Outback. They then populated like mad and became a menace. I hear they spit right at you! I’m told that to control this, the Aussies decided it would be a good idea to arrange for armed planes/jets to fly above the outback and gun down the camels from the sky. Pow, pow, pow! This didn’t go over too well with the animal rights folks in the US and they were asked not to pursue this method of population control. Instead, they shipped them off in droves to their country of origin. There are still many camels roaming the outback though. I love that story. As I say though, I am not sure if it’s true.
Ø Bunnies, kane toads, and possums are seen as the pests they wish they could exterminate. Kane toads are very poisonous and dogs and birds die after mistakenly eating one. Population control for these guys tends to be a slow “painless” death by freezer, acid, or, yes, a gold club. Spiders here are scary and huge, but the little ones (red backs) are the ones that will kill you.
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| No 2 Rabbit Fense in Western Australia |
There is such a dislike for bunnies, that the Aussie’s have changed the US Easter Bunny to the Easter Bilby.
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| Easter Bilby |
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