8.
Australia: “Saying ‘yeah, nah’ and ‘nah, yeah.’ This subtle language wizardry is second nature to Aussies: ‘Yeah, nah’ = no. ‘Nah, yeah’ = yes. It’s a code, and it will confuse non-locals. Also, shortening literally every word. Aussies are champions of abbreviation: ‘Servo’ = service station. ‘Macca’s’ = McDonald’s. ‘Arvo’ = afternoon. It can sound like a whole new language.”
And, “Celebrating Christmas in 40°C heat. A summer Christmas with BBQs, beach cricket, and prawns instead of snow and turkey? That’s a culture shock for anyone from the Northern Hemisphere. Lastly, magpies are a genuine threat. The swooping season is real. Cyclists wear zip ties on their helmets. People avoid certain streets. It’s like a low-key war with birds for a couple of months a year.”
