Australia Culture and Traditions

Customs and traditions

According to Abbreviationfinder, Australia is today a multicultural country (more than a quarter of Australians are foreign born) but in many ways is still characterized by the English / Irish traditions that the first immigrants brought with them.

The English / Irish influence is felt in several ways, not least through the use of the English language (albeit today with many “Australianisms”), an English school system, food such as meat pies, pubs (here often called “hotels”) where you meet and take a beer, and not least the popular national sports cricket.

• Countryaah: Overview of the capital city of Australia, including information about its population, economy, geography, history and map.

Later, immigrants from the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe and, more recently, from Asia, not least from countries such as India and China, have brought new habits, mainly to the larger cities. In Sydney, for example, today you will find restaurants that serve food from all over the world and it has become increasingly common to learn languages ​​like Chinese.

How to greet and socialize

Australians are often described as open-minded and shock-free and joking. They greet with a “hello” or “g’day” and by shaking hands; in a business context one should take care, present oneself and say “pleased to meet you”. When you know someone a little better you can kiss on the cheek (two men, however, rarely do) but hugs are reserved for those you know well. On the other hand, you should see the person you are talking to in the eyes, but preferably stand at arm’s length.

Punctuality is a virtue in Australia: if you are delayed you should call and tell. In business context it is not wrong to dress in a suit / suit, but as it is often very warm it usually goes well with casual clothing, only it is neat and clean.

When you meet someone for the first time you can tell a little about yourself and why you are in Australia, ask about the other’s family and so on, but you should avoid sensitive topics (politics etc) before you know someone a little better. However, you can almost always discuss sports – most Australians are interested in everything from cricket, rugby and Australian football to tennis, swimming and other water sports; many exercise themselves (the climate invites that). There is also something of a “kid culture”, where the men meet their friends (“mates”), have a few beers and watch sports together – live or on TV.

What you eat

An Australian breakfast is similar to many other Western countries – coffee / tea, juice, bread, eggs and cereals. In their quarters you eat so-called English breakfast with eggs and bacon and more. Dinner is the main goal and often consists of steak with accessories. Australia is known for its fine ingredients, whether meat or beef or lamb or seafood, not to mention fruits and vegetables. Australian specialties are vegemite, a brown yeast extract that you bring on the sandwich, steamers, a traditional Australian bread without yeast, which is usually cooked over fire, as is the national dessert pavlova, the meringue cake named after the famous Russian ballerina (but also the neighboring New Zealand sees pavlova). its”). Australia has many good wines and beers to choose from.

National symbols and holidays

Australia’s British roots are evident in the flag, which is blue with a smaller British flag in the upper left corner. Underneath is a large white star representing the original federation, with a tip for each sub-republic; In addition, on the right are five more white stars in the form of the constellation Southern Cross.

The Southern Cross, together with the kangaroo and emun, belong to the national symbols of Australia. The koala is also known as something typical of Australia. The national anthem is called the Advance Australia Fair and can be heard here: (www.nationalanthems.info/au.htm). More famous is the song Waltzing Matilda, which is regarded as something of an unofficial national anthem. Since Australia is still formally part of the British monarchy, God Save the Queen is also sometimes played.

According to Countryaah, national holidays include New Year’s Day, National Day Australia Day (January 26), Easter, Anzac Day (April 25; Anzac stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and the day is celebrated to honor those who fought in the First World War), the Queen’s official birthday (9 June; not celebrated in Western Australia), Christmas holidays. In addition, there are a number of different holidays in the individual states.

2015

December

Two ministers are forced to step down

Prime Minister Turnbull experiences a setback when two of the government ministers are forced to step down. A minister admits that he acted inappropriately towards a female official while visiting a bar and resigns at his own request. The other minister is stepping aside temporarily while the police are investigating suspicions that he should have illegally tampered with another politician’s diary documents.

November

Refugee policy is criticized

Criticism is directed at Australia’s refugee policy in the United Nations Human Rights Council. Over a hundred countries question the tough policy. On the Swedish side, the system of handling asylum applications outside the country is criticized and that asylum seekers are placed in camps.

October

Appointment to “knight” / “lady” abolished

Prime Minister Turnbull states that the country will end by appointing people who distinguished themselves particularly “knight” and “lady” within the country’s order of law, Order of Australia. This highest award in the order system was reintroduced by Prime Minister Tony Abbott in 2014, but came quickly into the hot air as Abbott wanted to give Queen Elizabeth’s husband, Prince Philip, this award in January 2015.

Australia joined the TPP

Australia, together with another eleven countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including the United States, Canada and Japan (but not China), sign a Free Trade Agreement, the Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership (TPP). The agreement covers 40 percent of the world economy. However, before it can take effect, it must be approved by the parliaments of the countries.

September

Air attack against IS

Australia, which is part of the international coalition fighting the Islamic State (IS) extremist movement in Iraq and Syria, is for the first time launching air strikes against IS moorings inside Syria.

Turnbull becomes new prime minister

Tony Abbott loses a vote within the Liberal Party over who should be the party’s leader, and thus also lead the government. Malcolm Turnbull, former Minister of Communications in the government, received 54 votes against 44 for Abbott. Turnbull thus becomes new prime minister.

August

New climate targets

The government states that by 2030 it aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 26 and 28 percent compared with the 2005 levels.

March

Want to join AIIB

The Government announces that Australia wants to join the planned Asian Bank Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

February

Abbott wins the leadership battle in the party

Prime Minister Abbott wins a vote of confidence in the Liberal Party. 39 party members question his leadership while 61 members support him.

January

Labor wins in Queensland

Labor wins the state election in Queensland. It is seen as a humiliating loss to Abbott’s government coalition.

Fewer support Abbott

Surveys indicate a decline in support, now below 30 percent, for Prime Minister Tony Abbott among the people’s opinion in Australia.

Prince Philip becomes a knight

Prince Philip, who is married to Queen Elizabeth II, (Head of Australia and Britain) is given the title of “knight” by the country’s Order of Australia Order following a decision by Prime Minister Abbott. The Prime Minister faces extensive criticism following the decision. The media is filled with examples of how Philip has done away in various contexts in Australia and Abbott is called crazy.

Agreement with Cambodia

Australia reaches an agreement with Cambodia to house refugees in the Southeast Asian country in exchange for Australian aid.

Asylum-seeking hunger strikes

Hundreds of asylum seekers in an Australian camp on the island of Manus in Papua New Guinea hunger strikes in protest of Australia’s plan to either stay in Papua New Guinea or move to Cambodia if they are granted refugee status.

Paid parental leave too expensive

Prime Minister Abbott announces that the government will not proceed with the important issue of paid parental leave for Abbott. The plan was from the beginning that mothers would receive half a year’s paid leave. But the proposal was judged to be too expensive.

Abbott visits Baghdad

Abbott unexpectedly visits Baghdad where he meets his Iraqi counterpart Haidar al-Abadi. Abbott promises continued support in the fight against the Islamic State.