Australia: Public Behaviour
From ExecutivePlanet.com
Acceptable public conduct
Queuing in Australia is the norm, and you’ll see queues for the bus, train and taxi, and one must never break a queue. It is polite to surrender a seat to the elderly, women with babies or the handicapped, although special seats are provided on public transport. Men will not surrender a seat for a woman of the approximate same age.
People walk and drive on the left, and pass on the right, whether they are on escalators, walkways, roads or streets.
Men should refrain from being too physically demonstrative with women, and winking or whistling is unacceptable. People don’t usually touch each other other than to shake hands at the beginning and end of a meeting. Good friends often kiss once on the right cheek.
It is polite to wait for a third party to introduce you to others, but if it doesn’t happen for a few moments feel free to introduce yourself to others. At formal gatherings, wait to be seated, but if the host is not directing you, and other people are taking seats, follow them. It is quite okay to ask your host if you should sit at a particular spot.
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"G'day, mate" is a popular casual greeting, particularly between individuals who have already established a cordial acquaintance. Visitors are not expected to use this greeting, and if they do, it may be perceived as making fun.
"How are you?" is a common question that does not require an answer. It is just another way of saying "Hi".
When speaking to an Australian, keep an arm's length distance from the person. Maintaining personal space is important in this culture. In most situations, direct, moderate speech is most appropriate. Australians are not comfortable with silence and will feel they have to say something.
The "V" sign for "victory" is given by the palm facing outward. Making this sign with the palm facing inwards is a vulgar gesture.
Don't break eye contact with an Australian when he or she is talking to you.
No backslapping, shouting or calling attention to oneself is acceptable. Australia is casual and informal, but not loud. Keep your hands to your sides and avoid emphasizing the spoken word with gestures. Touching, patting or hugging other men in public are considered socially unacceptable.
Your best approach is to remain friendly, relaxed, modest, and unpretentious. Moreover, try to control any behaviour such as nervousness, officiousness, or self-importance.
Australians are very difficult to impress; even if you do manage to impress them, they may not openly admit it.
Although it is customary in this culture for men to sit in the front with the taxi driver, this is not the case for women. A woman traveling alone should sit in the back left passenger seat of the car; the driver will be on the right.
