Nine More Differences Between Australia and America
by In the global race for supremacy, two nations went head-to-head in a battle for glory, and only one will emerge victorious.
After I wrote my first article on this same subject, it became apparent that some people thought I was hosting a competition between the two nations. That list was so controversial and inspired such heated debate that I couldn’t resist reopening the can of worms by compiling another list of cultural distinctions, this time throwing in some juicy hot-headed opinion to really stir things up.
The battle continues…
Using Cutlery
A first-time Australian visitor to the USA might be completely horrified to look around a restaurant and see everyone devouring their food like barbarians. Americans have a very unique approach to using knives and forks.
While the rest of the English-speaking world holds their fork in their left hand and their knife in their right hand throughout the entire meal, Americans play musical cutlery, performing an intricate dance with their knives and forks while they eat.
First they stab their knives into their meal and viciously attack their prey, then they slice off a bite-sized piece (or cut the entire meal up into tiny pieces) and then they put their knife down and swap their fork over to their right hand to scoop up their meal.
Australians, however, simply slice their meal with their knife and push the bite-sized piece onto their fork, without needing to change hands. It really is much more efficient.
Americans born and raised in New England are the exception to this rule, as was George Costanza on Seinfeld when he ate a Mars Bar with a knife and fork.
If you’re keeping score, it’s Australia 1 – USA 0
Retail Hours
US visitors to Australia beware: Australian shopping hours are very limited. It comes down to simple economics. Australia simply doesn’t have the population to support more convenient opening hours.
Sure, we’d all love the bank and the post office to remain open after 4 o’clock so we don’t have to cram everything into lunch breaks, but that’s just the way it is in Australia.
Thursday night is Late Night Shopping. It’s the one night of the week that most stores stay open until about 9pm, which is still quite early for a shop in the US to close.
Without any argument, the USA wins this hand.
R-rated Movies
Here’s a random list of movies (some of the top Box Office movies of all times) that were rated R in the USA:
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Post CommentDenise Kawaii
On January 5, 2009 at 3:29 pm
An interesting read indeed! Although, I think I’m going to stay here in the U.S. as a resident, I’ll have to come out to Australia for a visit and make a more educated decision then. (several of my friends have been out your way and LOVED it!)
Good write, good read.
British
On January 11, 2009 at 3:33 am
You’re completely wrong about American sitcoms – they’re all dreadful. There may be one or two exceptions but considering the numbers, I’d estimate less than 0.5% of American sitcoms have any com in them at all.
Padfoot
On March 22, 2009 at 6:41 pm
As an Australian, I totally agree with British. Most American sitcoms are shocking. American humour is very different to ours. Australian sitcoms are also rearly even funny, actually I become quite embarressed and uncomfortable whatching them. The best sitcoms ever made (and still being made) are by the British…. and no I am not of British decent
-Just love a good laugh.
Padfoot
On March 22, 2009 at 6:43 pm
LOL thought I should just clarify the word “shocking” as in Australia this also means terrible or really really bad!
Aussie chick
On May 14, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Lol Padfoot only when I read your second post did I realise that you didn’t mean ‘Shocking’ as bad.
ehhh
On July 31, 2009 at 6:26 pm
I’m an Australia living in America, and I’ve noticed that the way that Australia does things makes a lot more sense than the way things are in America. Education, healthcare, lifestyle, laws etc.
The main thing that I’ve noticed is that so many Americans (particularly girls) are so much more immature than Australians, it’s insane! I attribute it to the culture, and the legal drinking age. At 18 in Australia, you can just go out and party and after a few years you’re over it and then you start to grow up and straighten out. Here, you wait until you’re 21 and you’re still acting like a jackass at 30.
I saw two 11 year-olds at Huntington Beach in California last week and they looked like barbie dolls, it made me sick. It’s all wrong, they’re pretending to be older, but acting more immature than their age.
I love both countries, but some of the stuff that goes down in America is outrageous, it blows my mind.
aussie
On August 13, 2009 at 5:05 am
LOL CAKE NICE
Dee in the U.S.
On October 14, 2009 at 12:33 pm
This was a great article. You’ll have to agree, though, that there are many, many more similarities between the two countries than differences. I live in the U.S., but can’t wait to visit Australia. I wish all Australian people could have access to the listed differences of the US (internet, television, shopping hours, etc.)
One thing is certain, both societies are constantly evolving.
Into what, I have no idea !
Lisa
On November 23, 2009 at 10:27 pm
I am an American and Living in Australia. I miss many things about America, like real Italian Sausage, half and half for my coffee, American cheese, and strict laws on drinking. I am shocked that the “18 year olds who can party” actually glass one another. I can’t recall an instance of that in the USA. I don’t believe an 18 year old is mature enough to drink. The USA also had the drinking age at 18 and it was brought up to 19 and then to 21 to minimize the numerous fatal and non fatal teen drinking car accidents, bar fights and hospitalizations. It worked. Politicians in America can afford those expensive campaigns and they aren’t tax payer funded, so let them spend it. (you can though donate).
However;
Australia offers a life style that America can NOT. I would rather pay for my metered internet usage and have a life style.
I love to grocery shop KNOWING I am buying FRESH food. Very little has been tainted like the American foods with artificial additives. There are no added hormones and added water in the meats, or preservatives in our breads and other foods.
Australians are far friendlier than most Americans, with far greater manners.
As for the Military commentary; America’s population is much larger than Australia and it is a big deal to most Patriotic Americans, as you pointed out in your earlier blog about American flag, to defend and honor their country. Many also join the military for the college benefits, as some can’t afford college any other way. By the way, my Australian husband is retired from the Australian Army.
I absolutely love Australia and even though I do miss the above mentioned thins, it is what they are “things”. I have a beautiful life here with beautiful people who should never be spoiled (ruined) by many American ways.
Savanna
On January 31, 2010 at 10:26 am
Love this article
To Lisa
Oviously you don’t pay attention to the news because i am sure that there have been cases in the US where some stupid drunk teenagers have glassed or injured someone it is not just limited to Australia. But also we don’t have the same risk of being shot in Australia that you do in America so think on that for a bit.
pamela
On March 10, 2010 at 8:56 am
i need to add a point to australia – we have medicare.. whoop whoop no need for private health funds
Tom
On October 7, 2010 at 8:36 pm
A very humorous and interesting article! Although I must disagree when it comes to the military. I think having a citizenry who is active in the military is a good thing. Not for war, but defense. And on the spending point, social program spending trumps military spending.
I do eat like a barbarian though, haha. Why on earth would I want to eat with my non-dominant hand? If the food is easy enough to cut, I will just cut it with the fork and eat it like that.
Em
On October 9, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Awesome. As a strong australia supporter living in america, I completely argree that australia deserves the title.
yomommashouse
On October 17, 2010 at 10:38 pm
This article is stupid and so are the rest of you people trying to compared two different countries to see which is best you should be ashamed of yourselves. There are wars in this world because poeple refuse to get over differences. Oh an article written by an australian and the suspense was killing me I honestly thought the aussie might let america win…PPFT! yeah right! I don\’t care what anybody says, thinks or writes about america I will always be proud to be an american. I love that the rest of the world don\’t like us ask any american and they\’ll tell you they don\’t care either!! GOD BLESS THE USA
Nautilus
On November 18, 2010 at 8:29 pm
I have to agree that British sitcoms are much better than American ones and I’ve never seen an Australian sitcom before. I guess I’ll have to look one up. :p
Most of the shows coming out now in America are mostly reality television shows about whatever topic the producers just pulled out of a hat. :\
irresponsibledad
On January 16, 2011 at 9:48 am
@Jimbob – pretty sure he’s a troll, don’t let it bother you. Also, I’d give Australia the win just for the term ’seppo’ – greatest stealth insult ever.
Btw, I don’t think I could name a single Aussie sitcom. Australian comedy in general isn’t much good, though our stand-ups aren’t bad.
TV lover
On January 22, 2011 at 8:44 pm
I think both countries are equal, there are differences yes, but we share a lot which is nice! I’m an American, I love my country, though I would like to live in Australia or Canada if I were older and could afford it!
Mallory
On January 27, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Very funny (and informative) article! I’ve never been outside the US, but I love hearing how our country measures up against others. Thanks!
Mike
On February 18, 2011 at 4:16 am
Don’t forget that Americans are hugely stupid. Their education is just HORRIBLE.
elnavann
On February 20, 2011 at 4:33 am
Always amusing to criticise the Americans – must say, when I visited the US I realised that their states and cities are so varied that you might as well be in different countries. I found the people very warm and helpful, much different than the touristy stereotypes you come across outside of US
Enjoyed the article
sitcoms? no1 cares
On June 25, 2011 at 3:24 am
All these people talking about how bad aussie sitcoms are why don\’t you ask yourself \”why\”? They are so bad because Australia doesn\’t produce many sitcoms. I doubt you could name 5.
On the other hand we produce decent comedy shows such as angry boys. summer heights high, spicks and specs, we can be heroes, the footy show (both nrl and afl are funny)… There is so many.
Sitcoms are an american/british thing imo. Australia never got on the bad wagon and I\’m thankful for that.
Britain wins that one hands down tho.. seinfeild and all those can never match monty python.