Australians

They definitely are more welcoming than most of us were, when a wave of foreign labour invaded our countries. Out here they see us as cheap labour from abroad, they like us because we do the work they aren't keen on doing. Some dislike us because of the lifestyles we lead and noise we make. Eitherway, there are an estimated 1.5 - 2 million backpackers in Australia at any given time all adding their piece to the puzzle and doing jobs that most Aussies would shy away from.

What Australians dislike:

- People who are too self important. People that see themselves as being above the rest are quickly put in place in Australia. It's the number one trait that people hate here. No one is afraid to tell you about it either.

- People that don't pay their way, Bludgers as the Aussies call them. These are people who won't 'shout' for a round after everyone else, people that are asking for cigarettes and food without ever giving anything back.

- People who rush when they work. They can't for the life of them figure out why some of us are always in such a rush. It's common for people coming over from Europe to be like this, it's what we're used to. Who is better off, us or the Aussies? They win every time. Best to go with the flow down here.

- People that whinge. They hate people who whinge almost as much as people who are too self important. No one down here wants to hear about your issues. Keep them to yourself and deal with them in your own time.

-People that don't have a sense of humour. The Aussies have great senses of humor and love to laugh. Especially at each other. When someone slips in a witty comment that takes a poke at you what they are really doing is giving you a chance to poke one back at them. If you are able to match their poke with another clever poke you've just found yourself a friend. If however you felt insulted by, insecure with their poke or if you reply with something obnoxious they won't waste much time trying to like you. How well you are able to comeback from pokes determines how much Aussies will like you. It's as simple as that. The key is to not take yourself too seriously and laugh everything off. You'll get heaps of practice with that down here.

-People who don't speak in English. It's Australia and everything here is done in English. Unlike other countries people won't make an exception for you and they certainly don't want to hear you chatting to your country people in a foreign language whilst in the presence of Australians. This is the epitome of rudeness. If you don't speak English and make an effort to be understood you're still alright.

Australians value your character more so than most other countries. Being the egalitarian abundant country that it is, with its awesome weather and envious lifestyle all people relatively well off. They value how friendly you are, how you well you get along with others, if you're able to make people laugh and take a joke above most material things or accomplishments. Be friendly and affable through your actions at all times to get the most out of this country and anything in life.

Australians admire people that make a good impression through their hard work and easy going attitude. Be humble, see the lighter side of life, work hard and the Aussies will like you.

Australians have lots of tattoos and like to swear a lot. This is just the way that a lot of them are. It's delightful to hear a true Aussie string a few lines of witty swearing together. Most Australians will have several tattoos as they are extremely fashionable (and expensive).

They love beer, and anyone who is good enough company to drink several beers with. The standard unit of payment is a carton of beer when someone helps you out.

Aussies love their 'pokies' and any form of gambling or betting. It's rampant here, the unofficial national pastime.

Aussies love to brag about their state vs. other states. Queenslanders will swear to you that Victorians live on another planet and vice-versa. The truth is, as it always is to an outsider, that there's very little difference between the two. Most of Australia is very homogeneous in fact.

All Aussies have a favourite team and usually play a sport or two of their own. People are extremely passionate about their sports down here in a friendly way. They don't get how Europeans can spontaneously become hooligans when our teams are playing.

Australians are very athletic people that put a high emphasis on their body and looks. The men much more so than the women. The streets are swarming with men that come out of the gym looking like they just bench-pressed an elephant. They all have the same haircut, sunglasses, tight shirt/singlet, fake tan etc... Women also take care of their appearance here but not to the extent that men do. Australian women are very forward and are likely to come up to you and start a conversation. It's just the way it goes here for some reason.