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According to Bree, she started the thread on Reddit because she was curious about how other people see Australia. She wanted to compare their experiences with those of her own.
"Life and Aussie culture seems so normal to me, and I wanted to get real insight from everyday people, from all over the world. And I certainly achieved that! I didn't expect the post to blow up like it did, that's for sure. I was quite chuffed, to be honest... and full of pride, amusement, and warmth for my little (big) land down under," she told Bored Panda how happy she was that the discussion got a lot of attention.
Bored Panda was curious to get Bree's take on the biggest culture shock moments that foreigners might experience when they first visit Australia. In her opinion, one of those moments is "realizing there are cities here, and busy ones at that."
"Chatting to tourists, I get the impression they were almost expecting to land on a dirt patch in the middle of nowhere and have a kangaroo courier them to an outback cattle station fighting off snakes and sharks and spiders with a boomerang," she quipped. "That view, or expectation, does warm our hearts, though."
Bree said that Australians love a lot of things: their country, taking the mickey out of others, the tourists, as well as the view the rest of the world has about them. "The snakes and sharks and spiders and isolated cattle stations are definitely here, we've all encountered them, but I do not know a single person who's had a bad experience with any of them. They tend to leave you alone if you do come across one."
She shared some more things that Aussies have in common: "We all have a mate called Gazza, (hi, Dad!) and we all know someone called Kylie (hi, bestie!) We all have broken a Hills Hoist [clothesline] as kids, and we all like our Vegemite. Everyone's our mate, even if it doesn't sound like it from the 'not safe for work' language we use."
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Bree explained to Bored Panda that Aussies are "super protective" of tourists, even if they might enjoy gently poking fun at them from time to time. "Whilst we may be scaring you with stories of drop bears, in the very same breath we have our eyes peeled and we won't let you lift up a piece of tin in the Outback, or walk around barefoot in a paddock, or wander through the mangroves."
The author of the viral thread pointed out that getting along with the locals is "practically a given," which should put a lot of us travelers at ease. "The second we hear an accent, we don our Aussie hats and take you directly under our wings. As long as you can take a joke, and are aware that we love our culture, and are full of pride for it, you're good as gold to us," she shared some advice with all tourists.
Bree also had some encouragement to share with anyone hoping to travel to and around Australia. "Traveling anywhere new is equally exciting and terrifying, and my advice for anyone wanting to visit Australia is simple: just do it! I feel so incredibly fortunate to live in such a diverse, accepting, laid-back corner of the world where it is safe and welcoming," she opened up to us.
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"I think my view of Australia could only get better if I experienced less fortunate places and was able to appreciate more what my sunburnt country has to offer. And, as an Adelaide resident, just don't drink the VB beer. That's for the Victorians and us South Aussies have a tongue-in-cheek love-hate bond with our neighboring State," the redditor suggested.
On a more serious note, she warned that any travel in the Australian Outback should be taken very seriously. Travelers have to be extremely well-prepared. They should never take these trips lightly. On a lighter note, Bree said that Australia is a huge country, and she urged everyone to visit the smaller towns "on the outskirts of the cities for a true Aussie vibe and experience."
Most of the country's towns are near the sea, and the redditor added that the beaches are "insanely accessible and beautiful."
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For anyone scared of the Aussie wildlife, Bree, who was "born and bred" in Australia and has lived there for 40 years, has some good news. "I have never once been bitten by a snake or spider, chased by a shark, stung by a jellyfish, or boxed by a kangaroo. I have, however, had a safe, fun, privileged, and fulfilling life, and believe you'll absolutely love it here. You'll automatically be in the 'mate' category and we've got your back."
Another upside of Australian life, according to her, is the lack of notable violence in the country. "We just don't see it here very often and it gives you such a sense of security and protection. It really is unique."
The land Down Under is incredibly biodiverse. According to the Australian Government, the continent and surrounding seas support a whopping 600k to 700k native species. Most of them are not seen anywhere else on our planet!
A jaw-dropping 85% of Australian plant species won’t be found anywhere else on Earth. Moreover, the Australian continent is home to half of the world’s marsupial species.
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Australia boasts around 2k species of spider. Most of them are (relatively) harmless to people. Something that has been a huge help is the widespread existence of antivenom.
The Victoria State Government has some handy advice on avoiding spider bites. For one, you should always aim to wear gloves, long pants, and shoes while gardening. You ought to avoid walking barefoot around your garden. And be sure to shake out your shoes before you put them on. You should also not leave your clothes lying around on the floor.
If you happen to stumble across a potential spider lair, do not go rummaging around it with your hands! Use a stick. Or better yet, leave it alone and contact someone who works in pest removal services.
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2. The sheer expanse of the red rocky deserts.
3. How much casual racism still exists towards the aborigines and how much the country is struggling to navigate its past.
4. How endless and gobsmackingly beautiful it's stretches of coastline are.
5. How insanely big saltwater crocodiles can grow to, they are like monsters from another time.
6. How clean and well-designed the cities are, including the water quality at major ports.
7. Australians are very anti-littering and I would say are much more environmentally aware than most people I've come across.
8. The low rates of smoking and gun violence.
9. The environmental hypocrisies in the country, such as its love affair with coal, mining and trawlers.
10. How a country with so many resources, good city planning and so much space still has a rental crisis developing.
11. Australians fascination with snow and how many will decorate shop window displays with fake snow Etc in the run-up to Christmas despite the sweltering temperatures.
12. How insanely deadly or poisonous/venomous some really tiny and innocuous looking Australian animals are.
13. The stereotype that they love their beer and barbecues is very true.
14. Kangaroos really do box each other.
15. How massive and grass-less fields on sheep farms are.
2. I didn't know that Aborigine was racist whereas Aboriginal is not (my apologies).
3. A lot of people here themselves seem to be confused as to what the native peoples should be called.
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You should clear away the trees, shrubs, and bushes from around your doors and windows. However, it’s not advisable to use insecticides in your garden: the local spider population, spooked, might flee right into your home. (A very frightening proposition, indeed..!)
Meanwhile, add screens to your windows and vents, and make sure that there’s no space underneath your doors for spiders to squeeze through.
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