18 Totally Australian Things That Confuse Americans

Australia can feel familiar to Americans at first, until the little things start to pile up. The language, the snacks, the slang, and even the holidays can all seem just different enough to cause confusion.

That is exactly what makes this list so funny. These are the everyday Australian habits, foods, and phrases that leave Americans scratching their heads, from fairy bread to magpie season.

Some of the surprises are harmless, some are downright strange, and a few are so iconic that Aussies would not change them for anything. Read on.

1. Americans are often perplexed as to what language Australians actually speak.

From nail technicians to friends and acquaintances, everyone wants to know what language you're speaking. Interestingly, English isn't their first choice.

Lifetime

2. They're baffled by the idea of canned spaghetti and toast, which is one of Australia's finest inventions.

Spag on toast is an unrivaled culinary experience that everyone should enjoy at least once.

Twitter

3. They have a hard time grasping the fact that biscuits in Australia are sweet and served with a cup of tea.

Biscuits aren't savory scones, and they shouldn't be served during dinner, just so you know.

Not in Australia, at least.

William Kentler / Via commons.wikimedia.org, Willis Lam / Via commons.wikimedia.org

4. And fairy bread is one of Australia's most significant contributions to the world.

Nothing beats hundreds and thousands of sprinkles with a slather of crumbs strewn across a slice of fresh, butter-slathered white bread.

ICYMI, per Wikipedia:

"Some American manufacturers deem the elongated opaque sprinkles the official sprinkles. In British English, these are sugar strands or hundreds-and-thousands (the latter term alludes to their supposed accountability)."

Twitter

5. Americans adore sweet pastries, and it's nearly too much to bear when it comes to meat pies and sausage rolls.

Sausage rolls, with their buttery, flaky layers of pastry and variety of tasty fillings, are a popular choice for any lunch in Australia. They're also one of the most convenient and practical lunches to eat on the fly.

@Spacebevvie / Via Twitter: @Spacebevvie

That is where the culture shock really starts to show.

6. Australian lingo is one of the most difficult things for Americans to grasp.

"Righto mate, we're goin' for a Macca's brekky run, then off to Nandos for a feed, 'cause mum’s cooked sausage rolls for dinner and they're rank. Don't forget, we need to stop at the servo for some durries, but avoid the Tulla 'cause it's chokkers at 6 p.m. and nothin' winds me up like c*nts on the freeway." — Every Australian.UFC

7. They think phrases like "punching darts" and "having a durry" are phony.

It implies that you are going to smoke a cigarette.

NBC

8. Americans are baffled as to why we insist on celebrities drinking from their shoes.

While yelling at your favorite celebrities to "Do a shoey!" may come naturally to an Aussie, I've got to tell you, most Americans are grossed out by the idea of people drinking beer out of their shoes.

Network 10

9. They also have a hard time embracing the fact that most nicknames finish in "azza."

Dazza, Bazza, and Shazza, my personal favorite.

Twitter

10. Oh, and what about AC/DC? In Australia, they're referred to as Acca Dacca.

Twitter

Even the names can sound like a different language.

This is similar to the hidden corners of the world you’ve probably never heard of, where familiar rules don’t work.

11. Another thing that Americans find difficult to comprehend is how Christmas is celebrated in Australia throughout the summer.

We don't receive a "white Christmas," to be sure. On Christmas Day, though, having freezing cold beers, a BBQ, fresh seafood, and pavlovas is SO much better.Twitter

12. They seem to believe that Australia is a sunny paradise all year, despite the fact that this is plainly not the case.

It pours, hails, and even snows in some locations.

13. When Americans learn that Aussies eat kangaroo, one of the national animals, they are perplexed.

It's not only tasty, but it's also extremely lean, making it a nutritious alternative that's readily available.instagram.com

That one still catches people off guard.

14. And, despite the fact that Australia is theoretically in the future due to the time difference, we always receive the best things last.

Are you looking forward to seeing a new film? Do you have to watch the season finale of your favorite television show?

Best wishes. You're attempting to download a huge file. Set aside a few days for this.

Fox

15. They don't understand why Australians aren't as enthusiastic about Halloween as Americans. Magpie swooping season is defined by three words:

Swooping Season is featured in the latest installment of "Everything In Australia Is Trying To Kill You." Magpies grow ferociously during the breeding season every year as spring arrives.

Pedestrians and cyclists alike are at risk of being swooped, assaulted, and intimidated by these dreadful creatures. Who needs Halloween, after all?

16. Don't even bring up the metric system with Americans.

We're all familiar with the old metric versus imperial system. However, ordering 500g of sliced gouda from an American deli clerk is a one-way trip to the back of the line.

Twitter

17. They don't understand why Australians confuse lemonade with Sprite.

We opted to make the word more of an umbrella term because lemonade prepared from lemons is hard to find in Australia. Lemonade can be found in Sprite, Pub Squash, and Bundaberg.

Twitter

18. They don't comprehend why the country's favorite Sunday supper may be found at the local hardware shop.

Bunnings sausage sizzle is a blessing from God.

Instagram

Another interesting difference is the humor. Australians have a dry and weird sense of humor, and they frequently say the direct opposite of what they intend.

Americans, on the other hand, communicate in a very direct manner, and sarcasm can fall flat on its face. These distinctions should be kept in mind by all sides.

That pretty much sums up the trans-Pacific confusion.

Still confused by Aussie etiquette? See how an AITA dinner turned tense when someone refused even bill-splitting.