Australia

1. Australia By: Adam Bernardo

2. Information About Australia • Population- 20,434,176 • Location- Just south of Japan • Government- The government in Australia is both a Federal parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy.

3. As the above picture of the Australian Flag indicates the overall background is BlueAccording to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Australian flag represent the following:Blue - vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justiceWhite - peace and honesty Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour$1 in American dollars converts to 1.02174 AUD (Australian Dollar)

4. Things to know before traveling • Safety- You should be aware that robberies, burglaries, and auto theft are common in Australia’s larger cities. Weapons are increasingly used in such crimes, which also may be associated with drug trafficking and usage. Foreign visitors are targets for pickpockets, purse-snatchers, and petty thieves. Please be careful when drinking with unfamiliar people or travelers, as drink spiking sometimes occurs. Appropriate, common sense precautions should be taken, especially at night, to avoid becoming a target of opportunity. • Driving-Traffic operates on the left side of the road, and all vehicles use right-hand drive. Speed limits and laws regarding driving while intoxicated are rigorously enforced with random breath testing of drivers blood alcohol limit being a common occurrence. Roads and streets are frequently narrower and less graded than U.S. highways. Speed limits vary throughout Australia and are measured in kilometers, not miles.

5. A few words… Australians speak English just like Americans, only with different slang terms and an accent.

6. Making Appointments • Relatively easy to schedule at practically all organizational levels. • Try and schedule meetings at least one month in advance. • If you are an employer you will have to give convincing evidence that their tardiness is harming the organization. • In some cases, if you are a few minutes late to a meeting, it will be overlooked. • In Australia, many business deals are made in a social environment

7. Business Dress Standard business dress code for men is a black or navy suit with a white shirt and tie, and for women skirt or trouser suit with white blouse. During the summer, the jacket can be removed. Women are best not to wear too much jewelry and makeup, as it can be seen as extravagant and ‘showing off’. Outside the work situation, clothing is an individual choice and many people dress for comfort, for the social situation or the weather. Some clubs may require patrons to be in neat, clean clothes and appropriate footwear, and would not allow entrance to someone wearing jeans, sneakers or thongs.

8. Topics of Conversation Australians are very down-to-earth and matter-of-fact when it comes to talking business. They generally prefer direct eye contact and consider it as a sign of respect and indication that the person is listening. Australians are relatively open to dealing with strangers without prevous connections and don’t need long introductions. When meeting for business, they focus on a task and like to talk business from the beginning. Business negotiations are shorter and to the point. It is common to do business communication and problem solving over the phone, fax or email.

9. Addressing Others Although fairly informal, Australians prefer to shake hands when meeting someone for the first time. The hand shake is moderately firm. Some men do not shake hands with women, even in business settings; however, it is acceptable for a woman to initiate the handshake.

10. Acceptable Behavior 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.

11. Gift Giving Generally, gift-giving is not part of Australian business culture, and it is best not to send a gift to your business counterpart at any time, including holidays, unless you receive one first. Holiday cards are very apprropriate, particularly as a ‘thank-you’ for the business done during the previous year, and should be posted in time to arrive the week before Christmas.

12. Negotiating • It is appropriate to present a business card at an introduction. • Australians like to talk business from the start, with very little small talk. • Speak plainly and expect what you say to be taken literally. • Australians generally dislike negotiation and aggressive sales techniques. • Modesty, casualness, and an air of nonchalance are characteristic attitudes in Australian business culture.

13. Entertaining If you are invited out for a drink, don't bring up the subject of business unless your host does so. When hosting a dinner at a restaurant, you might have to bring your own supply of alcohol, since some establishments may not have liquor licenses. These restaurants will have 'BYO' status which means 'Bring Your Own' (wine only). When in doubt, make inquiries ahead of time. Moreover, your Australian guests will likely be displeased if alcohol is not served with meals. Wine is the usual preferred drink at meals, although beer may be drunk beforehand.

14. Dining Seafood is an integral part of the cuisine scene in all its shelled and scaled forms. Production of organic foods is increasing and available in the cities and larger towns. 'Bush tucker' is food from Australia's endemic flora and fauna and can be lean and quite delicious; kangaroo meat in particular is growing in popularity since being made legal to trade to eat only in the past two decades.

15. Conclusion Compared to the US, Australia is very similar. Their currency is different, but their customs are pretty much the same. They have a different accent and have different phrases, but their customs including manners, ways to address people, and entertaining are almost identical.