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News.com.au
12 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Shock': Traveller reveals everything wrong with Australia
If you're like me and you've returned from Ho Chi Minh City after weeks of seeing 'Open 24 hours' signs plastered on every establishment and you're now wondering why you can't get a late-night feed that's not a McDonald's burger – you're not alone. After spending a year soaking up the fast-paced, late-night energy of some of Asia's busiest cities, Sydney woman Fiona Wang thought she'd feel comforted coming home. Instead, she found herself wandering empty footpaths after 5.30pm and not being able to get in to see the doctor on a weekend. 'How do Australians do this?' she said in a social media clip. The 29-year-old business owner and self-proclaimed 'travel-addict' recently returned to Australia after living in Bali, and says the adjustment back to Aussie life has been a culture shock in ways she didn't expect. 'If you're working 9-5, everything is closed by 5.30pm and doctors aren't open on Sundays. 'In Asia you can still contact the banks after 5pm, you can go to the mall 'till 10pm – you can do anything you need to,' she said. Like Fiona, I too had grown used to the 24-hour pharmacies, late-night bar spots and restaurants buzzing well into the early hours. But even mundane errands have now become a mission. 'Back here, I can't even send things by post unless I go during lunchtime,' she added. Amen, Fiona. Though she still loves to call Australia home, the 29-year-old admits she 'needs half-half.' A quick Google search returns results of like-minded night-owls all in pursuit of the answer to this very same question. 'Why does everything in Australia close so early?' In a very brutal Reddit take, one user questioned: 'Does no one like making money in Australia? Or do they just close early to go home and complain about the cost of living? Trying to get food after 9pm is impossible, and don't even get me started on AusPost opening hours.' 'Cafes closing at 1pm needs to be studied,' replied one user. Tim Bennett, insurance expert at Finder told 'We need to be more than a nation of coffee shops at 2pm to deserve the label of a top cultural destination.' 'There's a clear tension between the desire for a vibrant, attractive night-life that draws tourists and boosts local economies, and concerns about public safety and noise,' he said. 'Australian cities absolutely can have both safe and peaceful, while vibrant and world famous entertainment districts, but it requires genuine financial support for venues to make accommodations, protections from noise complaints, and good city planning to get people home safely. 'It also requires an acceptance from residents, especially in existing entertainment districts, that this is part and parcel of living in the inner cities.' Whether Australia is a nation with a rumbling night-life underbelly that's waiting to emerge or one that's permanently transfixed by early morning run clubs and matcha is yet to be seen – but until then, Ho Chi Minh is always ready for a good time.
News.com.au
26-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Feels so positive': Expat reveals the biggest culture shocks after working in Australia for a year
After working in Australia for over a year, an expat from Singapore has shared the biggest culture shocks she's experienced. Luna, 29, works in media in Melbourne and has been surprised by Australia's chill workplace culture. Firstly, unlike in Singapore where a typical working day ends at 6pm, Aussies knock off at 5pm. 'The one that stood out the most is how everyone leaves on time. In Singapore, especially in small and mid-sized companies, I hardly see anyone packing as the clock strikes 6pm,' she said. The young worker said, in Singapore, leaving work before your boss does back isn't exactly the done thing if you want to get ahead. 'There's a certain unspoken stress that comes with leaving the office before your boss leaves,' she told 'There was once, at my first job, when I left on time my then-manager remarked, 'Wow, you're leaving early today'.' The 29-year-old stressed that she didn't go in completely blind and had done some research before coming to work in Australia, but it was still a shock. 'I love the emphasis on work-life balance. Nobody disturbs me when I'm on vacation, and even if someone emails me after working hours, they do not expect a reply until the next day,' she said. The young worker said the cultural norm in Australia is that you should take leave and 'enjoy it' and not be contacted while you're away. She was stunned to discover that there also a law around this, In August 2024, Australia introduced the Right to Disconnect law, which ensures employees can refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact from their employer or others outside of their working hours, unless refusal is unreasonable. Luna claimed it is proof that Aussies really 'respect the boundary between work and personal life', which she appreciates. The worker has also been amazed to discover the concept of long service leave, where if you've been at a company for over a certain amount of time, you get extended paid leave. It varies depending on where in the country you are working. For instance, in the ACT, you receive it is just over six weeks of long service leave after seven years, but in NSW, you're entitled to two months after a decade. Luna has also been astounded by how casual Aussies are at work and said the 'chill vibes' have been a nice surprise. She has found it wild that people will say the F-word in the office and co-workers talk to each other like their friends. The 29-year-old also said she was taken aback by how relaxed the Aussie office culture is, even if someone makes a mistake. 'Everyone is very chill about things going wrong. If you're running late, text your boss. Need to work from home? That is all good. Made a mistake? No worries we will fix it together,' she said. 'Work culture feels so positive and less toxic in Australia.' Luna has also observed that, in Australia, it is normal to bring food in for lunch and eat alone, whereas back in Singapore you always buy lunch out and grab food as a team. 'I kind of like this better as it encourages team bonding, but of course, it is annoying when there's someone I dislike in the team,' she said. Another downside about working in Australia is that she's been stunned to learn that she has to pay 30 per cent tax in Australia, while back home, she only paid three per cent in tax. There's also the fact that she's found it hard to connect with her co-workers, but she's getting better at it. 'The part I'm finding challenging is finding common topics with people to chat about. Coming from a different culture and country, I consume different media, watch different shows etc,' she said. 'Plus, Aussies are chattier than Singaporeans, so I struggle with trying to hold conversations. I've been trying to bridge that gap by listening to Aussie podcasts, watching Aussie reality TV shows, and following Aussie news. 'I also noticed that people in Melbourne always complain about the weather so I do that now as a small talk topic.' Luna's work observations have divided people online, with some claiming Australia has an amazing work culture and others not being so convinced. 'There are still many problems with Aussie workplaces including subtle racism and micro-aggressions,' one said. 'Australia sucks! Saying that as an Aussie,' another noted. 'I'd pay the tax just for the work life balance,' someone else said. 'Been in Australia for over a decade and I could never go back to the work culture in Singapore. Toxic places do exist in Australia and it's a different kind of toxicity, but everyone does respect others time outside of work,' one said. 'I got scolded once for calling an Australian colleague at 4.30pm. They really take their 9-5 seriously,' another shared. 'Okay, I don't know where you are working, but this has not been my experience in Australia working in law. It must vary widely between industries,' someone else said. 'This made me feel kind of blessed to be an Aussie. I didn't realise our work culture was so good,' one chimed in.
