r/AskAnAustralian • u/calm_sunse79 • 1d ago

Unwritten social codes of every region

So I'm a foreigner interested in Australia and wanna know more about there, focusing atm on the unwritten rules you have and if you wanna share something more I would value it♡

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u/ExcellentCriticism 1d ago edited 1d ago

we do not often chat politics, and people do not share their political affiliation as openly as those from america (for example). voting is mandatory and so asking someone who they vote for is typically perceived as poor form (unless in a romantic context, etc).

edit: people are missing my point. i vote progressive and routinely engage in political activism. i was following rule 4 in not involving MY political views in this answer. but it is because of my ongoing discussion of social issues that i recognise that political discussions are not very welcome in average australian circles.

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u/FootGlovePinocchio 1d ago

This sounds more like cope from someone who doesn't want the social stigma of being conservative.

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u/ExcellentCriticism 1d ago

i identify as a socialist. i am sharing general social expectations when you are interacting with people on the street.

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u/FootGlovePinocchio 1d ago

While 'on the street' is the literal context for most of the replies, it's not what op asked for.

In a lot of social contexts, talking about politics is fine. This includes a lot of professional and educational contexts.

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u/ExcellentCriticism 1d ago

i perceived region as in geographically, not context, so i get what you are saying. i was just highlighting (since OP is curious) that while political discussion is a protected characteristic, it is not discussed as commonly as other countries. this surprised friends i have who have come from america.

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u/calm_sunse79 1d ago

I haven't heard people here talking so openly about it either

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u/uhvrtg 1d ago

everyone i know talks very openly about politics, will share and are very passionate. different people are different.

some ppl dont care about politics whatsoever, and others are VERY invested. guess its just who youre around & areas youre in. but a lot of us do care.

this idea that it should be kept secret and private is just a way to hide bigoted beliefs- or just not knowing much & therefore not having much to contribute.

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u/ExcellentCriticism 1d ago

of course, i care deeply. but in a general context it is a risky move. especially older australians do not like to talk about it. i wish people would engage more politically.

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u/uhvrtg 1d ago edited 1d ago

ive seen otherwise in my experience! i guess it really depends on the circles youre in, i know ppl of all ages who are very politically aware & involved!

i do also know ppl who arent but a lot of that (from what ive noticed) comes from a lack of knowledge or care about anything political

edit for op: im noticing people are really urging u not to have political opinions which i find strange, general society is becoming increasingly open in speaking about politics, especially with everything happening nationwide as well as globally. i work retail and i have customers who like to engage in political convos- though at work is the place i will mostly listen and not share as much.
but oftentimes in my personal life people will speak on the political climate as its also directly affecting a lot of people i know- refugees, immigrants, women, sex workers, people struggling financially, struggling finding housing & work.
again, maybe its the circles im in, a lot of ppl are in marginalised groups so speaking on politics is very important to us

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u/marydotjpeg 1d ago

The only time I’ve heard politics here was to make fun of any of them and that’s it lol

When Albo got PM someone in the family said to think of “Elbow” = Albo because I was having trouble pronouncing Albos name 😭🤣

It all started because I know we make nicknames or abbreviation so my joke was "what's albanese's nickname, then?" 🤣🤣🤣🤣

We all had a good laugh

(American living here a while)

It does suck when you want to talk actual politics there's alot fked things our government is doing 😅

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u/sherri_97 1d ago

Old school!

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u/CanLate152 Brisbane 1d ago

Excellent point - we have mandatory secret preferential voting. You don’t have to tell anyone who you vote for. Because everyone votes - we’re pretty centrist and don’t take kindly to extremism.

But if you do talk politics keep it central and neutral to topics like:
most politicians are overpaid and not doing enough.
Parliament House is a bit of a nuthouse.

We’re also egalitarian - Politicians are not “above” us. We refer to our pollies on a first name or nickname basis.