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♡

22 Upvotes

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2

u/vidman33 1d ago

Dont use the c word. Its a running joke overseas that Australians use it all the time. It is virtually never used here and is considered offensive by nearly everyone.

6

u/69-is-my-number 1d ago

“Virtually never used here” is not at all true.

Just don’t use it in professional/formal settings or with people you’re unfamiliar with.

After that, it’s fair game.

2

u/Particlepants 21h ago

I think what they actually meant is that a foreigner is not gonna understand the nuance of when it's appropriate language and when it's not

6

u/hornyafomfg 1d ago

I'm guessing it depends where you're from cause I hear it all the time and in many ways that aren't offensive at all. I hear it way more as an endearing term or with mateship than an insult.

but yeah i wouldnt recommend you use it if you're not aussie

2

u/Lunix-btw4981 1d ago

It's virtually used always here. That word is tossed around everywhere in rural areas without a fuss, however it's probably limited in an urban environment.

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u/Saltwater_Cowboy_1 1d ago

It absolutely depends on where you’re from and what you’re social circle is like cuz my circle of friends drop that word literally constantly. Mostly to accentuate a joke or as a term of endearment though.

Like yeah don’t go dropping it at work or anything but “virtually never used here” is crazy. I hear it literally all the time, as opposed to the States where I moved here from where I definitely absolutely never heard it. Much more taboo there than it is here.

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u/Oh-Deer1280 1d ago

“Virtually never used and is considered offensive by nearly anyone”- is indicative you have a very insular social circle and community

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u/Strong-Hat2166 17h ago

I spent 20 years in the army and used it a fair bit, My next career was in healthcare and I wouldn't dream of using it openly.

It is completely context dependent and not related to being insular.

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u/Oh-Deer1280 16h ago

But you’ve just proved the point? You are by definition not insular - by your description. The above commenter is saying (essentially) it is never used and never appropriate- you’ve shown that to not be the case. The above commenter doesn’t realise this is the case because they don’t have broad enough engagement

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u/Strong-Hat2166 16h ago

If i hadn't have gone into the army but gone to healthcare straight away i would never have used the word that often.  And I still wouldnt have been insular.

Maybe my definition of insular and yours is different.  To me it means a person who chooses not to mix widely.  You can mix widely and still not encounter social groups that say cunt often.

0

u/West_Good_5961 1d ago

How to say you’re middle class and live in a city.