Living in Australia as an American // First Impressions, Australian Culture Shocks

[@sleepyjoe3970]

US Adults: *Plovers are a dangerous situation* Aussie kids: *entertain ourselves at lunchtime by getting swooped and commando diving at last minute*

[@rose6268]

Watching this as an Australian is amusing. He really said that we love American accents with his whole chest. Who lied to this poor man? Go on, who did it? Fess up!

[@alexpenkethman196]

Can confirm aussies do not think Americans have “the coolest accent”

[@nickderooy480]

I can't believe you went fishing beside a river in Darwin. I would feel safer waving American flag in Yemen.

[@martymclean3763]

Him: Australians talk fast Me: listening at 2x speed

[@tysondog843]

Americans get a bad wrap for being ignorant, but this bloke sounds really open minded, takes things as they are, and enjoys that about them. Cool guy. If you come back, WA is amazing, and totally different from the North to the south. plus the East coast from the tropical north to the snowies in the south, lots more to do and see, you'd be welcomed back, no worries.

[@paulclark4988]

What a nice honest guy, you can sell Australia to the world for us anytime, Cheer's Mate.

[@ajayyfnbr6692]

Watching this as an australian is hilarious. Not sure if Aussies like the American Accent

[@coastsouljah]

I'm from New Zealand 🇳🇿 I love Australians :) rough as around the edges and they get our jokes 👌👌😊😊🇦🇺🇦🇺🇳🇿🇳🇿

[@rubybest9303]

I have to change the speed on American channels because they speak so slowly.

[@Green-ys3wo]

Its crazy to me as an Aussie that other people dont eat pies....say what?

[@brendanrobertson5966]

Standard briefing to American tourists. "If it moves it can kill you; if it doesn't move it can kill you; if you don't see it, it can kill you; if you do see it, don't move, they hunt by motion."

[@shriekinobi459]

You had me at 7 seconds into video when you mentioned Darwin! Many overseas travellers come to Australia but they rarely come to Darwin. Respect 👍🏽

[@wickedbluex7677]

It’s nice to see a positive video about Australia by an American

[@zacha6339]

if theres one place you can almost guarantee to see a kangaroo, its on a golf course

[@davidhamilton506]

Here is a little piece from an American now living in Australia. He is comparing life in the US to life here in Australia. An Americans view of Aussie : Thought this may interest you. An American’s Opinion of Australia David Mason is a Writer, a Professor, and a Poet Laureate from Colorado, USA 'There's a lot to admire about Australia, especially if you're a visiting American, says David Mason. 'More often than you might expect, Australian friends patiently listening to me enthuse about their country have said, We need outsiders like you to remind us what we have. So here it is - a small presumptuous list of what one foreigner admires in Oz.' 1. Health care. I know the controversies, but basic national health care is a gift. In America, medical expenses are a leading cause of bankruptcy. The drug companies dominate politics and advertising. Obama was being crucified for taking halting baby steps towards sanity. You can't turn on the telly without hours of drug advertisements - something I have never yet seen here. And your emphasis on prevention - making cigarettes less accessible, for one - is a model. 2. Food. Yes, we have great food in America too, especially in the big cities. But your bread is less sweet, your lamb is cheaper, and your supermarket vegetables and fruits are fresher than ours. Too often in my country America, an apple is a ball of pulp as big as your face. The dainty Pink Lady apples of Oz are the juiciest I've had. And don't get me started on coffee. In American small towns it tastes like water flavoured with burnt dirt, but the smallest shop in the smallest town in Oz can make a first-rate latte. I love your ubiquitous bakeries, and your hot-cross buns. Shall I go on? 3. Language. How do you do it? The rhyming slang and Aboriginal place names are like magic spells. Words that seem vaguely English yet also resemble an argot from another planet. I love the way institutional names get turned into diminutives - Vinnie's and Salvos (St Vincent De Paul & Salvation Army) - and absolutely nothing's sacred. Everything is an opportunity for word games and everyone has a nickname. Lingo makes the world go round. It's the spontaneous wit of the people that tickles me most. Late one night at a barbie my new mate Suds remarked: ''Nothing's the same since 24-7.'' Amen to that. 4. Free-to-air TV. In Oz, you buy a TV, plug it in and watch some of the best programming I've ever seen - uncensored. In America, you can't get diddly-squat without paying a cable or satellite company heavy fees. In Oz a few channels make it hard to choose. In America, you've got 400 channels and nothing to watch. 5. Small shops. Outside the big cities in America corporations have nearly erased them. Identical malls with identical restaurants serving inferior food. Except for geography, it's hard to tell one American town from another. The ''take-away'' culture here in Australia is wonderful. The human encounters are real - people love to stir, and stories get told. The curries here are to die for. And you don't have to tip! 6. Free camping. We used to have this too, and I guess it's still free when you backpack miles away from the roads. But I love the fact that in Oz everyone owns the shoreline and in many places you can pull up a camper van and stare at the sea for weeks. I love the ''primitive'' and independent camp-grounds, the life out-of-doors. The few idiots who leave their stubbies and rubbish behind in these pristine places ought to be transported in chains to the penal colonies. 7. Religion. In America , it's everywhere - especially where it's not supposed to be, like politics. I imagine you have your Pharisees too, making a big public show of devotion, but I have yet to meet one here. 8. Roads. Peak hour aside, I've found travel on your roads pure heaven. My country's ''Freeways'' are crowded, crumbling, insanely knotted with looping overpasses - it's like racing homicidal maniacs on fraying spaghetti! I've driven the Hume Highway without stress, and I love the Princes Highway when it's two lanes. Ninety minutes south of Bateman's Bay I was sorry to see one billboard for a McDonald's. It's blocking a lovely paddock view. Someone should remove the MacDonald's Billboard. 9. Real multiculturalism. I know there are tensions, just like anywhere else, but I love the distinctiveness of your communities and the way you publicly acknowledge the Aboriginal past. Recently, too, I spent quality time with the Melbourne Greeks, and was gratified both by their devotion to their own great language and culture and their openness to an Afghan lunch. 10. Fewer guns. You had Port Arthur in 1996 and got real in response. America replicates such massacres several times a year and nothing changes. Why? Our religion of individual rights makes the good of the community an impossible dream. Instead of mateship we have ''It's mine and nobody else's''. We talk a great game about freedom, but too often live in fear. There's more to say - your kaleidoscopic birds, your perfumed bush in springtime, your vast beaches. These are just a few of the blessings that make Australia a rarity. Of course, it's not paradise - nowhere is - but I love it here. No need to wave flags like the Americans, and add to the world's windiness. value what you have in Australia and don't give it away ! AUSSIE CONCLUSION: Nothing is perfect but we have much to be thankful for.

[@SRM2025]

This should be top comment, so beautifully and well stated. 👍💜

[@julietigermoon9572]

Thankyou 👍

[@Sulueti]

This was such a beautiful piece - thank you for sharing your insights Sir. We are certainly lucky 😍💞

[@anthonyisdead]

you complimented our country better than most aussie's could lol, thank you!

[@rhedawarrior9372]

I didn't realise meat pies aren't everywhere

[@LordandGodofYouTube]

Beetroot on hamburgers is the way forward, and we call shrimp prawns.

[@stephenatkinson2775]

Be glad you didn't meet one of our magpies in spring. They make the plovers look like wimps.

[@petervandenheuvel1417]

you seem like a smart down to earth bloke, you would make a Aussie, no wonder everyone liked you.

[@versacegang42]

Wow finally an American that has gone somewhere more exciting than the usual stock standard Melbourne and Sydney. Darwin is a beautiful tropical city with great Asian food and Adelaide is nice too.

[@isabelnat1683]

I’m very pleasantly surprised that it’s not just a video freaking out about Australia and using Australia as click bait, this is new and refreshing to hear someone talk truthfully about our amazing country Good on ya mate

[@conwaybown1959]

I love the Yanks. They're a cool people; very generous and open. This guy is a great ambassador for Australia. Good on you, mate!

[@TheAusGamer1000]

"They love the American accent" We like making fun of it if nothing else

[@toobasaurus23]

Nice to have an American speaking clearly with considered opinion on our lovely country. Respect!

[@dimitrigeorgiadis6133]

Thank you for speaking so highly of our beloved country.

[@GGora]

living in OZ for 9 yrs now, not missing 'MERICA at all.

[@Lukelegs]

This guy sound like a top bloke. I've been to the USA stacks of times. Truely love it. Great people in the US.

[@Mitch_N]

The most genuine and accurate description of Australia

[@hubobubo2113]

Americans are so patriotic it overflows into foreign countries and they become more proud of your your country then you are :P Thanks for the video. It was great.

[@roy2177]

He forgot to mention that we Aussies don't drink Foster beer 😂

[@saimaleon7115]

He’s a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They don’t drink alcohol so wouldn’t have a clue

[@hidyhello7283]

Finally a good review of Australia! Its nice to see those who have come over, really taken the time to learn and enjoy this amazing country. I would also mention that if you go to any of the states in Australia it is like being in a whole new world - Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne are definitely the more urban/ city centers each with their own climate, culture and experiences. (Good point about educating yourself about the wildlife but as long as you leave them alone and don't be stupid its very unlikely to find or be bit by any spiders/snakes ect.)

[@finallyfinally9317]

The only people watching this are Australian ! 🤦 Oh and one New Zealander !

[@glenncol]

One of the nices Americans i have come across, glad you had a great time mate

[@mck2021]

Missionaries speak so respectfully of the places that they visit.

[@jamessmithsaltyarmy5210]

So glad a Drop Bear didn't get you!

[@zelanndoniiwinterschoi2571]

I am 5th generation Australian/Aboriginal. I wish to thank you for a beautifull view of our world...Good onya Mate xxx

[@resinapparelco433]

Australia seems amazing. I’m looking to move to Queensland from Canada after covid is over.

[@AustNRail]

Shrimp on the barbie came from a Paul Hogan tourist advertisement in the USA. No we don’t normally thrown a prawn on the barbie. Great video and great to see your prospective. Looking forward to visiting the USA soon.

[@friendlyneighbourhoodbridg1354]

Fun fact: Australian children sometimes play a game called PLOVERS - it's like a more difficult version of capture the flag, where one person is assigned to closely guard the flag (in some versions they're even allowed to stand directly over it) and that person is allowed to be rougher with the other team than the rest of their teammates. This was most likely inspired by the bird 🙂

[@ryanbales8116]

What an awesome video. I want to go to Australia so badly. One of my cousins married an Australian guy and is raising her kids there.

[@moniqueVanD]

Thanks for the positive video about Australia. It's nice to hear an American not talking smack about the differences between our countries LOL

[@railehlinton5519]

Where i'm from i see kangaroos and wallabies every day. It's different depending on the type of terrain

[@ringleader7388]

I think this is the first time seeing an American actually enjoying Australia on KZbin like others are affending our food.. just our food :| OH and our wildlife -^-

[@MuseCatherine]

What a lovely man this guy is.

[@eundongpark1672]

I’m an Australian that lived in the US for 12 years. I also didn’t pick up an accent but I did pick up some American words. I’m now saying “vacation” instead holiday because I sense the ambiguity of the American difference between holiday and vacation. Similarly torch: I’m uncomfortable with the ambiguity so I’m now always saying flashlight. I notice this guy is saying barbecue, not grilling, whereas in America (where I lived in FL, IL and WA) everyone seemed to say grill, not BBQ. I think Australians are pretty much exactly the same as Americans in terms of friendliness or socializing or being into sports... some Americans and some Australians are friendly, sporty, socially aware, and some other Australians are a bit standoffish, parochial and socially ignorant, or not at all into sports. It is dangerous to judge an entire country from just meeting a few groups or only sampling from a certain section (such as backpackers, or just factory workers, or just church goers). As for picking up an accent, I’m convinced that there is an effect of your desire or aspiration to be Australian or like Australians, compared to your sense of identity as an American. When I was young (mid 20s), and a bit of an Anglophile, I worked a year in the UK and had trouble resisting the urge to speak like the locals and I’d find myself using a local accent talking with customers. In the US, however, I felt absolutely no similar urge to be American or like Americans, so I didn’t feel any urge to pronounce things like the people I was talking to, no urge to match the cadence or join in on the tones. I think people make too much out of how dangerous Australian creatures are. America also has dangerous animals, like Coyotes, and the first day I was ever i. America, I went out for a walk from my hotel (to try to beat jetlag) and there was a freakin’ alligator in the table drain beside the footpath. It was only about 3or 4 ft long and it didn’t move, but it gave me the same kind of fright a brown snake would give me out hiking in Australia.and nothing has ever attacked me on a picnic in Australia like the raccoons that have attacked me in the US. Your average Aussie doing average things probably only has to deal with a few spiders, and most of them are just scary looking (like huntsmen) but not actually dangerous. In short, there’s really not much difference. We tend the talk 95%of the time focusing on differences which in fact are really only about 5% different from each other.

[@travispoulsen8958]

The free refills used to be a thing at subway in Australia, I think hungry jacks still has free refills. (Burger King) lol

[@D13-r9w]

This guy did an awesome job. Americans that travel are some of the nicest people in the world

[@berniemckinley4988]

What a lovely natural manner you have 👍🏼

[@pweter351]

There are suburbs where every house has a wallaby or kangaroo on the front lawn. Mount Cotton in Brisbane.

[@stormiesnazz4698]

i do quite like this video however!!! please note that it is not typically called ayers rock, its uluru!

[@fleachamberlain1905]

So glad you had a great time. That's lovely to hear. Just a few language tips for any of your fellow Americans coming for a visit: It is koalas, Uluru and prawns. Have fun (:

[@fo22zz]

This is the most accurate representation I have heard.

[@bbrodriguez420]

Good to watch one of these and it not being someone talking crap about Australia, this guy gets it.

[@michaeljelicic4601]

When my wife doesn’t laugh at my jokes I’ll come here knowing if I told him he would’ve laughed.

[@ThatsSoMeYa]

I vibe and appreciate the calmness in your video

[@MephistoRolling]

You really took it in and remembered a lot of the details, it was very impressive. I live in Adelaide now, but am originally from Darwin and my family is from Alice Springs.

[@katehobbs2008]

Australians being polite - “Sure, we love your accent....”. This is a respectful and considered chat, thank you.

[@StephenStHill-si7en]

I'm glad you enjoyed your stay! My parents went on a holiday as newly weds in 1960 from Sydney to Darwin. They camped on the beach. Next morning they saw big croc tracks in the sand beside the tent. We all learn if we are lucky enough.

[@paulstockdale5143]

Glad you had a good time brother

[@Warsnop]

Thanks for coming to my little home town of Adelaide mate, much appreciated! We get mocked by the other places for being a bore, but I personally love it here and wouldn't ever change it.

[@ellafleming7099]

i feel all good about myself when someone praises australia

[@McClintonforThree]

I live in Florida which I kind of feel is Australia-lite. I honestly can't wait to visit. Hope all you Aussies are recovering from those fires ok. Great video. 👍

[@happytoday333]

Uluru (Ayers rock), one of the natural wonders of the world. Yeah it is one of the great places in the world.

[@Joseph-uu4zu]

Sign this guy up to the tourism board!

[@kymlovegrove2535]

The crocodiles are more like 18 ft long saltwater crocodiles are the largest species of crocodile and the most aggressive species of all crocodiles and alligator species

[@MorganHJackson]

I love how you say to not let the wildlife deter you. That's the biggest take away with our dangerous nature - if you know the risks, you'll be safe.

[@avengers_geek1423]

You know finally i can listen to a Video where somebody is nice to Australia i'm Australian myself and i love it!!

[@andrewmckay7214]

Thanks for the positive words mate! If ya ever gunna come back and want to see Victoria and NSW, let me know.

[@Chuckmeister200]

I enjoyed this as a genuine review...thanks.

[@Jgvideophoto]

This dude has travelled more of Australia than most Australians have

[@jackjohnson9161]

Happy to here you enjoyed your time in Australia mate. Y'all come back now, ha hear.

[@ash-ip2gc]

Hi mate (Lifey). You're a legend! Thanks for propping us up! And as you know from your time here in Oz, a very large number of Aussies do think US accent is so cool. But of course many don't as per the popular comment by Skeng Man. I do like the US accent but each to own. Come again after covid if you can yew!! Fun fact: I've been told that our chocolate and soft drinks taste so good compared to USA because we use 100% sugar from sugarcane to give it that addictive sweet flavour. I've been told in the USA it's mostly Corn Syrup which does the job but is not quite as delicious. Apparently it's like that because corn is produced in abundance vs Sugarcane in the US.

[@kmr6773]

Mate this was the best video review and sooooo funny...I am a born and bred Northern Territorian and still live on the outskirts of Darwin! I loved your positive and funny review..so accurate...BTW ALWAYS Be Croc Wise...us locals do not swim anywhere but our pools as we know how dangerous and prevalent this apex predator is!!

[@Channel66678]

It's refreshing to hear this about my country, thank you.

[@11Cloudy_Moon11]

This man was so nice 😊 and I’m so surprised that he went to Adelaide and not only around Sydney, as and Aussie this was very entertaining

[@TB-ht1ei]

literally was eating a meat pie while watching this..

[@hankcuccina5260]

No wonder he had a good time in Aus, he comes across as a very friendly, all round good bloke, the type Aussies warm to.

[@abbibrophy7671]

Its touch footy not touch rugby

[@beccalibur]

Although officially both names are correct, it's more respectful to call it Uluru, not Ayer's Rock. Uluru is the name the local aboriginal mob used for it long before British colonisation.

[@nilsgornall5779]

Well done. You nailed it. I’m an Aussie and this is a great review. Every thing you said was spot on. Well done mate :-)

[@tetsuan25]

I grew up in Darwin, it literally can pour down across the street and stay dry on your side. Went through Cyclone Gretal in 84 loved it

[@TheDenn0088]

I'm impressed ;) You have quite the knowledge of my country and my city (Adelaide). Thanks for the kind review ;) I also lived in the States. Beautiful people, beautiful history and beautiful country. God bless.

[@wardyyyy8930]

Dudes talkin fax. Take it from someone that lives in Australia, shrimp on the barbie isn’t an Aussie thing at all. No one dose it. It was only a thing because of an American ad that had an Aussie guy saying “I’ll put a shrimp on the barbie for ya”

[@bomberT1]

If you went to Melbourne you would’ve experienced 4 seasons in one day, everyday.

[@allanmckenzie6696]

Thanks mate for your positive thoughts about Australia. Much appreciated sir. Come visit Queensland sometime, you'll love it. Best wishes from Queensland Australia :-)

[@mickythompson3807]

As an Aussie that's a pretty good run down of our country 👍 nice work mate ✌🇦🇺

[@garyradley5694]

Got hit by a plover in the back of my neck when I was a teenager at hockey ( field ) practice. The sore took months to heal and was very painful.

[@janetbransdon3742]

G'day from Australia... so glad you had a bonza time here .🦘🐨🦜

[@legoqueen2445]

Thanks for such an honest review!! So good to hear someone who enjoyed our country! My family migrated here when I was 3, I've only seen one snake out in nature over the 40 years I lived here. Plenty of deadly spiders but you just have to be careful and fumigate regularly where they're likely to hang out. If you're ever in Victoria let me know, lots of places I can recommend.

[@Maldives2025]

i couldnt believe the food portions when I went to USA. could feed a family! and the drink cups seemed to be almost 1L for one serving.

[@markissboi3583]

STRAYA plovers magpies drop bears spiders snakes and the most scariest is being late home for tea Mum ? 😜👍💗🎈🥇 oh yer uptop crocs and roos jumping across roads

[@wendyschulz7362]

Glad you loved our country...we are pretty laid back here

[@lukeslayer]

Thanks for the kind words. Most videos about Aus made by Americans are made edgy with lots of complaints etc.. This is just a genuine recap on your experience. Good on ya mate.

[@tictacturkey3367]

I love this lil bugger. Makes me proud of my country.

[@allanhindmarch7323]

Thanks for the shout out from Oz mate. Really appreciate it. It's a great place to live and yeh, we're a bit weird, but we're fun and down to earth. Would love to see the US one day. You guys have some awesome scenery!

[@grahamjohnbarr]

The Aussie Movie List. 1. Hercules Returns. A story about a Movie Theatre being forced to close. Humour. 2. The Castle. Story about a family saving their house being taken. Humour. 3. Their a Weird Mob. Italian immigrant learning Australian. Humour. 4. Red Dog. The true story of a red dog & his adventures. Dramatic humour. Tissues. 5. Son of Red Dog. Sequel. As above. 6. Kenny. The true story of a man with an unusual occupation. Humour. 7. Wolf Creek. Scary drama. 8. Chopper. True story of a bloke who only robs Crooks. 9. Stone. Australian Classic. True Motorcycle Club story. About a funeral. Drama. 10. The Dish. True story about the Moon landing. Humorous Drama. 11. Danny Deckchair. Sort off true story. Humorous Drama. 12. Strictly Ballroom. What goes on behind the scene. Humour. 13. Tap Dogs. True story of some steel workers who do Irish dancing. Humorous drama. 14. Australia. The story of opening up Australia’s west. Drama. 15. Mullet. Humour 16. Takeaway. Humorous drama. 17. The Craic. (Crack) To have a go at someone. Humour. 18. Picnic at Hanging Rock. Sort of true story. Mystery. 19. Cosi. Story about an Arts Theatre. Humour. 20. Crackerjack. Humour. 21. Downunder. Humour, Drama. 22. My Left Foot. Australian classic. Drama. 23. Wake in Fright. Scary drama. 24. Rachel. Tear jerker. 25. Pricilla, Queen of the Desert. Humorous Drama. 26. My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Aussie humour. 27. The Man from Snowy River. True story from a Poem from Banjo Patterson. Drama. 28. The Odd Angry Shot. Story about the Aust. S.A.S. in Vietnam. Humour. 29. Breaker Morant. True story of the War in Sth. Africa. 30. Kokoda. The story of Australian Citizen Soldiers holding off the Japanese. Drama 31. The ANZACS. The Australian story of Gallipoli. Drama. 32. The Light Horsemen. Australians in the Middle east. WW1. Drama. 33. One Perfect Day. Music drama. 34. Mr. Accident. Humorous drama. 35. These Final Hours. Drama. 36. Houses V Authority. Drama. 37. Two Hands. Drama. 38. Ned. Drama. 39. The Rover. Drama. 40. Blurred. Drama. 41. Under the Radar. A surfer takes 2 mental patients to the beach. Comedy, Drama. Thriller. 42. The Loved ones. Drama. 43. Bad Boy Bubby. Drama. 44. The Loved Ones. Australian Horror. 45. The Rover. Drama. 46. Blurred. Australian Schoolies Comedy 47. Animal Kingdom. Sort off true story. Drama. 48. Mad Max 1,2 & 3. Crocodile Dundee. 1 & 2

[@jasminepalmer1512]

Ddidnt expect this video to stroke my ego so much as an Australian but here we are

[@markchip1]

"Do your research - just be educated!" He said this to his fellow AMERICANS? Some hope!!!

[@boeingdriver29]

This guy should be employed as a tourism ambassador for Australia, he could do a lot of good.