by Anne StClair

Created on: September 24, 2009

There are probably as many customs in Australia as there are Australians. Like the USA, Australia is a melting pot of people from around the world, and each ethnic group brings its own customs to the country. It is therefore difficult to pin down anything that could be considered a uniquely 'Australian' custom.

As a migrant from England many years ago, I can only comment on customs that I found strange and uniquely Australian when I arrived here. The following are just a few of these customs:

Bring a Plate
When I was first asked to bring a plate to a function, that's exactly what I did. I thought it was a little odd, but accepted that as there were a number of people attending the party the host/hostess might well run out of crockery. I took a plate, and was treated with mockery. Only then did I learn that 'bring a plate' meant that I was supposed to bring a plate loaded with 'finger foods'.

Your Turn to Shout
I remember having a casual drink in a pub with friends and being told that it was my 'turn to shout'. I hadn't the foggiest idea what they were talking about, and couldn't for the life of me think why I would be shouting in a pub. It was only when someone patiently explained it to me that I learned that what they were saying was it was my turn to buy a round of drinks.

This custom has its drawbacks, and leads to heavier drinking, because if you are with a group of say six people, you will have at least six drinks to make sure everyone has paid for their 'shout'. It's a custom that could well be dispensed with in these days of more sensible and responsible drinking.

Melbourne Cup
Australia stops on the afternoon of the second Tuesday in November. Everything stops. Businesses shut up shop; employees quit work and huddle around TV sets brought into the office for the day (usually by the employers).

The reason Australia grinds to a halt is a dumb horse race, the Melbourne Cup. When I first arrived here, for some reason I thought the Melbourne Cup was a yacht race, but I was soon set straight. Why it is that Australia stops for a horse race is beyond comprehension, but it is a custom that is deeply ingrained in the culture. There are millions of Australians who would never dream of betting on a horse race - except on Melbourne Cup Day.

ANZAC Day
For a migrant to Australia, ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) day is at first incomprehensible. It 'celebrates' the annihilation of thousands of brave Australians and New Zealanders who gave up their lives

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