“What’s dating like in Australia?”

“It’s f.u.c.k.e.d.”

***

We all know by now that I’m Curious George when it comes to the world and the people in it. I had a window of opportunity to move to Australia, took it and it’s been an incredible journey ever since.

I received so many messages from friends back home wondering what it’s like to live on this mysterious continent. I even have an ongoing Twitter thread of questions my friends and family ask me about Australia, such as “do they have taxis?” or “do they have malls?”

So I’ll let you in on a little secret, Australia is a civilized place full of malls, taxis and unusually tall people!! Life Down Under is a little backward, a little forward and one hundred percent good. Here’s every unconventional thing I learned after living in Australia for one year:

Time Zones and The Imperial System

Ugh. Don’t even get me started. It’s an adjustment that I never actually learned, nor embraced. I still have to look at the world clock on my phone to see what time it is back home, and I still need to google the whole kilos to pounds conversion. It’s just easier that way (thanks Google!!).

I have learned that counting calories doesn’t matter to me anymore… I haven’t been able to read nutrition label for a year thanks to everything being in kilojoules or grams. At this point, eating 3 Tim Tams is the equivalent of eating 3 carrot sticks *shrug*.

Food

People always ask me what the food is like in Australia, and I think they assume that eating kangaroo and crocodile for dinner is the norm. But nahhhh, it’s not (exactly) like that.

Vegemite, Tim Tams, meat pies, sausage rolls, Lamington, Pavlova, Golden Gaytimes, Weet-Bix, salt & pepper calamari, sausage sizzle, Anzac cookies, fish and chips, chicken parmy, fairy bread, cheesy-mite scroll, avocados, anything with beetroot, and lemon, lime & bitters are alllllll Australia’s pride and joy of food. And, honestly, it’s all good (I have a love-hate relationship with Vegemite, but have concluded that it’s a good hangover cure).

I learned to let go of my loyalty to brands such as Dill Pickles, Skippy’s peanut butter and Folgers coffee because I haven’t seen those labels on this side of the world… it’s the little things.

Dating and Relationships

I know you’re all wondering… what it’s like to date an Aussie. And let me tell ya, it’s pretty freaking chill. (But also, Jack is a very patient person and I don’t know how he puts up with me.) I noticed that Australian guys won’t go up to girls or make the first move. I think they lack confidence in that area or they just get intimidated (?) because making that first initial move is a challenge for both parties (when it shouldn’t be!!!).

But then I asked an Aussie chick what she thinks of dating in Australia and she said, “It’s fucked.”

So basically, dating is terrible no matter where you are in the world. I had to wrangle Jack like a freaking crocodile hunter, but after that, our relationship has been very laid back. But that’s also how we are.

Whether male or female, dating an Aussie is cool because they like to travel, they’re probably tall, tan and gorgeous and they’re not clingy (dependent on the person). 10/10 would recommend dating an Australian if you can catch one.

Work

I held three different jobs while living in Australia: freelance writer, Au Pair and waitress. I know those are all extremely random and different, but hey, it’s monayyyy (except that you get taxed an INSANE amount if you’re on a work holiday visa).

A common learning experience among each of those jobs is to relaxxxx — remember that your time is valuable, there’s always a solution to a problem and tasks will always get done. Simple as that.

I had a really sweet opportunity to work at a media publication in Melbourne. After working in media in NYC, I can say with confidence that working in this industry in Australia is way more laid back, and the content is just as good. So what’s with all the stress, America?

Fashion

Aussie fashion pretty much mirrors LA. It’s all about tube tops, high waisted jeans, pin straight/ middle-parted hair, fake lashes and heaps of makeup. For the men, an unusually long shirt, skinny jeans and most likely tatted.

During my year here, I didn’t buy too many clothes because their sizes are wack and it’s REALLY expensive (unless you shop at Kmart, which is what I did, #noshame).

Music

My eyes are now open to the Australian music scene and how insanely talented and underrated it is! Before moving here, I couldn’t name one Australian musician other than Keith Urban or Flume.

Now, my favorite band is The Jungle Giants who I discovered at Falls Music Festival during New Years. (Check them out!) Also, Gang of Youths, Thundamentals, PNAU, Baker Boy and Cosmos Midnight. You’re welcome.

Domestic Travel

Australia is probably the best place in the world for a female solo traveler. Every time I stayed in a hostel here, I met mostly women who were exploring Australia on their own. That’s pretty rad!

Aussies loveeeee to travel and have so much PTO, it’s unreal. It’s casual for them to take 6 months off work to go explore Canada or something. Like, what?

But their own country is SO BEAUTIFUL. They have the Great Ocean Road, Uluru, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Opera House… and that’s just the touristy stuff! This country is full of rainforests, waterfalls, the Outback, jaw-droppingly beautiful beaches and secluded islands. I haven’t even explored a fingernail of it.

It’s easy to travel in Australia because domestic flights are cheap and hostels are everywhere. It’s even common to hire a van, drive along the coast and camp somewhere on the beach (in an expensive country, that’s the way to do it). My dream is to hire a kombi and drive along the vast west coast of Australia. Something to look forward to!

Locals and their Language

Australians are an odd bunch — and I mean that in the best way possible. They have this comradery among each other that’s different from the American people. They’re peaceful, proud and protective of each other and you’ll notice that when you visit Australia.

Although their language… is not English. (Just putting that out there.) They have so many different words, phrases and ways of saying things that I basically just did a whole academic year of Australian Language 101. Crikey.

Despite totally immersing myself in the Aussie way of life, this country pushed my limits, encouraged me to explore and showed me that people are good. Australians taught me not to take life so seriously — and I know anyone could have told me that — but living as an Australian totally embodies that way of life. They’re laid back, value their own time and are very understanding.

Living here helped me realize my potential in this world. And I can’t wait to continue to explore. Thank you, Australia!!

By: www.marinasmilestones.com