I NEED AUSSIE NERDS HELP

[Rocker]

ok so my name is abby i live in the us (michigan) and iam going to study abroad next year in Australia and iam realy excited but iam also kinda nervous because i don't know how different our cultures so if any body could help me out umm let me know on here or my e-mail is [e-mail]

[Janet Dudley]

There are differences in culture that might make things awkward, I'll list those I can think of:

1. We have a big personal space. It's hot and humid over here, and there is spare space to occupy, so we like to.
2. We're pretty laid back. Chill and get to know us little by little. If we're quiet, it's probably just because we prefer the quiet, not because we're unfriendly.
3. Please don't touch strangers. I know most Americans don't, but I've had bad experiences with excited tourists.
4. We tend to tease people as a joke, not to hurt their feelings. Eg: we will likely tell you tall tales about the wild-life and tease you for being American. Don't take it personally. Say a witty comeback and we'll love it.
5. We use sarcasm in many shapes and forms: to make jokes, as a witty comeback, to show annoyance, to humorously understate something, etc. If you don't know when we're being sarcastic, you can really put your foot in it. But we'll usually set you right if you ask "are you serious?".

And here are some thing about the environment that you should know:
1. The fake wildlife we tease you about are drop-bears and hoop-snakes. The non-imaginary wildlife is really actually dangerous. Nearly every native animal has poisonous or dangerous variety, including seashells and octopuses. So pay attention when people warn you. We have 9 of the top 10 most poisonous*1 snakes and many venomous spiders, including the funnel web spider and the redback spider, which is like a variant, more dangerous black widow. So don't touch any wildlife unless someone tells you it's ok. Not even the cuddly stuff like kangaroos. And don't swim anywhere someone hasn't told you is safe.
2. The Australian Sun burns with a fierce and searing fire. I'm not kidding, we don't have a proper Ozone layer and the UV rays (the burning part) are stronger here than anywhere else in the world, even the Equator. If you spend an hour in the mid-day sun unprotected you will get burnt enough to make your skin peel off. It will hurt for days. We are the skin-cancer capital of the world. Wear suncreen every day if you're going in the Sun at all. Wear polarised sunglasses if you can, over the long term many Aussies go blind from the Sun. Wear 30+ broadspectrum suncreen on all exposed skin, try to stay indoors between 10am and 2pm and wear a broadbrimmed hat if you can. (I know I'm overstating this, but some people give themselves heatstroke and first degree burns and end up in hospital, because they don't believe that our Sun is that strong: disregard latitude, it's about the lack of Ozone layer.)

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*1 this may be more accurate as deadly or venomous, sorry for the vagueness.

[Fedora.Pirate]

Way to tell that Drop-Bears aren't real :P (spoil all my fun), as for hoop-snakes they're actually a US creature that we stole 'cause we're all criminals like that. While we're at it, spoiling all the fun of those of us who love fooling tourists with dead pan humour; Bunyips & Yowies aren't real either. (I love Cryptozoology)

[Janet Dudley]

I don't want to spoil the fun, it's just that I've seen Aussie humour backfire badly on Americans who take things seriously. Also, if you like crytozoology, I hope you read Irregular Webcomic by David Morgan Marr:
http://www.irregularwebcomic.net/2270.html
There's a long story behind that strip, and it's all fun, and partly exceedingly impressive. Consider David MM to be the nerdfighteriest web-comic author you're likely to read, ever.

[Rocker]

Thank u all for being so awesome i an REALLY excited about my up coming trip. Australia is indeed a large country and i still dont know where exactly i will be staying. As soon as I find out I will be sure to let you all know. Thanks again for your advice and such!
xoxo
Abby