Australia
Social & Business Customs
Food
There are numerous specialty dishes and foods including Sydney rock oysters, barramundi (freshwater fish), tiger prawns, macadamia nuts and yabbies (small freshwater lobsters). Beef is the most popular meat and lamb is also of a high quality. There is a wide variety of excellent fruits and vegetables. Service is European‑style and varies from waitress and waiter service to self‑service. Bistros, cafés, family‑style restaurants and 'pub' lunches at the counter offer good food at reasonable prices. Some restaurants will allow guests to bring their own alcohol and are called 'BYO' restaurants. Being a country of immigrants, Australia also offers an enormous variety of cuisine: Italian, French, Greek, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Thai, Japanese, Indian, African, Lebanese & Korean.
Drink
The major vineyards (wineries) are outside Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Canberra and Adelaide. The largest single wine‑growing region is in the Barossa Valley, South Australia, where high‑quality red and white wines are produced. Australian wines are good and inexpensive. Beer is served chilled.
Nightlife
Theater and performance arts are good in Sydney and Melbourne, in particular the Sydney Opera House. Melbourne is Australia's cultural city and has a great live music scene. Other forms of nightlife are available as in large cities. In rural areas the pub is the standard venue for socialising. Local drinking holes off the beaten track tend to be very simple affairs and also very friendly.
Shopping
Special purchases include excellent local wines; wool, clothing, leather and sheepskin products; opal and other precious or semi‑precious stones; and modern art sculpture and paintings. Exhibitions of bark paintings, boomerangs and other tribal objects are on view and for sale in Darwin, Alice Springs and the State capitals; many depict stories from the Dreamtime. Many cities and towns have small shops devoted to the sale of 'Australiana', where Australian souvenirs, ranging from T‑shirts to boomerangs, can be bought.
Shopping Hours
Most stores in cities are open 9AM‑5:30PM Monday to Friday and 9AM‑5PM Saturday. Shops are open all day Saturday in South Australia and Western Australia.
Social
A largely informal atmosphere prevails; shaking hands is the customary greeting. Casual wear is worn everywhere except in the most exclusive restaurants, social gatherings and important business meetings.
Tipping
Not as common as it is in Europe and America nor is a service charge added to the bill in restaurants. 10% for food and drink waiters is usual in top‑quality restaurants, but is optional elsewhere. With taxis, it is not usual to tip but round up the cost to the next dollar.
Business
Suits are necessary in Sydney and Melbourne. Brisbane business people may wear shirts, ties and shorts; visiting business people should wear lightweight suits for the initial meeting. Prior appointments necessary. Punctuality is important. A great deal of business is conducted over drinks. Best months for business travel are March to November. Office hours: Mon‑Fri 9AM‑5PM.
