22 “Culture Shocks” Encountered By This American Woman Who Moved To Australia

i once asked (on BP?) why you put on a price without taxes and someone told me, so you can compare prices without the changing taxes in the differnt states.. but if a product costs 5$ with taxes and 6$ with taxes in a different state, i don't gaf that the taxes are different? it is just more expensive in state b? wth?

Not just Australia. True of pretty much everywhere EXCEPT America.

Also situation in many countries except US...

Yep, still pretty common, even in places where the weather is not great, like the UK, because the cost of running a tumble dryer is excessive.

She is probably talking about soft drinks aka soda coz tap water refills are free in Australia.

I still can't believe that I cannot make direct transfers to anyone's US bank account from my US bank account, but it's true.

Been the same in the UK for many years now. Bring your own bags or pay for them, your choice.

Yeah, too big, too much in the USA.

Australians are next level casual about everything.

They have cameras. They'll catch you. I wish I pay at the pump but here in UK, my local gas station requires me to fill up and then go in and pay. Never seen anybody do a runner.

A friend of mine worked at a German gas station. In the event of a gas theft, policy was just to make a note of it and let the camera do the rest. In event of a robbery he was told to frienldy comply completely. The robber wants a coffee? Ask him if he needs cream or sugar. All the money? No Problem, have a nice day! The reason is that because of the extensive camera surveillance, the clearup rate for gas theft or gas station robbery is nearly 100%, so why worry. Of course the unavailability of guns is another factor, as the robber will most probably only carry a knife, not an AR-47.

If you attempt to drive away, the security cameras everywhere will catch you. Even if you're missing a registration plate, I've heard.

We used to have pay at pump at many service stations here in Australia. It started in the late 80s, or early 90s. Then they disappeared gradually in the 21st century, not sure why. Now I pay by app, and only use where i can pay by app if possible.

I’m a Jersey girl. We don’t pump gas. Just pull up to any pump and an attendant pumps your gas for you. You tell them what you’re getting (ex: $20., fill up, regular or premium gas), they pump, you pay. You never get out of your vehicle.

South-Africa have petrol attendance.

If you pay with cash in the US, you go inside to pay. I don’t see why this such a big deal.

This just sounds inconvenient

When they first started having self service at gas stations in the US it was like that, but everywhere on the east coast anyway, you have to prepay or use a card now. When I FIRST started driving you would never be allowed to fill your own tank. The first sign of change was when they stopped washing your windshield and checking your oil for you.

you can literally do that in the us

It's that way at a lot of stations where I live in Wisconsin US, especially in smaller towns

Wait, what? I don’t think I’ve ever gone to a gas station in the US that didn’t have the option to gas up first.

And if you have a dog or small child in the car? F**k that, I'll get gas elsewhere...

the only runner I know drove off into the side of a tanker discharging petrol

Again, no different from many USA states.

In Sweden we have automatic paying ones, they register it one the register plate you have connect to your bank/credit card. We has also paying apps for phones.

Smaller cities in the USA don't ask you to pay in advance. I have accidently drove off myself before without paying but always after going inside to make other purchases and just simply forgetting. They are really nice about it though I was literally scared the first time it happened. It's happened twice since but the attendants now make an effort to ask everyone at the check out if they have fuel outside. That helps a lot.

Some gas stations in the US still allow this, but they also have card readers. They also have a lot of security cameras.

I do seriously miss paying at the pump though. Oh and not having to keep squeezing the lever

Hmmm

That says it all really. Americans will skip out if they think they can get away with it.

Health food section HA HA HA, doesn't have as much sugar as in the USA.

Well... You have to pay for what you order ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

It's a no. The yeah is to say we heard what your saying and the nah is to disagree with what you said. I am terrible with this and say it all the time. But also for another reason, indecisiveness lol.

This is the only Australian reference i know! (They’re flip flops ;) )

Many people don't realise that US Target has absolutely no affiliation with Australian Target in any way.

Had to Google it! "It's Australia's Secret Umami Bomb. That's right. It's salt—made out of chicken."

Just like in Pennsylvania. Only recently is beer available in some supermarkets. Not in 7 eleven, CVS or gas stations.

Business at the front, party in the back. I personally think mullets look bloody awful. But each to their own.

Looks round for a weedy bloke in glasses. ;-)

You're likely to get your face rearranged if you try that anywhere other than Australia ;-)

Shout = turn. Same as British English.

i never understood the american tampons with the thingy :D