Please and thank you can always stand anyone in good stead. Here are a few more to add to your vocabulary.
Phrases
- Excuse me - when you wish to ask a question or when squeezing through people.
- Sorry - if you accidently knock into someone
- If someone says they have just had a "blue" - they have just had an argument with someone. (Avoid getting into a blue)
- If someone says they "feel a bit crook" - they don’t feel very well, As do the term "not 100%" or "a bit under the weather"
- The Term "Bugger" is an expression of disappointment usually used as an exclamation when something goes wrong. It is also used in "Bugger off" which is a hostile way of saying 'go away'.
- Pissed, Sloshed, Tanked, Blotto and Maggoted are all terms meaning highly inebriated (very drunk)
Behaviour
- Always join a line of people queuing for something by going to the end of the line.
- Aussies tend to like their personal space, so when queuing just step back a little, it will be appreciated.
- When there are two counters serving it is customary to allow the person before you to go to the first unattended one.
- It is nice to say "Hello" or "Gooday" when entering and "Goodbye" or "Goodnight" when leaving a shop or a restaurant. A cheery thank you will suffice too when leaving.
Australian Slang (Aussie or Ozzi) This is a very comprehensive listing of Aussie Slang. Enjoy!
