1) Aussies realize that pennies are a completely useless form of currency, and therefore don’t have them. Also, bills here are different colors and sizes (aka it’s easier to do things like make change, find a note in your wallet, or be blind). The fact that the bills are plastic also makes me feel better about germs. 

2) There is an unsaid rule that beets (yes, beets) belong on burgers. This took a little getting used to - I was originally a little wary of the purple stain that the vegetable made on my burger bun the first time I encountered this addition in my pub meal. After about three bites, though, I was convinced….and I will not be embarrassed to carry around a container of beets of my own when I go out for a burger back in the States. 

3) Everyday slang. While I use a great deal of rhyming slang and the occasional stoner or valley girl words back in the States, the Aussies really have a knack for the creative stuff. My personal favorite is the word “Strewth!” (like “Ugh, SO true!” or “Totally!”)…..don’t even get me started on all of the times I have used this. Other notable phrases include “Good on yah, mate!” (similar to “Job well done!” or “Way to go!” or “Congrats, bro!”), “Heaps good!” (much like “This is great/awesome!”), “I’m keen!” (as in “I’m down for that, yo.”), and “Pig’s ass!” (“Bullshit!” or “Fuck no!”). There are also some good nicknames (Barry = Baz or Bazza), and ways to shorten words (sunglasses = sunnies, afternoon = arvo, etc). 

I’m already getting nostalgic about these things and I don’t even leave for another 3 months (although, that seems incredibly soon all of the sudden)!