A friend in Australia recently asked me what I liked most and least about Australia. I thought you might want to know too…

I must say that the thing I liked best about Australia is the egalitarianism. I never felt the presence of a social hierarchy: neither gloating executives nor ashamed labourers. This goes hand in hand with the idea of “mateship” I suppose. In the US, depending upon region of course, it is uncommon to hold a casual conversation with a stranger. Even if you do, you would go through an unwritten formality of “warming up” to them by asking expected questions, etc. In Australia, I could walk right up to a stranger, yap my head off about personal issues, and meet them later for a beer. In general, I feel like Australians (in Queensland at least) were much more approachable and empathetic than Americans.

In a similar sense, I like how Australians seem to have more respect for Australia than Americans have for America (in a non-political way). Again, this must vary by region, but some examples are the lack of graffiti and public defacement in Australia, the cleanliness of and respect shown toward public transportation, and even the condition of public toilets. Here’s a curious aside: nearly every public toilet in the US has a paper seat-cover dispenser. Americans are very concerned with sanitation (to a fault, in many cases). I never found such paper seat-covers in Australia. I believe this is not due to a lack of concern for sanitation, but because paper seat-covers are not needed when everyone respects the cleanliness of public toilets in the first place.

Of course, the natural wildlife of Australia was one of my favorite aspects. I love the outdoors and a good adventure. Camping on Moreton Island was fantastic; the kangaroos and lush meadows of the Mornington Peninsula were breathtaking; the Great Barrier Reef was incredible and done no justice by any photographs. The lighthouse and cliffs at Byron Bay were also memorable; it was fun standing on the most easterly point of the Australia main land, envisioning Chile just across the pond.

There are a handfull of small things that I like about Australia, such as how every bill is a different size and color, and how every electrical outlet has a switch on it.

Now, for the bad…..

I do not have many gripes about Australia. Those that I do have are mainly cultural differences, or due to the difference in our technological or economical developments. For example, nothing in Australia was unlimited: mobile phone minutes, internet data, even Coke at restaurants. In the US is is very common to pay a flat rate for unlimited services, such as $20 per month for an unlimited internet connection in your home, and free refills of bevereges in restaurants. Perhaps this is me being a glutenous American, but it sure is inconvenient having to pay extra for what you’ve been accustomed to getting for free.

I also missed delis. Americans are big fans of the sandwich. In the US, every small town and city block has a “mom and pop” deli. In Australia I only found the occasional Subway or Quiznos. On the other hand, gyro shops are all over the place in Australia and much less common in the US. Gyros are something I miss dearly about Australia (and probably the most notable aspect of Australian cuisine).

I have mixed feelings about the fashion in Australia. Mohawks, mullets, and spandex went out with the 1980′s and should never return. Then again, what do I know about fashion… I’m just an engineer.