I live in Australia now and can't help but wonder... why are you all so cold?
A man has sparked a heated 'culture shock' debate after claiming Australians are 'cold' and often sound 'frustrated or upset' in everyday interactions. The anonymous poster, an Australian citizen who has lived in the country for 'quite some time', said he's regularly made to feel like a nuisance - whether he's asking for help in a store or making a doctor's appointment.'I can't put my finger on it… there's just this vibe I get, like they've been inconvenienced,' he wrote.He added that he lives in Melbourne, 'unfortunately', and questioned whether the issue was cultural rather than personal. Posting in an 'Ask an Australian' Q&A, the man said the uneasy interactions were mostly with retail and hospitality staff, receptionists, other professionals and some members of the public who made him feel like a 'burden'.He theorised it could be linked to 'subtext and indirectness in Australian speak'.'Obviously anonymous people on the internet can't speak for unknown people regarding unknown circumstances, but I'm hoping this might strike a chord or sound familiar and maybe you can [explain] this behaviour for me,' he asked. '[Where I'm from] is irrelevant. People should be treated the same regardless of where they're from or how they speak. But while I am a citizen, I wouldn't consider myself an Australian... culturally at least.' A man has sparked a heated 'culture shock' debate online after claiming Australians are 'cold' and often sound 'frustrated or upset' in everyday interactions (stock image)The post opened the Reddit floodgates, with responses split between those in agreement and others fiercely defensive of Australia and its people. Many were quick to blame his chosen home of Melbourne, with one describing it as 'the unfriendliest part of the entire country'. 'Melbourne has a certain parochialism, an element of sticking to the friends you made in kinder and primary school,' a local wrote. 'It's notorious for it - just ask anyone from Sydney, Adelaide or Brisbane! The most friendly and open people here are those who have emigrated from other countries.' Others blamed Covid for the shift, claiming 'Aussies have certainly gotten crankier since then'.'They don't seem to be able to snap out of that crazy sh*t that went on. It made them angry and they still are.'Some argued it simply came down to cultural differences around politeness. 'People are there to do a job, not be your friend,' one argued. Join the debateWhat do you think makes Australians seem less friendly - culture, city life, or something else? The man said the uneasy interactions were mostly with retail and hospitality staff, receptionists, other professionals and some members of the public: 'Felt like a burden''They're working, they're not required to make you feel like you're friends. Just get on with your day. Fake happiness is not a thing we like to do.'Others cited the cost-of-living crisis, low wages, long hours and general bad days as contributors to the perceived 'coldness'. However, many pushed back on the claim, calling it 'unfair' and overly generalised.'I moved to Australia 16 years ago and I've always found Australians to be pretty friendly and accommodating,' one wrote.'Speaking as a Kiwi every time I visit Australia people are noticeably more friendly than here at least in bigger cities like Sydney and Brisbane,' another agreed.One Australian who had 'lived in multiple countries' offered a more balanced perspective.'On average, I think we are friendly enough to get the job done. I feel like we do the basic introductions and nothing more,' he wrote. Many were quick to blame his chosen home of Melbourne (pictured, stock), with one describing it as 'the unfriendliest part of the entire country''Aussies are some sort of reserved middle ground. 'Our houses are our islands, you aren't necessarily invited. We'd love to invite you over to our BBQ, but you cant just show up any time. My point is, I think our "unfriendliness" is relative to where you are from.'The anonymous man said he appreciated the responses, though admitted some of the more 'aggressive' replies appeared to reinforce his point. Still, he was willing to reflect on his own role. 'Oh I 100% think I have some part to play in this. No doubt about it. I don't live in a vacuum,' he admitted.The takeaway? Australians may like to think of themselves as 'friendly', but as the debate showed, the reality is often far more complicated.
