What are weird traditions of Australia?

Answer 1

Australia is a multicultural society which is a mixture of many religions and customs.

However, unique to Australia are the Aboriginal ceremonies, corroborees and Dreamtime stories. Australia's history is also built on stories of the hard working men and women of the Bush and the Outback. Stockmen - jackaroos and jilleroos - are the stuff that Australian legends of heroism are built upon. Their influence is still seen in the popular wearing of wide-brimmed hats when outdoors, and in the popularity of tourist attractions such as the Stockman's Hall of Fame at Longreach.

Traditionally, and some customs which continue in many quarters of Australia today, Australian customs (which have largely stemmed from the United Kingdom) include the concept of eating three meals a day, where at dinner time the whole family attends the meal together. Even today, in more homes than not, the meal is more often cooked by the women in the home than the men. In many homes and in restaurants, the table is set in a certain manner, with knives and spoons to the right of the main plate and the fork to the left; usually there are also drinks or water provided, and the bread plate is on the left.

These form the main eating utensils in Australian homes. Many like to have a drink of tea, coffee or Hot Chocolate following the meal or as a snack between meals.

As in most countries, religious observers may also have a blessing on the meal prior to eating and together before bedtime. This, of course, differs from religion to religion and place to place, but has been and remains common in many quarters.

Further, Australians generally sit on chairs in their homes and at the meal table. It is traditionally considered 'bad manners' and unthoughtful to be putting feet up on other furniture in the home. It is also becoming increasingly customary for Australians of many backgrounds to take off their shoes when entering their home or in a host's house or at some guest house. Smoking is also becoming more and more discouraged - especially in public places, where laws now apply as reinforcement. Also, except in restaurants and hotel bars, very few people drink alcohol in public places now as opposed to some decades ago.

Although nothing is a 'hard and fast rule', it remains common practice for many couples to 'go out' for a date on Friday or Saturday evenings. Common such outings included the theatre, the movies, dining out, dancing, music concerts or just a nice quiet place.

It is also becoming quite customary for mothers or fathers to pick their children up from school each day - especially at primary levels; though many are being picked up from high schools as well these days.

Another custom is that people line up in queues to be served in turn at almost every public place, although I might imagine this practice might be common in many places worldwide.

It is also the common practice that most Australians (other than that necessary for 'shift workers') perform their work, where they can, from 9am to 5pm or some time between 8am and 6pm with an hour or less for a lunch period near the middle - no siesta periods, etc.

Australians also drive on the left hand side of the roads, with some streets being marked as "ONE WAY" streets in major cities.

Sports and outdoor activities of various kinds are a major part of life for much of traditional Australia.

In summer, customary favourite past times include cricket, water sports and recreation, picnics, hiking, biking or tennis, mostly. Many just like to relax on sofas or in front of the TV under a fan, as many places are very hot in Australian summers.

Favourite winter games include various football codes (mostly for the men, though not solely), netball for the women and Basketball and hockey for both sexes.

Of course, each activity has its own unique customary 'Australian' codes. Although formal sports club meets or competitions traditionally take place on Saturdays and (to a lesser degree) Sundays, with the advent of modern amenities, potential indoor sports are more regularly occurring after regular work times during the week as well now.

Answer 2

aparently, they say that if you drop salt then you have to take a pinch and throw it over your left shoulder, or yiou get bad luck.

also, never open an umbrella indoors or you get bad luck :)

Answer 3

* yabby racing * crab racing * toad racing * "chucking a prawn on the barbie"