How you would recognize the difference in societal culture of Australia from other countries?
The basic rules of Australian social etiquette do not relate to how a fork should be held, or who should be served first at a dinner table. Instead, most of Australia's rules relate to expressing equality.
Basically, as long as you appreciate that Australians want to be treated as equal irrespective of their social, racial or financial background, anything is acceptable.
Displays of wealth may be seen as signs of superiority and frowned upon accordingly. Likewise, the acceptance of generosity may be seen as a sign of bludging or inferiority and may be frowned upon
Egalitarianism
In myth, Australia is a country where people are assessed on the content of their character rather than the colour of their skin, economic background or job.
A salient example of the myth can be seen in Melbourne's Section 8 bar. Located in an alley in the middle of Melbourne's CBD, Section 8 uses packing crates as seats. The toilets are made out of shipping containers and the bar is just enclosed with a fence. Section 8 attracts rich businessmen, Japanese tourists, struggling artists and even homeless people. It is deliberately designed to be unpretentious. As a result, it attracts people from all walks of life that want to mingle with someone different from themselves.
Splitting the bill at a restaurant
In most Asian countries, if a group of friends go out for dinner, the wealthiest member of a dining party may offer to pay for the entire meal. Furthermore, if a man and woman go to dinner, irrespective of whether they are friends or lovers, the man will usually pay. In Australia, if a group of friends go to a restaurant, the bill will be split amongst all the diners. It is unlikely that one individual will feel an obligation to pay for others. Nor do any of the other members of the dining party want to be paid for. To accept the generosity may evoke feelings of shame that one is a bludger. In business, these rules are bent a little as a bill may be picked up as a way of fostering "good relations."
Mateship
People in all countries have friends, but arguably no country lionizes mateship to the same degree as does Australia. An Australian's lionization of mateship is particularly evident in the way mateship is celebrated in ANZAC Day services.
Anzac Day, 25 April, is one of Australia’s most important national occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.
ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as Anzacs, and the pride they took in that name endures to this day.
Whereas most countries use their military day to affirm all that is good and just about their nation, Australians use their military day to remember the character of those who died in war.
In many respects, mates in Australia serve the role that family serves in other countries. Mates can be relied upon in times of need and will stand by you through the good times and the bad.
Perhaps the importance that Australia places on mateship can be attributed to its history as an immigrant nation. Convicts, orphans, prostitutes and lone individuals came to Australia without families. Consequently, their friends substituted for their lack of a family network.
Another explanation is that it came from the hardships of the first century. It has long been known in psychological circles that social bonding coincides with extreme difficulty. Consequently, the hardships endured by Convicts and farmers caused them to feel a great sense of reliance upon each other.
A final explanation is that it stems from Australia's wars being fought on foreign territory. Contrasted to Australia, most other countries have suffered battles on home territory.
Taking the piss
In Australia, people don't like people making jokes about groups that they are not part of. If they hear a joke about a different group, instead of laughing, they may get angry and call the joke teller a bigot.
"Taking the piss" is the term given to making a joke about someone or an ethnic group, when that person or ethnic group is present. Australians seem fonder of using derogatory jokes when the victim of the joke is present.
Targets of a piss-take are expected to reply in kind. An insulting joke in return often increases an Australian's appreciation for you.
If you are offended by an Australian taking the piss, it is best to smile and change the topic. Showing the joke hurt your feelings may simply increase the motivation of the Australian to keep saying the joke. Getting angrier and threatening violence may simply result in the Australian taking you up on your offer.
Honesty
Australians value honesty. It is acceptable to be dishonest to pull someone's leg or play a joke, but on serious issues, honesty is the best policy.
This is reflected in the creation of sayings such as:
"poor but honest", "fair dinkum", "honest toiler", "honesty of substance", "having an honest crack."
It is also reflected in the dislike of "the big end of town" which is often seen to be corrupt.
Many Australians are quite cynical and almost seem to presume strangers to be guilty until they prove themselves otherwise.
Aside from being distrustful of individuals, Australians may be distrustful of spin doctoring. Spin doctor is a spokesperson employed to give a favorable interpretation of events to the media, especially on behalf of a political party.
In 2004, a Quantum/AustraliaSCAN survey found that only four per cent had much confidence in consumer information from major companies. Such figures indicate that a lot of companies are wasting money on the public relations, as Australians simply do not believe them.
Seek and express empathy, not sympathy
In America, some celebrities talk about the fact they are seeing a counsellor or psychiatrist as a kind of status symbol. In Australia, an ethic of "no worries" reins.
Irrespective of whether they have just lost two legs in a car accident or their business has just collapsed, many Australians try to maintain a facade of cheerfulness.
The reasons for no worries mantra is best understood by appreciating that Australia was built by victims. After World War II, Australia became a new home for war, political and economic refugees. As victims, these groups did not want sympathy from others, nor were they prepared to give it to others.
Put your best foot forward
If you are teased, you are expected to reply in kind, with good humor. Such self-confidence will increase an Australian's respect for you. They do not admire a subservient attitude.
Public behavior
Australians are very difficult to impress; even if you do manage to impress them, they may not openly admit it.
Australian business culture > Fashion
Don't arrive in town wearing the latest status symbol to announce how important you think you are.
Reference: http://www.convictcreations.com/culture/socialrules.htm