International Business : Spotlight on Australia : Aussie Accents May Be Bloody Tough--and Mates, Remember to Sit Up Front

Walk off the plane in Australia and jump into the back seat of a cab, and you may have already made a mistake. A male traveler on his own is expected to sit in the front seat of the cab with the driver. To do otherwise is considered rude in a country noted for its friendliness and casual way of doing business, according to Ann Laschever, spokeswoman for the Australian Tourist Commission in New York.

Other than the accent, adjusting to informality is the main task for business travelers to Australia.

“There is a difference in the way Australian business people approach business--it’s a softer approach,” said Timothy Lynch, executive director of the Australian-American Chamber of Commerce in Los Angeles. “A great deal of (business) is based on who you are, rather like the Japanese in that sense. They’d really like to get to know you before they get to know the product.”

Andrew Lazar, senior manager for Coopers & Lybrand in Los Angeles and a specialist in Australian tax law agreed:

“Start off by talking about anything but business,” he said.

Getting used to the accent or understanding native speech also takes a little practice. But being familiar with some expressions helps. For example, “fair dinkum” means absolutely true, Laschever said. “First cab off the rank” means the first to take advantage of a situation. “Pat Malone” means alone. A “drongo” is a fool and “hard yakka” means hard work.

Australians are fairly patient about repeating or explaining themselves as long as you are pleasant and polite, Lazar said. Once you get accustomed to the accent, it is fairly easy to get around in Australia.

The main business destinations are: Sydney, known for its agricultural manufacturing, glassware, automotive factories, paper and textiles; Melbourne, where many companies are involved in building materials, chemicals, clothing, farm machinery, footwear, autos and textiles; Brisbane, known for its aerated waters, metal products, meat, concrete and timber; Perth, home of manufactured building materials and a prosperous mining center for bauxite, gold, iron ore, nickel, oil and salt, and Adelaide, where wagons, chemicals, electrical goods, iron, steel and cotton are manufactured.

Getting There

A passport, visa and proof of outbound or return transportation are required for entering Australia. Visas take 21 days to arrive by mail and can be obtained by writing the Australian Visa Issuing Office and Consulate in Los Angeles at 611 N. Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles. CA 90004. For more information, call (213) 469-4300.

There are 14 international airports in Australia, but the most common points of entry are at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns.

Qantas and Ansett are the main domestic airlines serving Australia. Qantas has flights leaving Los Angeles at least twice daily, while Ansett departs Los Angeles once a day. United Airlines flies daily to Australia, and Air New Zealand has flights three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Getting Around

The main cab companies in Australia are Taxis Combined, Legion, RSL and Premier Radio Cabs, Laschever said. The drivers do not expect a tip, although some travelers will leave small change. Similarly, there are no service charges at hotels or restaurants, and tipping is not customary. For people who choose to leave a tip, 10% to 12% is common for a waiter.

For travelers who need to rent a car, all the major car companies have offices at Australian airports and rail stations. Hertz, for example, has 190 offices throughout the country. To rent a car, the traveler just needs to be over 21 and have a North American driver’s license. The cost of a car, about $74 a day for a small car and $105 a day for a large car, includes liability and collision insurance.

Australians drive on the left side of the road, and the speed limit in the city is 35 m.p.h. On highways, the speed limit is about 68 m.p.h.

The main hotels for business travelers include Ramada International, Sheraton, Hilton, Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Radisson and Holiday Inn, most of which are equipped with business services, such as additional phone lines, conference rooms, secretarial services and fax and copy machines.

Doing Business

Banking hours are typically from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m Monday through Thursday and until 5 p.m. on Fridays. Some facilities are open Saturdays as well, Laschever said. Banks and hotels will change money, with banks usually giving slightly better rates. Australian currency is on a decimal system, with 100 cents to the Australian dollar (A$).

For those going to rural areas, it’s best to carry cash. Otherwise, traveler’s checks and credit cards, including American Express, Bankcard, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa, are commonly accepted.

In general, Australia has a low crime rate, according to the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs in Washington. But Americans traveling in Australia should be alert for pickpockets, purse snatchers and other petty thieves. Car thefts also occur.

Travelers can receive updated security information by registering at the U.S. Embassy or a consulate when they arrive. The U.S. Consulate General in Sydney is on Level 59, MLC Centre, 19-29 Martin Place, Sydney, NSW 2000. Phone (61-2) 373-9200. The U.S. Consulate General in Melbourne is at 553 St. Kilda Road, P.O. Box 6722, Melbourne, VIC 3004. Phone: (61-3) 526-5900. There are also consulates in Perth and Brisbane.

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Australian Slang

There are thousands of terms unique to Australia that might surprise Americans. here are a few examples that could be heard in business conversation.

Term Translation Aussie Australian Bickie Biscuit Bloody All-purpose adjective; not necessarily profane Bush Countryside; rustic Cuppa Cup of tea Dinkum Fair, honest Fair go A fair, reasonable chance Good on ya! An expression of approval, sometimes ironic Ta Thank you Tall poppy High Achiever Take a punt! Go with it, bet on that! Tucker Food

Source: The Executive Guide to Asia-Pacific Communications, by David L. James. Copyright Kodansha International, 1995.