I’m French – and NOTHING prepared me for the huge and unusual Australian culture shocks I’d face during my first visit Down Under

A French tourist has revealed the biggest culture shocks she experienced while travelling in Australia – and her observations have struck a chord with locals who say it perfectly captures the local way of life.

The visitor said she was surprised by how different everyday interactions felt compared to those in France, from the way strangers speak to each other to what time people eat dinner.

‘One of the first things I noticed is that Australians smile at you,’ she wrote on Reddit.

‘People make comments and start conversations without hesitation. In France, I’m used to strangers avoiding eye contact.’

That openness was something many Australians immediately recognised in themselves.

Several pointed out the national habit of chatting to complete strangers – whether it’s commenting on the weather, a long queue, or a shared inconvenience.

‘If we’re in a long line we’ll just turn to the person next to us and say, ‘Bit of a line, ay?’ one said. 

‘Ever since someone pointed it out to me, I notice it everywhere.’

The tourist also said she felt safer while travelling around Australia, explaining she did not constantly check her bag or surroundings – something she said was second nature in parts of France, particularly Paris. 

In the comments, Australians who had travelled overseas agreed the contrast was real.

One said a Parisian waitress once gently warned them not to leave their phone on the table at an outdoor café, joking she ‘didn’t have the energy to chase after a thief today’.

Another major shock was Australians’ relaxed attitude toward time.

‘Things feel less rushed. Being a little late doesn’t carry the same stress as in France.’

Australians were quick to tease that point, with some saying the French reputation for lateness was well-earned.

‘I have never met a nation so unbothered by being late as the French,’ one joked.

Dinner time, however, was where the cultural divide became impossible to ignore.

‘Australians tend to eat dinner quite early, around 6 or 7pm. In France, we usually have dinner around 9, sometimes even 10pm,’ she wrote. 

Australians were unapologetic.

’10pm? We’d be less kind if we waited until then for dinner,’ one person replied.

‘If someone invited me to dinner at 9pm I just wouldn’t show up. That’s my bedtime,’ another added.

Others explained that early dinners fit neatly into Australia’s lifestyle, which often starts early in the morning.

‘Wake up at 5 or 6am to go to the beach, work out, and have a sit-down coffee before work. There’s no point eating at 9pm if you’re going to bed at 10.’

The tourist also noticed how freely Australian women dress, saying very short shorts and low-cut tops felt normal and widely accepted – something she said would attract more judgement in France.

She was equally struck by the casual fashion overall, admitting she was surprised to see people wearing activewear everywhere, including supermarkets and restaurants.

‘At first it felt unusual, but I later understood it as part of the relaxed lifestyle,’ she wrote.

The country’s natural environment left a lasting impression too. Australia’s beaches, she said, felt ‘clean, wide and peaceful’, with an openness that made them feel less crowded and more accessible.

But she did note what Australia lacks compared to Europe.

‘I noticed less history and art. Australia is a young country, while in France almost every street has history and culture.’

The climate, however, was a trade-off she was more than happy to accept.

‘The heat is no joke,’ she admitted.

‘It took me about three days to adjust, but the sunshine is beautiful. In France, the weather often feels quite gloomy.’

Perhaps most surprising of all was how patient Australians were with her accent.

‘My English accent isn’t very strong, but people were very patient. They spoke more slowly, tried to help, and made sure I understood. In France, people are very protective of the language and don’t like words being pronounced incorrectly.’

At the end of her post, the tourist asked Australians whether her impressions rang true – or whether she’d simply experienced the country through a tourist’s lens.

Many locals reassured her it wasn’t just a holiday illusion.

‘As an Australian who’s been to France,’ one wrote, ‘the majority of this is spot on.’

Others noted that while every country has its quirks, Australia’s early dinners, casual clothes and chatty nature are all part of a lifestyle built around sunshine, outdoor living, and a slightly more relaxed approach to daily life.

And if there was one takeaway Australians seemed happiest to stand by, it was this: dinner will never be at 10pm – and activewear is absolutely acceptable, anywhere.