We’ve all been there before. You’re off in some far-flung corner of the world, enjoying being the only Aussie in a crowded bar or cafe, when all of a sudden you hear THAT accent – your own…
As much as we all like to feel special from time to time, odds are that you’re inevitably going to run into a fellow countryman on your overseas trip – especially as Aussies, who, let’s face it, LOVE to travel.
But what is the social etiquette in such a situation?
Is it socially obligatory for you to spark up a conversation with any Australian you come across, based purely on the fact that you both happen to come from the same part of the world?
Or is it totally fine to just ignore that fact completely, and try as much as you can to avoid having to let it be known that you both hail from the same country?
It’s not an easy question to answer…
For some of us, part of the appeal of travelling is to get away from our normal lives – including other Australians. So the last thing we want to do is hang out with other Aussies, or even start up a conversation with them.
I mean, there are definitely way more interesting people to talk to in NYC or Santiago or Budapest than a couple of Aussies, right?
But then does this mean you need to snub every single Australian you meet, just because you’re in holiday mode?
Well, no, that would be very rude indeed.
Yet at the same time, there’s nothing worse than a forced conversation with someone that, besides both being Australian, may have very little in common with you…
Then of course we can take the other point of view, and respond to this situation in a very – VERY – different way.
For example, we can take the Aussie accent as our cue to introduce ourselves.
Indeed, for some people, the sound of the Australian accent is comforting so far from home, and it’s these folks that will probably approach you as soon as they realise you’re an Aussie. And I can understand where they are coming from too.
After all, you both hold a shared identity and cultural background, and sometimes it’s so nice to meet someone to whom you can confide your frustrations about travelling in a different country.
It’s also definitely nice to be able to talk in your normal speed, and to be able to use your normal slang and still be totally understood.
But should you feel compelled to talk to these people?
I don’t know…
For me, I just don’t like this idea of feeling like you HAVE to talk to someone just because you’re both Australian.
What are your thoughts on meeting other Aussies overseas?