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Melbourne Local Customs
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Melbourne Local Customs

Learn the local customs of Melbourne. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Melbourne locals.
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Best Snag in town!
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  • ATXtraveler
  • By ATXtraveler on June 19, 2005
  • Melbourne Page by ATXtraveler
  • Jarrod the Snag Dealer - Melbourne
    Jarrod the Snag Dealer
    by ATXtraveler
    The Australian Lingo is definitely something you will have to pick up on as you enjoy your time in Melbourne. One thing you need to make sure is to not turn down a man's snag, as it is his way of saying you are welcome here!

    While at the MCG, you can enjoy snags from our own local vendor Jarrod! One of my co-workers bring his whole family to the footy, and therefore also needs to bring his own lunch, so he is not eaten out of house and home! A Thermos is the perfect heater for Australian Hot Dogs, or Snags as they are called here!

    So get out there and enjoy a Snag!

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    Try to get a bad cup of Coffee!
  • Tip Rating:
  • ATXtraveler
  • By ATXtraveler on June 19, 2005
  • Melbourne Page by ATXtraveler
  • Great Cup of Joe! - Melbourne
    Great Cup of Joe!
    by ATXtraveler
    I really dare anyone to find a bad cup of coffee anywhere in Melbourne!

    Even in the middle of the Queen Victoria Market, the street vendor style coffee baristas will serve up a wonderful cup of joe!

    My personal preference is for the Flat White (Expresso with steamed milk), but there are plenty of different ways to make it!

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    Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival
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  • eviltooth
  • Updated By eviltooth on November 15, 2003
  • Melbourne Page by eviltooth
  • Pig can fly - Melbourne
    Pig can fly
    by eviltooth
    In the spring of 1895 Mark Twain visited Melbourne at just the right time - Melbourne Cup week. Even then, it seems, it was the highlight of the city's social calendar.

    "The Melbourne Cup is the Australian National Day," he wrote. "It would be difficult to overstate its importance. It overshadows all other holidays...Overshadows them? I might almost say it blots them out. Cup Day, and Cup Day only, commands an attention, an interest, and an enthusiasm that are universal - and spontaneous, not perfunctory. Cup Day is supreme. It has no rival."

    Except, perhaps for Fashions on the Field at the Caufield Cup, or Oaks "Ladies" Day at Flemington, or Victoria Derby "Blokes" Day.

    Yes, the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival is full of fabulous excuses to show off that hat you wear but once a year, and that gambling streak in you let loose for the race that stops the nation. And it's great time to celebrate the one major sporting event that doesn't involve kicking, pushing, showing or obscene language - well, not much...

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    Don't "root" for a team...
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  • grkboiler
  • By grkboiler on January 29, 2004
  • Melbourne Page by grkboiler
  • In Australia, when you are talking about sports and which teams you support, PLEASE remember that you do not "root" for a team, you "barrack" for a team. When you "root" for a team, it means you are having sex with them (or for them, I guess), as in "I rooted her."

    If you want to play a joke on someone you are traveling with, don't tell them what "root" means in Australia and get them into a deep conversation on sports with a native. Then just sit back and wait for the laughs.

    Remember (as an example): You don't root for Collingwood, you barrack for them.

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    Melbourne Bitter Beer
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  • ATXtraveler
  • By ATXtraveler on July 10, 2005
  • Melbourne Page by ATXtraveler
  • Melbourne Bitter - Melbourne
    Melbourne Bitter
    by ATXtraveler
    As many of you have seen on my other pages, I like to give a little credit to the hometown brews available.

    In Melbourne, you will enjoy many different drinks, but one I tried today was Melbourne Bitter. This drink seems mysteriously close to Victoria Bitter, and that is because they are from the same brewery.

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    Tipping
  • Tip Rating:
  • grkboiler
  • By grkboiler on January 30, 2004
  • Melbourne Page by grkboiler
  • Tipping isn't really expected anywhere in Australia. If you do tip, it will most likely be for great service in a nice restaurant. 10-15% is good.

    If you come from a society that tips 15-20% like mine, it is not easy to get used to not tipping someone. If you decide a tip is deserved, just go with your instinct about how the service was or the type of place you are at.

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    Going to the Footy
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  • michelletrex
  • Updated By michelletrex on March 26, 2003
  • Melbourne Page by michelletrex
  • Aussy Rules Footy - Melbourne
    Aussy Rules Footy
    by michelletrex
    It is very important that all visitors to Melbourne know what Aussie Rules Football is and what team they follow. If you need to research look at www.afl.com.au. A quick tip, don't pick Collingwood as it tends to envoke hostiltiy among the natives. You can however refer to Eddy McGuire in every conversation as most natives will know this bloke.
    PS Bloke means man and Shelia means woman.

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  • Website: www.afl.com.au
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    Dont tip unless you want to
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  • By dutyfree on March 15, 2006
  • Melbourne Page by dutyfree
  • Melbourne does not require people to tip for services... Our wages are reasonable and only tip if you feel you want to.. You will get the same service and employees are not going to treat you like a leper like some parts of the world, and you know who you are lol

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    Business Fashion or Reservoir Dogs Audition?
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  • ATXtraveler
  • By ATXtraveler on January 14, 2006
  • Melbourne Page by ATXtraveler
  • Melbourne Local Customs
    by ATXtraveler
    One of the major changes in attitude that I faced moving from Austin, TX to Melbourne is the difference in business fashion. People have mentioned to me that Melbourne itself is so much more formal than any city in Australia, and you can definitely tell just by the time and effort people put into their business attire. My first week here, I actually thought it was like a big movie set, where they were filming a sequel to the 1992 dark movie by Quentin Tarrentino 'Reservoir Dogs'.

    Recently I took a quick snapshot of a few of my co-workers walking down the street....sure enough, it looks just like the cover of the movie!

    Don't believe me... click on the link!!

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    EAT
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  • sirgaw
  • Updated By sirgaw on June 29, 2008
  • Melbourne Page by sirgaw
  • Melbourne Local Customs
    by sirgaw, 1 more photos
    If you watch a local at sometime they'll be heading off to a park with a pick-nic basket, hamper and almost certainly an Esky (cooler). There will be meat and sangers (sausages) packed away along with cutlery, plates and tongs - but they won'tneed to pack a BBQ as most of the parks in and around Melbourne have electrically operated and FREE (yes I did say free) BBQ's

    The kids will be in tow, there will be a cricket set or a footy and maybe even a frisby. The dog will almost certainly be coming along and no doubt will get his fair share of sausages.

    OK that's the locals - what about visitors. Stock up at a local supermarket and head for the local parks for an el fresco meal - enjoy.

    BBQ photographed is at Ruffey Creek park in Doncaster with a nearby bridge that spans the creek and part of the walking trails within the park.

    Web site below is for Albert Park, however check with local councils for parks in the area, or check the Melway Street Directory.

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