A British expat has advised fellow tourists of the three things they should “never do” while in Australia.
Since relocating to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Jordana Grace, has quickly learned of the things you shouldn’t do in the land Down Under.
The radio host on Queensland’s 92.7 Mix FM, took to her Instagram to reveal the three don’ts – complaining about the heat, asking where the nearest Starbucks is and swimming outside the flags.
“We all know Australia’s hot. But if you’re a tourist and all you’ve done is come here and complain about the heat it’s not going to go down well,” she told her 57,400 followers.
“Just ignore the boob sweat, smile and carry on.”
She jokingly recommended hanging out in the freezer aisle at supermarkets if you’re feeling really hot.
Knowing how much Aussies pride themselves on their coffee, Jordana, who goes by the handle ‘That British Girl’, warned tourists about asking where they can find a Starbucks.
“Australia invented the beloved flat white, don’t disrespect the great coffee culture here by basically asking for sugar dirt water,” the comedian joked.
Instead, she advised fellow expats to ask an Aussie local where to nab a great cuppa.
Finally, she said if you don’t want to get yelled at, don’t swim outside the flags.
“The sea in Australia is a beautiful beast, it’s gorgeous but the people that get into the most trouble are tourists,” she said.
“The lifeguards aren’t just there to be pretty, they are there to help you swim safely. So swim between the flags because you don’t want them yelling at you.”
Jordana’s video has been viewed almost 100,000 times with many Aussie’s siding with her advice.
“All great tips – read them, observe them, take note of them and Obey them,” one person wrote.
“But seriously, don’t go into the water at unpatrolled beaches. Half of all drownings in Australia are tourists. People just do not appreciate the dangers of the surf,” said another.
A third person joked that “only the locals are allowed to say ‘it’s too bloody hot’.”
Meanwhile, another agreed about the coffee.
“Very accurate! Why would you drink Starbucks when you can have a little taste of Heaven from anywhere else?!” they said.
Some contested Jordana’s statement that the flat white was invented in Australia. “I believe the flat white was actually invented in New Zealand,” one woman said.
The original origin of the flat white has been a long-running dispute between Aussies and Kiwis which dates back to the 1980s – with both countries taking credit for creating the caffeinated beverage.
Barista Alan Preston claims cafes in Queensland offered several versions of coffee with milk, one which was called ‘flat’. He says he originally created the popular drink when he put the term ‘flat white’ on the menu at his cafe – Moors Espresso Bar in Sydney – in 1985.
The New Zealand version of the legend dates back to 1989 when Kiwi barista Fraser McInnes claims he created the flat white after a customer ordered a cappuccino at his cafe in Wellington but when he went to steam the milk, there wasn’t enough fat to make the coffee froth.
As he handed over the deflated drink, he apologised to the customer by saying sorry for the “flat white”.