Table manners in Australia are Continental, meaning that the fork goes in the left hand and the knife goes in the right. In some cultures, it is considered polite to leave a little food on your plate, but Australia is not one of those cultures. Feel free to finish your meal.
With so many table manners to keep track, keep these basic, but oh-so-important, table manners in mind as you eat: Chew with your mouth closed. Keep your smartphone off the table and set to silent or vibrate. Wait to check calls and texts until you are finished with the meal and away from the table.
Australian customs & etiquette basics
Greetings: Shake hands, say hello or introduce yourself. It's common and perfectly polite to address people by their first names (even your boss or people older than you). People often call each other “mate”.
The forks should be placed to the left of the plate, with the salad fork on the outside. The dinner fork sits besides it, next to the dinner plate. The knife should go to the right of the dinner plate, with the blade facing in. If soup is being served, the soup spoon sits next to the knife, on the outside.
The rule of law limits the powers of governments, businesses and citizens, and protects citizens against the use of arbitrary power – autocratic decisions not based on law. The rule of law is a key feature of Australia's democracy.
Aussies pride themselves on being good friends and neighbours, and not just to people they know. They tend to greet everyone from the mail carrier to the cab driver with a “g'day” or “how ya going?”. For Australians, this emphasis on mateship creates a cheery, welcoming attitude, and one that says anyone can be a mate.
It is impolite to have your elbows on the table while you are eating. Don't reach over someone's plate for something, ask for the item to be passed. Never talk with food in your mouth. It is impolite to put too much food in your mouth.
Table Manners Tip #10. - Don't Drink with a Full Mouth. To avoid leaving food on the rim of the vessel, make sure the mouth is free of food and blot the lips with a napkin before taking a sip of a beverage.
Tipping is for good service, although inveterate tippers would argue it's for “good enough” service. While in the US tipping in the order of 15% to 20% is standard, the rough rule of thumb in Australia is 10%, although 5% will probably do in a cafe.
(And yes, we call it the 'bill', not the 'check'.) “To Australians, presenting the bill before it's requested is deemed as pushy and presumptuous,” says Denis Lucey, co-owner of Bottega in Melbourne. “We don't want you to feel like we're pushing you out.” A 10 percent tip is the standard.
Chewing open-mouthed (including chewing gum), slurping loudly, burping and talking with a full mouth are considered very rude. If you do any of these things accidentally, say "pardon me" or "excuse me." It is considered bad manners to pick one's teeth with the fingers or a toothpick in public.
Do Not Boast Or Act Haughty. While Australia is an international hub for business, tourism and wealth, it is not polite to be boastful or act haughtily. No one likes someone who blows their own trumpet and acts obnoxious and Australia is a society that values modesty, hard work and humility.
It surely sounds strange to those who are familiar with American or British English, but it is a very common expression in Australia. G'day is a shortened form of 'Good Day' and it is the equivalent of 'Hello.
This fact sheet introduces the different types of law that govern Australia – statute law made by parliament, delegated law made by government and common law made by courts.
Australian values based on freedom, respect, fairness and equality of opportunity are central to our community remaining a secure, prosperous and peaceful place to live. Our values define and shape our country and they are a reason why so many people want to become Australian citizens.
Don't talk with your mouth full.
Most people will agree that talking while chewing is the number one no-no at the dinner table. Not only is it difficult to understand what is being said, but it can also be unappetizing.
Teaching toddlers and preschoolers about table manners will allow them to show respect and appreciation during meals (and in other situations), and it will help them show that the others at the table are important. Table manners and etiquette are important social skills that your child will use as they grow up.