General

It may be impolite for an outsider to remark on Australia's history as a penal colony. The vast majority immigrants to Australia have been free immigrants.

Compared to many people from the UK and US, Australians may be more casual in various social situations. Those who resist this attitude may be viewed as snobbish^{[citation needed]}.

Although viewed as a homogeneous society (70% Anglo-Celtic of predominantly English/Anglo-British origin)^[9], there is more acknowledgement of the country's growing ethnic/racial diversity.

Making jokes at another's expense or "taking the piss" is common in Australian society and is often a bonding process. However, it is frowned upon and considered cowardly to make jokes in the absence of the subject. Contrary to many other countries, Australians will generally wait until the subject is present before making derogatory jokes. For example, when an Australian meets a New Zealander on holiday, they may ask if they brought velcro gloves in order to get a better grip on those Australian sheep.^[10]

Language

In informal situations some language that might be considered foul or offensive in other cultures may be used to convey different things. However it is considered rude and offensive to behave in this manner in front of children and women especially in rural areas.

"Indigenous Australian" and "Aboriginal/Aborigine" are polite terms, also regional/state preferences such as "Koori" are also acceptable as long the person in question and you both consider each other friends. Aboriginal/Aborigine refers to Indigenous people from the mainland, the Torres Strait Islanders are a separate group with their own cultural traditions. "Abo", "Coon", "Gin" and "Boong" or "Boonga" are all considered offensive and unacceptable in formal conversation when describing Aborigines but are often used in casual conversations even when one of the participants is of Indigenous descent, though this is often frowned upon. "Aboriginal" is now used only as an adjective, although older documents may still use it as a noun (eg, "Aboriginals"). Note that the words "Coon" and "Gin" are not always considered offensive in other contexts - the former being a popular brand of cheese and the latter a common drink. The politest option is to simply avoid the issue of race.

State/ regional preferences for specific names for groups of Indigenous Australians have also arisen in recent years: The term Koori (or Koorie) in New South Wales or Victoria. Those fromQueensland use the term Murri (pronounced the same as "Murray"). Nunga is used in most of South Australia. Noongar is used in southern Western Australia. Anangu is used in northern South Australia, and neighbouring parts of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Palawah is used in Tasmania. However, there were over 200 different languages at the time of European settlement, which means these terms are very specific.

Tipping

Tipping is not usually expected and some employees may not understand the gesture. Some employees are forbidden from accepting gratuities (this is mainly in positions of authority e.g. in a casino one cannot tip the dealer or a security guard; however, this would not apply in a formal restaurant situation) and tipping face-to-face can create an awkward situation. However, it is appropriate to add a tip to restaurant bills if the service has been especially good. It is also acceptable to suggest that taxi drivers or waiters "keep the change", especially if the difference is small. Tips may be as large or as small as you feel appropriate. Where tip jars are provided, they are mostly used for loose change or coins.

Ethnic issues

Although those of Middle Eastern, Italian, Slavic or Greek descent may make flippant use of terms such as 'Leb' or wog (as in recent film "The Wog Boy"), as well on television comedies Acropolisand Kingswood Country) others should be wary of using what might still be received as a serious ethnic slur. The alternative term "New Australian" is becoming ridiculed, and never was the preferred term among ethnic groups. It may be used with permission between very good friends of differing ethnic backgrounds but is considered to be offensive term to use towards any other person or in a formal setting.

Indigenous Australians

Amongst Indigenous Australians, it can be taboo to refer to deceased Indigenous Australians by name, or through use of images.^[11] Individuals with the same names are then expected to change their name, as not to use the name of the deceased.

Within some Indigenous Australian cultures, it is considered taboo for mother-in-law and son-in-law to interact on any level, this includes being within the same building or room at any time.

In some cases, within Indigenous Australian cultures, it is considered rude or threatening to look another individual in the eye when interacting.