1. It's expensive. A small bottle of coke costs you 3 AUD plus. Small-time American brands become luxury goods here. 2. It's slow. In order to get things done, you need to ask nicely, then get on their behind constantly. 3. Internet is nowhere as available and ubiquitous. All ISPs has usage quota. It's rare to find a cafe offering free wireless. 4. Coffee usually means expresso or expresso-milk combinations. 5. Friendly and outgoing people 6. Business, besides mining, are dominated by American, and to a lesser extent, British MNCs. The Chinese influence is on the rising. 7. Girls on beach are hot, guys like to take shirt off.
My wife and I were just discussing going on vacation to Australia in a few years. I've always wanted to visit an australian desert, and my wife dreamt about Melbourne and now wants to see the city.
Every American I've ever met who had been there absolutely loved it and wants to live there. Every Aussie I've ever met was super duper cool.
I wouldn't say the Simpsons is big here, more that channel 10 has to use it as filler all the time. Obviously there is a lot of American tv content, you will find it is the same for any english speaking country.... more money in the American market means more and eventually better shows. Try watching some ABC... some hidden gems of shows in there and all of them are Australian or British. On your other points I agree our net is crap... you can blame Telstra having a complete monopoly on everything for that, luckily that is soon to change. Surprised you have found it rare for cafe to have free wireless as most of the ones I frequent have it, after visiting the US last year for a few months I would say its pretty much on par with there.
That is because Americans and Aussies are kins, there really are no two peoples on the face of this earth that are more alike. I think that is why most Americans find themselves very comfortable there, it is a familiar zone.
