Business and Social Etiquette 101: A Look Down Under

Australia is the only "continent country" in this world. It has six states and two territories, with New South Wales (NSW) as the most populated state. The country also has three time zones, Eastern, Central, and Western. A country that originated from British rule, Aussies today, still pay respects to their Queen. Indeed, visitors can find many similarities between Britain and Australia, with perhaps a more relaxed atmosphere in the land down under. This Westernized country was comprised of Aborigines, British and Irish people. After World War II, a huge Western European population immigrated to Australia. Then in the 1970's, more immigrants arrived from South-East Asia. Thus, Australia today, has a more heterogeneous population.

Australia, located in the Southern hemisphere, is on the other side of the world. They do things differently down under. Christmas is in the summer season. And the school year starts in January (like Britain). Aside from their national holidays listed below, salaried Australian workers enjoy four weeks vacation. Their holidays are the following:

January 1: New Years' Day; January 26: Australia Day, first landing in Australia in 1788; Easter: same as America; April 25: ANZAC Day, much like U.S.'s Memorial Day; Second Monday in June: Queen's birthday holiday; First Tuesday in November: Melbourne Cup Day (celebrated in Victoria only); December 25: Christmas Day; and December 26: Boxing Day.

Individual states have much say in their holidays. Labour Day is observed on different dates by different States. And some states have additional holidays that are not listed in this article. As individual states choose whether or not to celebrate the holiday, Western Australia, does not observe the Queen's birthday, but rather observes Foundation Day, which is a week earlier. Expect stores to close on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, ANZAC Day and Christmas Day.