Are you breaking this unspoken Aussie rule without even realizing it? Many residents are fed up!
- Replies 12
There are a few things that make Australia truly unique: the love of a good cuppa, the way Aussies can spot a magpie from a mile away, and, of course, the unspoken rules that every Aussie is just supposed to know.
But as it turns out, one of the most sacred of these 'bush laws' is being ignored—and rural residents are absolutely fuming!
We’re talking about the age-old rule of the gate: if you find it open, leave it open; if you find it closed, close it behind you. Simple, right? You’d think so, but apparently, not everyone got the memo.
A recent online rant has struck a chord with Aussies everywhere, with one rural property owner taking to social media to vent their frustration after someone left their gate open—despite it being firmly shut when they arrived.
‘If you drive into a property and their gate is shut, f***** shut it after you come in! If you’re picking up free furniture off Gumtree and you’ve been told to shut the… gate then…SHUT THE GATE!’ they wrote. The post quickly went viral.
The result? ‘I just spent an hour out in the rain looking for my golden retriever and ruined my brand new Ugg boots in the process. I thought the gate thing was widely understood in this country, but apparently some people need a stern reminder.’ they said.
Also read: Have good manners vanished from public transport? This photo has Aussies debating
Thankfully, the dog is fine, and the original post said that, ‘I caught her in the neighbours driveway going after a rabbit. And I wore my Ugg boots out in the rain because I didn’t have time to think about my footwear when my pet’s life was potentially in danger.’
Hundreds of fellow Aussies chimed in, echoing the sentiment: 'It’s bush law!' and 'Leave gates as you found them!' rang out in the comments.
Another person shared: ‘I hate people who don't shut the gate. I've had a number of people who've been playing with my dogs in the front yard, open the gate, and leave it open. The dogs (of course) run away, and they don't do anything to help.’
It’s not just about animals, either. Open gates can lead to unauthorised access, property damage, and even legal headaches. In fact, some councils have had to step in and introduce fines for those who can’t follow this simple rule.
Take Coonamble Shire Council, for example: if you open a public gate and don’t close it immediately, you could be hit with a penalty of up to 10 units—and be liable for any damage that results, according to the Coonamble Shire Council.
And it’s not just a rural issue. City dwellers, take note: the same rule applies in suburban homes, day care centres, restaurants, and cafes. It’s all about respect for other people’s property and a bit of good old-fashioned Aussie courtesy.
What’s really fascinating is how deeply ingrained this rule is in our culture. One commenter shared that even their 14-year-old stepson knew the rule instinctively, without ever being told.
'If a 14-year-old can have that common sense, so can everyone else,' they wrote. It’s a rite of passage, a bit of bush wisdom passed down through generations—except, it seems, to a few forgetful visitors.
The Gates and Stock Grids on Public Roads policy, available online, explains that the rule exists to protect both residents and livestock, while also helping to prevent problems such as unauthorised entry or damage to neighbouring properties.
Read next: Queen caught on camera mimicking Trump speech style in viral summit moment
Have you ever had a run-in with a gate-leaver, or maybe a close call with a wandering pet or livestock? Do you think this 'unspoken agreement' is still alive and well, or is it time for a refresher course in Aussie etiquette? Share your stories and thoughts in the comments below!
But as it turns out, one of the most sacred of these 'bush laws' is being ignored—and rural residents are absolutely fuming!
We’re talking about the age-old rule of the gate: if you find it open, leave it open; if you find it closed, close it behind you. Simple, right? You’d think so, but apparently, not everyone got the memo.
A recent online rant has struck a chord with Aussies everywhere, with one rural property owner taking to social media to vent their frustration after someone left their gate open—despite it being firmly shut when they arrived.
Rural Aussies are fed up with people ignoring the unspoken rule to leave gates as you found them—open or shut—when visiting properties. Image source: Waldemar / Unsplash.
‘If you drive into a property and their gate is shut, f***** shut it after you come in! If you’re picking up free furniture off Gumtree and you’ve been told to shut the… gate then…SHUT THE GATE!’ they wrote. The post quickly went viral.
The result? ‘I just spent an hour out in the rain looking for my golden retriever and ruined my brand new Ugg boots in the process. I thought the gate thing was widely understood in this country, but apparently some people need a stern reminder.’ they said.
Also read: Have good manners vanished from public transport? This photo has Aussies debating
Thankfully, the dog is fine, and the original post said that, ‘I caught her in the neighbours driveway going after a rabbit. And I wore my Ugg boots out in the rain because I didn’t have time to think about my footwear when my pet’s life was potentially in danger.’
Hundreds of fellow Aussies chimed in, echoing the sentiment: 'It’s bush law!' and 'Leave gates as you found them!' rang out in the comments.
Another person shared: ‘I hate people who don't shut the gate. I've had a number of people who've been playing with my dogs in the front yard, open the gate, and leave it open. The dogs (of course) run away, and they don't do anything to help.’
It’s not just about animals, either. Open gates can lead to unauthorised access, property damage, and even legal headaches. In fact, some councils have had to step in and introduce fines for those who can’t follow this simple rule.
Take Coonamble Shire Council, for example: if you open a public gate and don’t close it immediately, you could be hit with a penalty of up to 10 units—and be liable for any damage that results, according to the Coonamble Shire Council.
And it’s not just a rural issue. City dwellers, take note: the same rule applies in suburban homes, day care centres, restaurants, and cafes. It’s all about respect for other people’s property and a bit of good old-fashioned Aussie courtesy.
What’s really fascinating is how deeply ingrained this rule is in our culture. One commenter shared that even their 14-year-old stepson knew the rule instinctively, without ever being told.
'If a 14-year-old can have that common sense, so can everyone else,' they wrote. It’s a rite of passage, a bit of bush wisdom passed down through generations—except, it seems, to a few forgetful visitors.
The Gates and Stock Grids on Public Roads policy, available online, explains that the rule exists to protect both residents and livestock, while also helping to prevent problems such as unauthorised entry or damage to neighbouring properties.
Read next: Queen caught on camera mimicking Trump speech style in viral summit moment
Have you ever had a run-in with a gate-leaver, or maybe a close call with a wandering pet or livestock? Do you think this 'unspoken agreement' is still alive and well, or is it time for a refresher course in Aussie etiquette? Share your stories and thoughts in the comments below!
.png){kind=icon}
