‘I thought it was a joke at first.’ American expat shocked by ‘normal’ Australian behaviour

We Aussies like to think of ourselves as laid-back – and for the most part, we are! We’re a friendly bunch who are quick to welcome newcomers into our social groups. But one thing that might come as a bit of a shock to foreigners is just how openly ‘vulnerable’ we can be with each other. This was certainly the case for one American woman who recently moved Down Under.


Brit, an expat from the US, moved to Sydney earlier this year and said she was surprised by how physically affectionate Australians are with each other. In particular, she was struck by how unafraid Aussie men are of hugging or sharing their feelings with each other.

In a video posted on TikTok, Brit explained: ‘Australians are so physically affectionate… Like they just want to touch each other.’ Brit then says she was shocked to see Australian men hugging each other. ‘Everyone’s like “Woah, men showing affection” – they’re all like that.'

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Brit expressed her shock when she learned about the term ‘D and M’. Credit: Daily Mail.

Brit’s bewilderment only grew when her Aussie boyfriend got sunburnt all over his body, and he told her he was worried about his male friends and co-workers hugging or pushing him around. 'I was like “At work? Can you imagine in America if a bunch of dudes were touching each other at work? F***ing lawsuits left and right!’ She remarked.

‘Here though everybody's hugging me [and] everybody's touching me – they just love touching each other,' Brit said as she ended the video.


In a separate TikTok, Brit said she thinks Australians – in general – are more vulnerable with other people. ‘For example,’ she started, ‘There’s an Australian thing, I think it’s Australian, where you say “Oh, we were just having a D and M”, which is a deep and meaningful conversation.’ Brit smiles as she explains she thought that was the cutest thing ever.

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Brit admits she doesn’t hug her friends or family back home, so she’s adjusting to her new social environment. Credit: @britsreachedanewhigh on Instagram.

Both of her videos have garnered a combined 567,400 views online and drew in hundreds of comments. Most of them came from Australians who grew amused at Brit’s new revelations. Even the official TikTok of Queensland, Australia commented ‘Always here for a DnM’ on her video.

Another user commented that they didn’t know being touchy-feely with each other wasn’t normal. Brit responded by saying, ‘It’s very cute’. One person also said, ‘I thought the world did this but in some other way.’ Apparently, the rest of the world is missing out on casual hugs from their mates!


A woman also commented: ‘I literally have had dnm’s with people I’ve just met in the smokos at pubs. It’s genuinely so nice being able to have real conversations with people.’ And you know what? We agree. Being vulnerable with other people helps deepen connections, so don’t be afraid to start a D and M with your friends or even strangers every now and again!

Well, dear members, what do you think of this story? Do you greet your friends and family with hugs too? Would you agree and say we are quite an affectionate lot? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
 
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That was the one thing I said to my son, that I was dying for a hug, any hug, from anyone. From the bushfires that isolated me and then the pandemic that just carried it on I realised that I hadn't had any human touch in almost three years. I dreamed of a big fat cuddly tight hug! ;)
 
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I hug everyone !! The first thing my 23 year old son does is hug me as soon as he comes home.

My boys all hug their friends although it's sort of a half hug with a pat on the back.

There was an elderly lady who lost her phone in the shopping centre today, I asked how I could help her , lucky she had a little book in her bag with her daughters number .

Turns out the lady was deaf , we called her daughter who came straight away.

Phone was never found

I had to hug her , she looked very sad.

I think it's funny how people try to talk like Aussies I could feel this with Britt Or was it just me

Update she found her phone it was in her car , her lovely daughter just called me.
Talking about expats, isnt it strange that Keith Urban sings with an American twang now, he once was the all Australian singer. He doesn't speak with an American voice......is it because he wants to be known in the USA as one of their singers, he could tone it down when back in Australia but no he doesn't. I have been to my last Keith Urban concert, his voice grated on me, give me Shannon Noll or one of our great Australian country singers who haven't gone all American.
 
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Reactions: Ricci
I hug everyone !! The first thing my 23 year old son does is hug me as soon as he comes home.

My boys all hug their friends although it's sort of a half hug with a pat on the back.

There was an elderly lady who lost her phone in the shopping centre today, I asked how I could help her , lucky she had a little book in her bag with her daughters number .

Turns out the lady was deaf , we called her daughter who came straight away.

Phone was never found

I had to hug her , she looked very sad.

I think it's funny how people try to talk like Aussies I could feel this with Britt Or was it just me

Update she found her phone it was in her car , her lovely daughter just called me.
how can you say "never found" then "found in car??
 
how can you say "never found" then "found in car??
Because when I wrote the post the phone wasn't found , we searched in the stores she went into.

Hours later I received a phone call from her daughter who searched the car and found it

If you read the bottom where it states found it is an UPDATE I wrote
 
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