Canadian expat reveals peculiar differences found in Aussie shopping centres!
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Have you ever been curious about the little things that make life in Australia different from other countries? Like those odd quirks that only seem to exist Down Under?
Well, Canadian expat Cassie Chuang has recently shared her thoughts on what she finds most peculiar about our Australian shopping centres (or 'malls', as she calls them) after living in Brisbane for nearly a year.
Some of these differences might surprise you, while others may bring a smile to your face. So, if you're keen on discovering what this expat has to say about our shopping habits, then sit back, savour your flat white, and let's dive in!
In her social media video, Cassie raved about her appreciation for Australia's approach to allowing trolleys to move freely throughout the shopping centres.
She found it incredibly convenient that customers could use their trolleys not only within the store they got it from but also on escalators and then return it in the car park – a breath of fresh air compared to the stricter rules she was used to back home in Canada.
And our humble Aussie travelators – those ingenious flat escalators designed to make trolley transportation smooth and easy – were met with high praise. Cassie couldn't help but gush about how much better and more convenient these travelators are compared to the separate escalator systems often seen in North American shopping centres.
Cassie's primary concern was regarding the timed parking fees at Aussie shopping centres. Shoppers often have a three-hour grace period before the fees kick in, which Cassie found 'ridiculous'.
'What if I want to just watch a movie and then spend another three hours…hanging out with my friends?'
Many of us might agree with her or at least sympathise with the sentiment that shopping should be a leisurely activity without feeling the pressure of a ticking clock. Aussie commenters even chimed in with their recommendations for how to avoid paying parking fees when possible, such as scanning your movie ticket for an extra free hour.
Furthermore, Cassie wasn't particularly thrilled about the trading hours of most Australian shops – closing around 5 pm every day and staying open until 9 pm only on Thursdays. She found it strange that late shopping nights didn't occur on Fridays or weekends when most people have free time.
Cassie did mention that she's a fan of the nifty feature found in certain car parks where they use red and green lights to let drivers know which spots are available and which ones are taken.
As Cassie shared her observations, Aussies were quick to educate her about the proper terms: 'shopping centre' instead of 'mall' and 'trolley' rather than 'cart'. Similarly, they enlightened her on the reasons behind our unusual trading hours and how they often align with weekday paydays.
While living in a foreign country can occasionally spring some peculiar surprises, as Cassie discovered, it's essential to remember that these little cultural differences are what makes the world a fascinating place. So, whether you're an expat living in Australia or a local, let's continue to embrace our peculiar yet wonderful Aussie shopping quirks!
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this story, folks. If you've had the chance to travel abroad, have you noticed any major—or maybe not-so-big—differences between the usual spots here in Australia and other countries? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below, and let's get a conversation going!
Well, Canadian expat Cassie Chuang has recently shared her thoughts on what she finds most peculiar about our Australian shopping centres (or 'malls', as she calls them) after living in Brisbane for nearly a year.
Some of these differences might surprise you, while others may bring a smile to your face. So, if you're keen on discovering what this expat has to say about our shopping habits, then sit back, savour your flat white, and let's dive in!
In her social media video, Cassie raved about her appreciation for Australia's approach to allowing trolleys to move freely throughout the shopping centres.
She found it incredibly convenient that customers could use their trolleys not only within the store they got it from but also on escalators and then return it in the car park – a breath of fresh air compared to the stricter rules she was used to back home in Canada.
And our humble Aussie travelators – those ingenious flat escalators designed to make trolley transportation smooth and easy – were met with high praise. Cassie couldn't help but gush about how much better and more convenient these travelators are compared to the separate escalator systems often seen in North American shopping centres.
Cassie's primary concern was regarding the timed parking fees at Aussie shopping centres. Shoppers often have a three-hour grace period before the fees kick in, which Cassie found 'ridiculous'.
'What if I want to just watch a movie and then spend another three hours…hanging out with my friends?'
Many of us might agree with her or at least sympathise with the sentiment that shopping should be a leisurely activity without feeling the pressure of a ticking clock. Aussie commenters even chimed in with their recommendations for how to avoid paying parking fees when possible, such as scanning your movie ticket for an extra free hour.
Furthermore, Cassie wasn't particularly thrilled about the trading hours of most Australian shops – closing around 5 pm every day and staying open until 9 pm only on Thursdays. She found it strange that late shopping nights didn't occur on Fridays or weekends when most people have free time.
Cassie did mention that she's a fan of the nifty feature found in certain car parks where they use red and green lights to let drivers know which spots are available and which ones are taken.
A Canadian expat shared what she finds 'weird' about Aussie shopping centres. Credit: TikTok/cascee_.
As Cassie shared her observations, Aussies were quick to educate her about the proper terms: 'shopping centre' instead of 'mall' and 'trolley' rather than 'cart'. Similarly, they enlightened her on the reasons behind our unusual trading hours and how they often align with weekday paydays.
While living in a foreign country can occasionally spring some peculiar surprises, as Cassie discovered, it's essential to remember that these little cultural differences are what makes the world a fascinating place. So, whether you're an expat living in Australia or a local, let's continue to embrace our peculiar yet wonderful Aussie shopping quirks!
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this story, folks. If you've had the chance to travel abroad, have you noticed any major—or maybe not-so-big—differences between the usual spots here in Australia and other countries? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below, and let's get a conversation going!
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