When Americans venture to the land of Oz, they expect to encounter some differences—the charming accent, the love for Vegemite, and perhaps the laid-back lifestyle. But what they might not anticipate is the cultural nuances that can leave them feeling like they've stepped into an alternate universe. One such revelation has recently taken the internet by storm, and it's all about a nursery rhyme and the creepy crawlers that feature in it.


Texas local Tara Lappan, who moved to Australia to be with her Aussie husband, experienced a culture shock that's both amusing and a little unsettling. While singing the classic 'Itsy-Bitsy Spider' to her baby, she noticed her husband's interpretation of the spider was, well, significantly larger than what she was used to. Instead of the thumb and index finger gesture familiar to many Americans, her husband used his thumb and pinky, mimicking the size of Australia's infamous huntsman spiders.


The moment was a lightbulb one for Tara, as she realised that the gesture made perfect sense in the Australian context, where spiders can be as big as a hand or even larger. Her discomfort was palpable as she joked about the size of the spiders in her new home, and it's a sentiment that many newcomers to Australia can relate to.


Tara's video quickly went viral, sparking a lively debate among viewers. Many Australians chimed in to correct her, pointing out that the nursery rhyme is known as 'Incy Wincy Spider' in Australia, not 'Itsy-Bitsy'. This sparked a minor debate, with a few insisting that 'Itsy Bitsy' was the term they grew up with. Others discussed the hand gestures used for the rhyme, with some saying they used the thumb to index finger to form a diamond shape, while others confirmed the thumb to pinky method.

The discussion wasn't just limited to Australians. New Zealanders also joined in, sharing that they too use larger hand movements for the song, reflecting the reality of the larger arachnids in their part of the world.

Tara's follow-up video delved deeper into the little cultural differences that fascinate her, highlighting how even the simplest childhood songs can reveal so much about a country's unique characteristics.


For our members at the Seniors Discount Club, this story might bring back memories of your own experiences with cultural differences, whether during travels or when meeting people from other parts of the world. It's a reminder that what we consider 'normal' can be quite unusual to someone else.

And let's not forget the spiders. Australia is known for its diverse and, at times, intimidating wildlife. The huntsman spider, while generally harmless to humans, can be a startling sight for those not accustomed to sharing their space with such sizeable creatures.

Watch Tara's video here:

So, dear members, have you had any similar culture shock experiences? Perhaps with the local wildlife or with seemingly innocuous traditions that turned out to be quite different from what you were used to? Share your stories in the comments below – we'd love to hear about the moments that made you chuckle, squirm, or simply say, 'Only in Australia!'

Remember, embracing these differences is part of the adventure of life, and who knows, you might just find yourself singing about 'Incy Wincy' spiders with the grandkids, complete with the grand hand gestures that come with living Down Under.