From Down Under to Down South
From Down Under to Down South is a twice-weekly reflection from an Australian making a life in the American South.
After moving from Australia to Tennessee in 2018, I began noticing the subtle cultural differences most people miss — the way politeness sounds different, the way goodbyes stretch longer, the way everyday moments quietly reveal what’s different.
Some episodes explore those contrasts directly. Others are quiet stories from the week — conversations and small moments that say something bigger.
It’s not outrage or culture wars. And it’s not a travel diary. It’s simply one Australian perspective on life between two countries.
If you’ve ever lived overseas, loved two places at once, or found yourself caught between familiar and foreign — you’ll feel at home here.
New episodes are released twice weekly as part of the broader From Down Under to Down South series across podcast and YouTube.
From Down Under to Down South
Are Americans REALLY That Rude?
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Rudeness is often in the eye of the beholder.
After living in the United States as an Australian, I’ve had moments where something felt abrupt or blunt — only to realise it made perfect sense within its own cultural context.
In this episode, I reflect on the idea that Americans are “rude” and explore where that perception comes from.
We’ll look at:
• How directness can be misread across cultures
• Differences in customer service expectations
• Social tone and conversational style
• The gap between stereotype and lived experience
This isn’t about defending or criticising anyone.
It’s about how cultural norms shape what we interpret as polite, warm, distant, or abrupt — and how easily those interpretations shift when you grow up somewhere else.
Sometimes what feels rude at first glance is simply unfamiliar.
And that distinction makes all the difference.
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Thanks for watching.
Hoo roo maties.
Check out additional content on our YouTube page!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjipgN51kc8swHyKeSx2tzw
