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
Aussie vs American Dining Rules That Will Shock You!
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You can learn a lot about a country by how it handles a meal.
Living between Australia and the United States, I’ve noticed that dining etiquette carries subtle — and sometimes surprising — differences. Things that feel completely ordinary in one country can seem unusual in the other.
In this episode, I look at:
• The American “cut and switch” method
• Restaurant pacing and table expectations
• Tipping culture and how it shapes service
• Whether clearing plates mid-meal is polite or premature
It’s not about declaring one approach right and the other wrong.
It’s about how food culture reflects broader values — independence, hospitality, efficiency, and comfort — and how those values show up in small, everyday rituals.
If you’ve ever felt slightly out of step at a restaurant overseas, you’ll probably recognise a few of these moments.
Be sure to check out one of Canberra’s best restaurants when you’re next in the capital:
https://www.courgette.com.au/
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Thanks for watching.
Hoo roo maties.
Check out additional content on our YouTube page!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjipgN51kc8swHyKeSx2tzw
