From Belgium to Oz: Cultural surprises and wallet woes
Dafne Sartorio, a young businesswoman living in Belgium, recently returned from a trip to Australia. She shared her thoughts online: "There were things that made me laugh and wonder if I was in a different universe. It made me reconsider life in Europe."
Dafne Sartorio shared her impressions of the trip to Australia with netizens. She admitted experiencing a real culture shock in a post published on Threads. The first thing that surprised her was the vast space and few people. "We spent the entire day kayaking in the Noosa Everglades, and I swear, there wasn't a soul in sight over an area of about 70 kilometres. If it were Europe, we'd be jostling with strangers to take a decent picture," she reported, as quoted by the "Daily Mail".
She was also taken aback by the amount of coffee consumed by Australians. "I thought I loved coffee, but they drink an average of 14 cups weekly. I'm still recovering," remarked the surprised European. Dafne was also amazed by Australians' friendly approach to others. She emphasized that everyone who served her smiled and engaged in genuine conversations, leading her to conclude that she felt like she had been "living in a European customer service desert."
Sartorio noted that life in Australia seems to move at a distinctly different pace compared to European countries. "No one is in a hurry. People seem... calmer. Slower. Meanwhile, I walk around as if I have 17 other places to visit," she admitted.
Australia on the plus side, although not everything
The Belgian noted that although Australia is full of attractions that never get boring, unfortunately, their cost can be quite deterrent. Not only is surfing or diving expensive, but even renting a house is. "Australia offers some of the best experiences in the world, but your wallet will scream after the second day", said Sartorio, quoted by the "Daily Mail".
It was also surprising for the European that everything was sweet. "Bread, snacks, even butter had sugar in it. I don't know if it's a trend or a conspiracy, but I returned with a serious sugar rush," she admitted, describing her stay in Australia.
Dafne Sartorio was astonished to find that food establishments are bustling with life as early as 5 AM Eastern Time, while in Belgium, where she resides, cafes only open at 8 AM. She was equally impressed by the prevailing cleanliness everywhere. In conclusion, Sartorio admitted that she is eager to return to Australia, adding that she will do so as soon as her "wallet recovers."
