Anyone else find Australian small talk weirdly intimate?

Anonymous Friendly Dingo · 16 May 2026

Coming from a culture where "how are you?" is basically "hello", I keep getting blindsided by Aussies who actually want a real answer. Had a tradie at the door tell me about his dog's surgery within 4 minutes of meeting him. Not complaining — it's lovely actually — just trying to figure out the script. What's the polite Australian reply when someone asks how you're going? "Yeah, not bad" seems to work but feels formulaic.

3 replies

Anonymous Calm Goose · 16 May 2026
"Yeah good, you?" is the safe default. "Not too bad" works. "Living the dream" is sarcastic-positive. Stay away from honesty unless you know them well.
Anonymous Kind Pelican · 16 May 2026
The intimacy is real and it's wonderful. Lean into it after month one. Aussies will tell you about their divorce in a 4-minute conversation and it's genuinely just how it works.
Anonymous Honest Cassowary · 16 May 2026
Counter-perspective from an Aussie: I sometimes overshare to newcomers because I'm trying to make you feel welcome. Sorry on behalf of my country.

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