Its interesting how people follow different norms in different places, and how the term 'acceptable' differs completely from place to place. Aussies in general are very easy going and friendly people. Where else would you be walking beside a complete stranger on the roadside, and exchanging pleasantries or discussing the weather?
I took some time to get used to it, cuz everytime I stepped out, I didnt expect to hear 'G'day Mate' or 'How's it goin?' from every second person that walked me by!! But that's just the way people are here.....Even if you use the public transportation, the bus driver greets you and exchanges a line or two. In India, the only time the bus driver would exchange a line with you is if you gave him a less fare!!! It feels so gud when the person in front of you always greets you with a smile, be it a cashier at a counter or a passenger in a bus. Its like they're always glad to meet u!!!
Aussie slangs are another thing. 'No Worries' - u'd hear this phrase atleast 10times a day, if not more. All conversation is guaranteed to end with 'No Worries'!! Some other slangs which you get to hear frequently are Barbie (BBQ), Bikkie (Biscuit), Dunny (Toilet), Fair Dinkum (Genuine)......it does take gettin used to cuz in a conversation they suddenly pop up, and I go...whaaa???
But one thing I still can't get used to is the 'casual' sense of dressing! And when I mean 'casual'...I mean it to its truest sense. On my 1st day of class, I put on a T-shirt, Jeans...socks...shoes...u kno...the kind of stuff you expect ppl to wear (or atleast wat I expect!). And I'm greeted with people walkin into class wearing beach burmudas....rubber slippers....vests...and maybe a coke in the hand!! But the icing on the cake was when my lecturer walked in a pair of shorts, t-shirt and floaters!!! And it was the same for all my other classes. What you wear is apparently not an issue...and anything is acceptable. I even notice about 2-3ppl in Uni everyday who are barefoot!! And it's not just uni...I went to the city and its the same everywhere....ppl just love to be casual...

As an end note...even i've started attendin uni minus the dilly dally. After all it is a pain to put on clean socks (i hope my mom isn't readin this) and slip on the shoes etc etc. Just pull something out, slip it out..and I'm outta there...