ENTERTAINING

Social life is very important to most Australians. Work colleagues will often drink together, particularly on a Friday night and while the common subject of work is an unavoidable topic of conversation, discussion of business is popularly avoided.

When drinking with peers, each person is expected to pay for a round of drinks which is called a "shout". If you forget, someone is sure to remind you, so don't be offended when they ask.

Australians may not automatically offer to pay for a meal when they invite you out, however it is not uncommon for one person to pay for the entire meal and this is always a friendly gesture. Often everyone contributes to paying a bill, and insisting on only paying for exactly what you ordered is considered rude. Bills will generally be divided evenly.

While entertaining in public venues is very common, it is not unusual for Australians to invite you to their home for a meal or a drink. It is customary to bring a bottle of wine or something to share, which will generally be consumed at the event.

When in doubt, feel free to ask Australians to explain their customs and expectations, as they will generally welcome the opportunity.