Sydneyculture & etiquette

Australia sits under a thinned ozone layer and Sydney routinely hits extreme UV even on cool, overcast days. Burning takes about 10 minutes in summer. Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses are daily items, not beach items — check the UV index, not the forecast temperature.

Those flags mark the only patrolled stretch of any beach. Sydney's surf beaches have strong rips that pull confident swimmers out fast. If you're caught in one, don't swim against it — raise an arm and float until the lifesavers reach you.

Opal and contactless charge by distance, so failing to tap off at the end of a trip bills you the highest possible fare for that mode. Fares also cap daily and weekly, and Sundays are capped low — locals plan day trips accordingly.

Hospitality staff are paid a legally mandated minimum wage, so tipping isn't expected or built into pricing. Rounding up or leaving 10% for excellent service is a nice gesture, nothing more. Expect a surcharge on Sundays and public holidays instead.

Many restaurants are 'BYO' — bring your own wine and pay a small corkage fee per person. It's a large saving over restaurant markups, and buying the bottle from the bottle-o next door is completely normal.

First names with senior colleagues, understatement over enthusiasm, and gentle teasing are all standard. Overselling yourself lands badly; self-deprecation lands well. 'Yeah, nah' means no and 'nah, yeah' means yes — you'll adjust faster than you think.