Submitted by Anh Nguyen on the 2019 spring semester study abroad program in Australia sponsored by the Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics…
Sydney is a friendly city. Friendly people, friendly culture, friendly food, friendly roads and friendly transportation. Everything here in Sydney is adapted from, mainly, British culture with the fusion of many different other cultures, so it is not so hard for me to get used to the lifestyle here. Except one thing, the walking side. Just like England, people here in Australia use the left side: walking on left side and driving on left side. It took me almost a week to get used to the side here, especially when I walked or used escalators.
Last week, I had a chance to go visit some companies in Sydney using trains and buses. Thanks to that, I have observed a very interesting norm here. When walking up the stairs, or using the escalator, no matter if you go alone, or with somebody else, people will neatly walk or stand on the left, leaving some space for othesr to walk up if they are in a rush. This shows the concern and respect of people to people living in the same community.
Sydney’s authorities also recognize that they are the city of diversity. They understand that people here in Sydney are from many different countries with different rules and norms. They want to include and embrace everyone coming to Sydney by telling them how to do things the Australian way. Instead of assuming everyone will know to use the left side, they have little signs in stairs,and escalators to tell people the correct side to walk. To me, who is from a right-side country, this little gesture is not only useful, but also makes me feel nice and included.
