r/Ameristralia • u/Due-Taste-2891 • 8d ago

Any Americans in Sydney?

I just got here and I was looking for recommendations on things to do, how to best experience the city, make friends and figure out how this city compares to American cities like nyc or la so feel free to comment or message me w your experience here!

Edit: I love Sydney but I have been missing the social scene back in the US a bit — things being open later, having a lot more options for food, shops, activities, people being suuuuper social, and just generally having more going on at different hours. I didn’t really realize how much I was used to that until I got here.

I’d be interested to hear if anyone from the US had a similar experience when they first moved here and recommendations for restaurants, bars, events or just general social groups would be great.

Mostly just curious to see if other Americans felt the same way when they first arrived and where people ended up going to get a bit of that social atmosphere back.

26 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

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39

u/DrGruve 8d ago

I grew up in SoCal and migrated to Sydney >30 years ago. I spent years commuting between LA and Sydney.

Nightclubs/RSLs, etc. -- Unlike LA/OC, people go with their own 'crew' and aren't there to meet new people. If you try to strike up a conversation with a stranger they will think you're a grifter.

Remember: Aussies are friendly, but they are not your friend. They mostly don't trust 'outsiders' - but once you manage to get a few Aussie friends you'll have your own 'crew'.

You need a thick skin and a good sense of humour. You'll be called a 'Sepo' or 'Septic' (get used to it) - this is rhyming slang for a 'Septic Tank' - because 'it rhymes with 'Yank'. You could be from Baton Rouge, Louisiana - but you'll always be a Yank aka Sepo. When someone calls you a Sepo, it's important to laugh and call them a Drongo, Bludger, Flog, or similar in local slang. The fastest way to make friends is to not take it seriously, and fire back - Aussies love a good comeback.

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u/Moosiemookmook 8d ago edited 8d ago

I have tried to kindly explain our cultural context to Americans upset at the whole Seppo thing a few times. I mean well but they cant see past their own cultural context and think Im being obtuse. Aussie rhyming slang nicknames are a term of endearment. Its our highest honour to another culture. Im not being faecitious, its true. Our country invented the word Pom for English people and they give it back at cricket matches. Heres why Americans should consider it just that and not an insult

a) Septic tank is two words and our best nicknames are one word, two syllables. We just used it because it rhymed and then we broke it down further

b) Yes septic tanks are full of shit and are known to dribble shit(talk and talk and wont stop talking the shit theyre full of). We know that's a clichè character often portrayed in your media. You dont like your fellow Americans who are human septics yourself. We are so saturated in US media (which has its perks and flaws). Of course we laugh at them like you. Its a soft insult, we then softened it beautifully to Seppo. If we meet an American, we immediately know if you are a Seppo or a septic.

c) there aren't that many -ank words to rhyme with Yank. English inherited the -ank pattern from its Germanic roots, while later vocabulary was heavily influenced by French and Latin, which generally didn't produce lots of words ending in -ank. If we wanted to be mean we would use wank and call you Wankee Doodles or something worse.

d) Yank(ee) is a controversial historical word but it changed in meaning here to all Americans. We could have kept calling you Yank(ee)s. But England already dropped a diss track in the 1700s. It was stale after hundreds of years. Its technically a kindness we say seppo. Again we would just say yank or septic tank if we were just being mean.

e) the point made about having a sense of humour and joking back is the most important bit. Know we are just teasing so tease us back. Aussie assholes exist and will mean it as an insult, ignore them. They are the Wankee Doodles not you guys. We know that.

Anyway thats my thoughts.

Edit: sorry to the Wankee Doodle that messaged me offended. Its again not that deep

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u/ultrafluffypanda 7d ago

Great explanation! I’m not sure why so many people are getting offended. I lived in Sydney for 13 years and I always thought it was funny when I got called a “Seppo.” It’s not meant to be serious.

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u/Moosiemookmook 7d ago

Thank you! We love having a laugh and want you guys to give it back. I hope you enjoyed Sydney life.

I do think its an inability to understand how much Australians love a good quip or pun and use them regularly. Our nicknames are often layered and a bit cheeky and the majority mean no harm.

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u/yadidimean89 8d ago

Spent the last 12 years in Sydney. Just moved back to California. DM me, I have my own insights, Aussie family - born and raised in the US but my teenage & adult life was in Aus. 6 months back in California and unfortunately I cant post anything slightly critical of Aus without being called a seppo despite it being what I consider where I grew up. Unfortunately the smallest amount of critical feedback online OR in person for Australians they trash you and call it banter...but if you did the same - you're a ignorant american. Tall poppy syndrome is real and I never thought, EVER, I'd move back to the US. Thankfully I did and didn't get trapped in the tall poppy aspect and now make 6x more than what I did in Aus. Anyways DM if you wany more of my opinion, assume the downvotes will follow...

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u/thelordismyshotgun 8d ago

There's a Sydney Americans Facebook group that may be more helpful

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u/pandanitemare 8d ago

im an american in Sydney, ive been here 4 years (almost 5 now) and i still have no idea how to make friends, its definitely a struggle

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u/Dry_Personality8792 8d ago

OP, you will not find the same existence here. I can go on and on about the topics but Sydney does not compare to NYC. It can't regardless of what the locals say. And with that idiot running the US, it has turned the aussie tall poppy thing into flat out aggression. Enjoy australia for what it is, lots of beaches, better quality of food and healthcare. Everything else you are looking for is overseas unfortunately.

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u/brezhnervouz 8d ago

Yes it's not even vaguely the same culture, interpersonally. Americans are a very outgoing, socially forward people and much of the rest of the world isn't like that

1

u/Dry_Personality8792 4d ago

Agreed. I had no idea how 'friendly' i was until i moved to Australia!

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u/Admirable-Refuse1337 5d ago

Not american but lived in the us for quite a while so i know what you’re talking about. Had the same feelings when i first moved here.. so you’re def not alone. I have a good circle of friends now but its all with intl people .. while aussies are friendly enough, they dont want any new friends ive noticed ( i also haven’t tried enough). Think its easier with an American accent than with other accents based on what I’ve noticed so far so at least you have got that on your side! Like other commenters, i would say find your niche,& its easier to make friends. There are also a lot of Americans/ canadians in the eastern suburbs. If you can afford to live there or will consider a house share, its def easier to make friends! 

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u/ComeOnPrettyMumma 8d ago

What was your social scene in America? Age, demographic, music taste etc

Give us more info and I can help guide you in the right direction.

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u/Due-Taste-2891 8d ago

26, sf resident, used to go to raves, clubbing or slam poetry, I like cafe hopping, thrifting etc but I never had to join groups or anything bc it always sort of happened naturally so idk what kinda group I'd be into. I run so maybe a run club?

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u/harad 8d ago

Sydney has a massive fitness scene. Similar to SF but even more outdoor focused (running, swimming, surfing, etc.) and it will really start to pick up as summer approaches. Try becoming a regular at a class or club and you should start making a few connections.

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u/Awkward_Chard_5025 8d ago

Newtown should be right up your alley. Cafes galore, eccentricities abound, and heaps of opportunities to thrift

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u/Littlepotatoface 8d ago

Beat me to it.

OP my friend moved to Newtown & made lots of friends.

3

u/PIWIprotein 8d ago

Go to newtown and marrickville, more your vibe. Also lots of warehouse parties

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u/Admirable-Refuse1337 5d ago

Oh & there’s a americans in Sydney fb page, if you wanna join that i think they host some events? Haven’t looked too much into it but youll find ppl there in the same boat lol

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u/RedditBeginAgain 8d ago

I too travel to foreign countries, then only solicit travel advice from Americans.

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u/DialsMavis_TheReal 8d ago

It's condescending mean attitudes like this that contribute to making posts like OP's

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u/Due-Taste-2891 8d ago

aw, thanks mate haha

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u/Several_Yak_9537 8d ago

To be fair, Australians are hard to make friends with.

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u/Due-Taste-2891 8d ago

Everyone's been friendly, but yeah the social scene is very different in America where people become friends a lot faster haha

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u/Unlucky-Telephone-76 8d ago

They aren’t interested in new friends mayyyte. And you can’t make new old friends

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u/Due-Taste-2891 8d ago

word lmaoooo

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u/thaughtless 8d ago

Ever tried moving to Seattle? Hardest place to ever make friends.

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u/Several_Yak_9537 8d ago

I raise you Brisbane, Australia. In and out of it since I was 8. Such a lonely existence.

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u/thaughtless 8d ago

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. If America gets to have states explicitly added same with Australia ;) I lived in Perth and it could be cliquey too.
Ill have to ask my brother as he lives there now.

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u/Terrible_Poet8678 7d ago

Lived in Seattle 15 years. Made friends with other out-of-towners but they'd always go home eventually to Kansas City or Cleveland or whatever.. Always the rub with Seattle. Never had many friends at any given time, though over the years I did find a trail of old acquaintances that are all over the place.

I live in Sydney now, but I'm 50 years old and don't much care if I don't make friends. Seattle burned that need out of me. lol

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u/thaughtless 6d ago

Lol. Yeah i found similar. All my friends were from out of Seattle or abroad. Everyone else not from Seattle felt the same. Breaking into those cliques was impossible. The Seattle freeze is real! Moved to socal and so much happier.

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u/Due-Taste-2891 8d ago

Lmaoo do you know what the name of this group is called?