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Travel Tips
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Traveling to Australia
Editor’s note: Global business, and subsequently, global business travel, continues to expand rapidly. In response, CWT Traveler will provide to readers each month in 2007 insights and tips on traveling from North America to other countries around the world. This month’s installment focuses on Australia
In business:
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The most effective approach is to be friendly, relaxed, modest, and unpretentious. Australians are amused at how hard foreigners (especially North Americans) try to make a good impression. Australians are difficult to impress and often do not admit it when they are impressed.
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When conducting business, less is more. Presentations should be kept short and not delve into too much detail. Brevity is considered a virtue.
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Australians prefer honesty and directness. Be forthright in presenting a case, articulating both the pros and the cons. Skewed negotiations or high-pressure sales tactics are considered off-putting.
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Appointments can typically be made with people at all levels in a company, as the majority of Australian executives are friendly and open to discussions. Schedule in-person meetings several weeks in advance, if possible.
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Australians are creative, curious, and generally comfortable with some risk – they tend to adopt new technologies as soon as they are made available.
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Businesses may emphasize profit over market share.
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Follow others’ leads in using titles. In Australia, a title alone does not denote respect. The individual must still earn respect from others.
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If invited out socially, do not bring up business unless the event’s host first does so. Work and play carry equal weight in Australia and are not to be confused.
Good to know:
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Australians are wary of those who consider themselves “better” than others and are not impressed by bragging about one’s education, achievements, or qualifications. Be modest in interactions.
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In a pub, it is important that each person buys a round of drinks. Missing one’s turn to “shout for a round” is certain to leave a bad impression.
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Raising one or two fingers up in the air is considered rude.
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Australians greet each other with “Hello” or “How are you?” “G’day” is no longer as common and they tire of hearing tourists overuse it.
Source: “Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: The Bestselling Guide to Doing Business in More Than 60 Countries,” by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway. Published by Adams Media of Avon, Massachusetts.
How to get a better seat in economy class
Most frequent fliers will agree the best seats on an airplane are found in first or business class; however, riding in economy class doesn’t have to translate into a cramped flight. Securing the most comfortable seat in economy class is often a matter of travelers knowing what is most comfortable for them. For instance, one traveler may prefer to sit in an aisle seat near the front of the plane, which allows them to work on a laptop if needed and exit the plane first. Conversely, another traveler may prefer a window seat near the back of the plane, which may be better for sleeping and allow them to get onboard and settled before most other passengers.
While comfort may vary depending on a traveler's needs, discomfort seems more uniform - travelers who show up at the airport without a seat assignment are likely to get stuck in a cramped middle seat. With most flights operating at or near full capacity, travelers should reserve their seat at the time they purchase their ticket whenever possible.
Travelers can also educate themselves before traveling – seating information for dozens of North American and international airlines is available through Web sites like http://www.seatguru.com and http://www.seatexpert.com, which offer interactive maps that rate individual seats by the level of recline, legroom, row position, access to amenities and distance to lavatories and the galley. The sites also offer recommendations based on user comments and industry research.
Source: Los Angeles Times
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