Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Indian-Origin Woman Shares Five Everyday Australian Culture Shocks
Disha Shah moved from India to Australia and shared things that surprised her.
She said many shops close earlier than she expected.
She was also surprised to see police officers riding horses in city areas.
In Australia, people often use first names instead of formal titles.
She said workers usually do not stay late just to look dedicated.
She also liked that parks are clean and well maintained.
These parks may include playgrounds, restrooms, walking paths and free barbecues.
Some people online said shops can stay open later and that mounted police also exist in parts of India.
Disha Shah said many Australian shops routinely close by 5 PM, unlike markets in Indian cities.
She was surprised to see mounted police patrolling busy downtown business districts.
Shah said Australians commonly address supervisors, doctors, teachers and elders by their first names.
She described work-life balance and personal time as priorities in Australia.
She praised neighborhood parks for their playgrounds, restrooms, walking paths and free barbecue stations.
- Who
- Disha Shah, an Indian-origin woman living in Australia, shared the observations.
- What
- She listed five everyday Australian practices and features that surprised her after relocating.
- When
- She recently shared the observations in an Instagram video.
- Where
- The observations concern daily life in Australia, with comparisons to India.
- Why
- She shared them to describe the cultural and practical adjustments involved in moving countries.
Shah's Observations
Online Qualifications
Retail opening hours
Shah's Observations
Shah said Australian retail stores routinely shut by 5 PM, unlike markets that remain open late in Indian cities.
Online Qualifications
An Instagram user said supermarkets stay open until late and shopping centres have later hours on Thursdays and Fridays, depending on the store and workers' schedules.
Mounted police
Shah's Observations
Shah described mounted police in Australian city streets as an everyday sight that still surprised her.
Online Qualifications
A commenter said mounted police are also common in parts of India, including Trivandrum, where they are known as the Ashwarooda Sena.
Workplace priorities
Shah's Observations
Shah said staying late is not treated as a badge of honour and that work-life balance is prioritized.
Online Qualifications
Other commenters emphasized that employee respect and mental health are also genuine workplace priorities.
- Person
- Disha Shah
- Country discussed
- Australia
- Comparison country
- India
- Reported shop hours
- Many retail stores routinely close by 5 PM, according to Shah.
- Police practice
- Mounted police patrol busy downtown business districts.
- Workplace culture
- First-name address and strong work-life boundaries were highlighted.
- Public parks
- Parks may provide playgrounds, clean restrooms, walking paths and free barbecue stations.