Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Hello Everyone! Sorry to ask this question, and I don't want to offend anyone but I would really like to know. I have never been to Australia before and I don't know much about it. I have a friend that works in Houston, tx right now for an engineering company and has been asked to come to Australia for about a year or so to work. She has already accepted the position there and will be leaving for Australia very soon, but she would like me to come and visit her for a couple of weeks while she is there. I know there is racism everywhere in the world, but if I could get a heads up on what it's like there before I come I would feel more comfortable. And I might take my kids with me, so any insight would be helpful. Thanks
If you are in one of the major cities, you shouldn't have any major problems. I'd advice against areas that have high populations of Aborigines though. You may get confused for one and many people dislike them for reasons such as crime, drugs, and laziness. I noticed this in Perth. Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast are all good. There are many guys that will find you more attractive because you are a AA. Your friend will enjoy it and so will you =) Great country.
I lived in Canberra (the capital of Australia) for six months on a study abroad and am African American. I had an ok experience. I did experience some racism, for example at the university I was at some of the kids did black face one night and people constantly asked me about stereotypical 'black' stuff (but maybe that's because I was the first AA person they'd met). One girl told me she didn't realize black people could be so short (I'm 5'0).
And of course people did sometimes stare, and asked to do stupid stuff like touch my hair. From my personal experience I don't think its somewhere I could live long term. I did make a good bit of friends but most were Asian and I even had a guy that liked me there and we went on a few dates (white/asian guy).
Please tell her to bring all of her hair care products with her. Its very hard to find hair products geared towards African American hair there and she'll really have to search to find a black hair salon. I found one, but all they did was braids.
And she shouldn't expect to see many black people. I only saw maybe three black people the entire time I was in Canberra, even when I visited Sydney and Melbourne I hardly saw any black people, so it was a big culture shock for me.
If you are in one of the major cities, you shouldn't have any major problems. I'd advice against areas that have high populations of Aborigines though. You may get confused for one and many people dislike them for reasons such as crime, drugs, and laziness. I noticed this in Perth. Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast are all good. There are many guys that will find you more attractive because you are a AA. Your friend will enjoy it and so will you =) Great country.
Thanks so much for your help! I am sure this will be a great experience for me and my family.
I lived in Canberra (the capital of Australia) for six months on a study abroad and am African American. I had an ok experience. I did experience some racism, for example at the university I was at some of the kids did black face one night and people constantly asked me about stereotypical 'black' stuff (but maybe that's because I was the first AA person they'd met). One girl told me she didn't realize black people could be so short (I'm 5'0).
And of course people did sometimes stare, and asked to do stupid stuff like touch my hair. From my personal experience I don't think its somewhere I could live long term. I did make a good bit of friends but most were Asian and I even had a guy that liked me there and we went on a few dates (white/asian guy).
Please tell her to bring all of her hair care products with her. Its very hard to find hair products geared towards African American hair there and she'll really have to search to find a black hair salon. I found one, but all they did was braids.
And she shouldn't expect to see many black people. I only saw maybe three black people the entire time I was in Canberra, even when I visited Sydney and Melbourne I hardly saw any black people, so it was a big culture shock for me.
Thanks for your reply, I was a little worried about the hair care situation. I won't be staying that long so i will be fine, but I don't know what my friend is going to do about her hair. My hair is natural and not relaxed, but her hair is relaxed. I wonder can you buy a relaxer over there? I will remind her about this as well.
Many Australians will be curious about AA culture, don't look at it as racism, they are just interested because of Hollywood and music artists etc. Where in Australia are you headed?
Many Australians will be curious about AA culture, don't look at it as racism, they are just interested because of Hollywood and music artists etc. Where in Australia are you headed?
I understand that some people may be curious, and they can ask me all the questions they want as long as they are not rude I don't mind it...After all i would love to learn about other cultures as well. I think she will be going to Queensland or I think brisbane, if I am not mistaken. Is it expensive in Queensland?
Aussie humor kinda pokes fun at each other, but you should definitely be able to tell if they are being straight out rude. Brisbane is the largest city in Queensland. Be sure to check out Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast...specifically Surfers Paradise (Gold Coast) and Mooloolaba & Noosa Heads (Sunshine Coast). They are great day trips or weekend spots from Brisbane. The Zanzibar Resort was our favorite, great location in Mooloolaba, walk right outside and you have many nice restaurants to choose from and the beach.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
