Sales Tax and Tips in Australia

One major change I’ve noticed while being out and about in Australia is the inclusion of taxes and tips on any product. Instead of adding taxes after the purchase cost of an item or calculating your tip for a server, both are included up front down under.

It’s incredibly awesome and simple. I wish the United States would follow suit.

When I see something costs $10 at a restaurant, that doesn’t mean I’ll ultimately pay around $15 with taxes and tips. Nope, it means its $10 because they’re already included.

Why isn’t it this way back home? It seems like a win/win situation. Also, servers would finally make the pay they deserve, instead of getting screwed over by bad tippers and crappy customers.  People would also be less confused by the sudden addition of a tax percent.

Now, it may not seem like much, but it’s so nice and easy. It will definitely be hard for me to get used to the U.S. system after leaving here. My fingers are crossed that a miracle happens and it shifts to the Aussie way.

Our Location

For those curious about the whereabouts on my new living quarters, here's the precise destination on the map.


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Work in Progress

Things may be moving at a snail’s pace on this blog, but down under it’s completely the opposite.

As I said previously, I have moved into an apartment with my girlfriend, Brandyn, and my good friends, Rich and Seamus. Our goal was to find a place close to the beach, and to say we accomplished that task would be an understatement.

We secured a place about two blocks away from Manly Beach, which connects to another reserve beach that sports a park and cliffs. Then, behind the apartment, there’s a fantastic harbor that also features a wharf for ferry rides to downtown Sydney. Wrapping the package together, the beach boasts volleyball nets, surf lessons, crystal clear water, rocky cliffs that hug both sides of the horizon and a smooth running/biking lane to exercise.

It gets better. Everything anyone could think of basically sits at our fingertips. The grocery is three blocks away. A corso, or walking strip -- containing shops, eateries and bars – sits merely three blocks away, too. We also have a laundry mat four doors down, since we don’t have internal laundry, and every other type of business within a four-block radius. It is truly amazing.

But, there must be a catch. And there is.

The apartment we secured, which we found for a very reasonable price, was basically in shambles. The walls were stained yellow, ceilings filled with cracks and dust, floors littered with cockroaches and, basically, the place looked like it suffered through some type of natural disaster, like a flood or hurricane.

But, through the wreckage, the place seemed like a gem. Hardwood floors run throughout, the location has a bathroom, huge kitchen, enormous living room and two considerably big bedrooms. Last, but not least, a porch hovers in front, giving us a place to relax – well, once it’s cleaned up some.

I’ll admit this: If it were just I looking at the apartment, I wouldn’t have ever come back. But Brandyn, sporting the house-flipping attitude, and Seamus knew we could do it. I believed in them, and so it began.

So, the overhaul started Monday and continues onward as we speak. So far, the kitchen, living room and both bedrooms have been bleached, mopped, and painted. It’s really mind-blowing to understand how much things have changed in this place in only 5 short days. When we moved in Monday, I was disgusted to touch anything.

But as I type this, I walk around barefoot and gladly lay around. I’m also sitting on bed with my laptop, but unfortunately, internet access is still a work in progress, too. This will go up as is, but it’s not hitting the web as soon as it should.

Even so, things really couldn’t be better. Hopefully, I can provide pictures of Balmain Harbour and the apartment soon.

No Internet Access ...

Leads to a lot of problems updating this blog.

Even though the hostel I'm staying at advertised free Wi-Fi, there is none. Apparently, backpackers used up all the broadband before I arrived there, leaving me crossing the street to pay for internet in a small grocery.

But, all is well. Today, I move out to my new apartment. I'll have pictures, location and more soon.

Hope everyone is doing well and cheers!

Hello, Mates

I have arrived in Sydney, Australia.

After 28 hours or so of traveling, I finally hit Australian soil around 7 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24. And let me tell you, the wait was worth it.

After a dust storm invaded the city Wednesday, the weather was immaculate Thursday. There was barely a cloud in the sky, and the warm sun felt perfect, without barely a hint of humidity. Not a bad way to start off spring in the country.

As for sight-seeing, Brandyn and I walked around Balmain Harbour for about an hour. It was pretty breath-taking, with cool blue water gently overturning, boats swaying on the surface and the backdrop of downtown Sydney hovering in the distance. We were also pumped that there's a fantastic running/walking route that hugs the water and circles around the place. I can't wait to throw on my running kicks and adventure around the area some more.

Still, the thing that has most likely frozen me in my tracks the most is the excessive use of the word "mates." I thought that mates was just a stereotype of Australians, sort of like how all French people supposedly stink or all Russians just drink vodka and wear awesome hates.

At first, I thought it was like a joke on me. I figured the locals realized I was a tourist and were just trying to live up to the hype, or whatever you would like to call it. But this is no joke.

Whether you venture to the grocery, park, or local pub, you will no longer be referred by any name, but instead as mate. Thus, there's no doubt I'll be slinging the word around minute-by-minute after about a week. Heck, it's already starting to creep into my vocabulary after about one day.

So until next time, take care, mates.