Aussie Signage & Goods

It’s funny what things you begin to notice when you’re taken out of your own little world and transported into the foreign. If you’re American, and especially if you’re from California like me, the following photo gallery will entertain you.

Here is my ongoing collection of snapshots featuring signage and other goods in Australia:

Golden Gaytime is an iconic ice-cream brand

I love how “dog” and “poo” are in all caps!

“Love your city? Bin your butts.”

How does one actually “drink” driving? The word drink is either a noun or a verb, not an adjective. Oh Australia, get your grammar in order.

Dear America, this might help future generations fight obesity.

I don’t get it either. I miss American TARGET.

They’re not “bathrooms” or “restrooms” here–they are toilets.

Only in Australia are there ads for bananas.

The poor US Dollar. It isn’t worth much here or anywhere else.

Who has time to read all these while driving?

Loose change in Australia is a $2 coin.

Yes, this spot is reserved for cops at the local McDonald’s.

An ice cream named after Buffalo Bill! But do Aussies even know who he is?

What I like to call the “Michael Jackson” signs–they signal a pedestrian crossing.

Tony Roma’s is here but of course, overpriced!

PinkBerry didn’t make it here, but YummyBerry did.

My memory is probably failing me but I don’t remember there being actual fines for skateboarders in the US.

“Car Park” is actually a parking lot, not an area of lush open land specifically created in which vehicles may freely commune with other vehicles to play and have picnics.

“Choca-block” was the first Aussie slang I ever saw in print on a public sign (at Red Rooster).

Known as “The Gap,” this scenic point is a notorious location for committing suicide.

Apparently, we have gravel the size of boulders here.

Comforting, isn’t it?

Why not just say “Caution” instead of “High Pedestrian Activity”

Boba ads on buses because people actually use buses here.

What is “Refuge Island?” It sounds safe, but how do we get there?

Not “krispies” but “bubbles.” Yes, bubbles.

At a movie theatre.

LOL

Now here’s a sign I recognize!

Just in case you’re a complete idiot who just happened to be smart enough to get your license to drive, here’s step-by-step instructions on how to fill up your tank.

Other signs at gas stations

And this one, too

And everyone thinks Americans are stupid. At least we don’t need to be publicly reminded of this!

Roundabouts. They’re everywhere.

Why buy a second one if it’s going to cost $2 more than the first one?

Yes, city councils in Australia offer places to do graffiti legally. How cool is that?

Aussie slang in print again.

Who has time to read all of this?

What exactly am I supposed to put an “END” to?

Our trash signs usually just say “THANK YOU” but here they say “RUBBISH”

What is a “Mixed Business & Take-Away” and a “Mixed Business” Sandwich?

The variety of beverages sold here. I’m still confused as to why the soda is “creaming.”

Oh you know, it’s just one of the swastikas lining the flooring of the Customs House at Circular Quay.

If an Aussie isn’t stingin’ for a beer, he/she is usually craving a coffee. Even their ice cream trucks sell cappuccinos! Bye Starbucks.

Yes, you can B.Y.O. wine at a local fish & chips shop. Aussies love to drink!

Be thankful you don’t have to pay this much for movies in California.

Apparently, there’s a lot of adult-sized babies in Australia that require their own toilets.

Typical street parking signs. Check out the amount of text they manage to squeeze onto that little space and imagine trying to read all of it while someone’s tailgating you as you’re desperately trying to find a parking spot in the city.