Culture difference

A common question that I've been asked whenever I tell someone that I used to study in Australia is "Can u fit in there?" or "Is there a big culture difference?" etc. And honestly, because I pretty much hanged out with 99% asians and not ang mohs (Yes I still use the word Ang Moh to represent caucasians. But its still better than using guai lo) thus Australia was a mini-asian town to me with insanely high prices and a quaint lifestyle. I pretty much could fit into most of the "Australian culture" which is to me being laid back (or another word is lazy but lets not go there), drink beer in the afternoon (a stereotype) and a whole lot of other stuff. But of course if you do know me, I do not do any of the above (with the possible exception of the laid back part though not as bad as them). Its not that I cannot understand nor get used to it but rather I rather stick to my own culture's way of life (and at the same time have a mild musing over the funny things they do and later on complain). Well this could be also considered as culture difference (and of course it is) but its not really like that big culture shock peoplel assume I might have.

However there is one thing that really shocked me. I only found this out when I was communicating with my Australian (sort of) friends online whom I met on the MMORPG game WoW. They were telling me how they had no money and how the money was sucked into paying rent. Obviously for any Singaporean or Malaysian or pretty much any asian, I think paying rent means living out on your own. However in Australia, at the age of 18 onwards, it is expected for you to either move out or to pay rent for staying in your parents house. Some of you smart alexs may go "yeah I know that already" or "Didn't you know that?" or "so?". Stuff you! This is pretty much the only culture shock I had regarding Australians.

Though it is far more seldom now, I think it is still normal for children to stay with their parents even when they are older. It is afterall their duty to take care of their parents. Of course later on in life, parents may move into the child's house etc. But whatever the case, paying for rent to stay in your house or your parent's house? Oh please come on. Like at least 90% of Singaporeans only move out when they get married or after 22 or 23 at least. Afterall we are still studying haha. But yes, not going to debate whether paying rent is the right thing to do but its honestly the greatest culture shock (and pretty much the only one I have for Australia)