polite and impolite questions in Australia

The ways of approaching people in every countries and polite or impolite questions are different and it’s very interesting. So, I asked about it to my Australian friend named Lisa Clare Mapson who studies in University of Melbourne. She said that ways of approaching people is by make friends and then we will get networking. We can ask about their name, family, job, education background, and hobby. But if there is a person who just met invites us to his or her party, house, or even travel it’s kind of weird or unusual. For avoiding it we should say “No, thanks. Maybe someday.”

Polite questions that we can ask are about family, job, education background, where we live, school, or even ask about boyfriend or girlfriend. But if there’s a person who ask about boyfriend or girlfriend with us it means he or she interests in us. Except he or she is our close friends, it’s normal. But if there’s a person who asks about our address further, we should to curious because he or she has to have the reason.

Impolite questions that we can’t ask are about religion. It’s very sensitive question. Nobody likes to be asked about it. It would be strange if we ask about marriage status. We’d better not to ask but we just see in his or her finger is there any ring or not. Income is not appropriate to be asked, but it’s ok if student asks about it to other students who do part time job. Asking about personal detail beyond his or her name, his and her parents do or their ages, and political preference are strange questions. We have to ask his or her permission if our friends will join in their party. When I asked it to Lisa what is the most question that she ever asked is when she traveled alone, there was a man asked, “Do you travel with your husband?” She answered, “No, I don’t have husband.” And a man kept asking, “Are you sure?” She thinks that it’s kind of weird and it’s a lot.

If they meet people who just met, they should shake hands strongly and introduce their name. They don’t kiss on their cheeks or hug if meet people they just met or their own friends.

And present is common to be given. We can give money for birthday or wedding present.

NB: That is my summary that i have to collect tomorrow on Cross Cultural Understanding class. I interviewed my friends named Mira and Lisa who are from Australia and her friend named Lauren who i just met in karawitan class. But in this summary i just mention Lisa's answers because we ( me and 3 other friends ) have to share their names lol.

Well, i had to find other people who are not Indonesia today but i was so tired of asking questions and i didn't have much time. so, i decide that it's enough. I'm too tired ..