By Krystin Arneson
One of the best parts of traveling by yourself is the people you meet. I met Nate at the hostel (poor college grad here) I was staying at in Granada, an old city in southern Spain with gorgeous Islamic-influenced architecture and flamenco dancing in the gypsy caves that surround the center. We started chatting on a tour of the city and then made plans the next day to get up early to go see the Alhambra, a Moorish palace complex that draws most of the tourists to the city. Nate found out I hadn’t yet had Granada tapas, and we were starving after a morning spent hiking in 104-degree heat, so he took me and two others from the hostel that had joined us on a tour of the city’s tapas offerings, food which happens to be free when you order a drink (of any sort).
Full disclaimer: Everything was totally platonic, so no juicy stories today. But Nate, like literally every single other Australian guy I met, was so much fun. And I always meet Australians—like, so many I actually looked up some numbers, which is really hard to do for a writer first thing in the morning. But seriously, it’s shocking: Last year, there were 7.8 million vacations taken out of Australia, and 32 percent of them were to places other than the South Pacific, China, New Zealand or the States. And because the third and fourth-highest group of travellers fall into the 25- to 34-year-old range, if you go abroad, it’s decently likely you’re going to meet one of these lovely men.
If you do (you lucky girl!) or if you’re on the scout for one, there are a few things you should be aware of:
- They are so, so, so, so, so nice. The guys are some of the friendliest I’ve ever met, and they’re incredibly social. Making plans with them is easy, even if you’ve only been chatting with them for a while — they’re always up for something!
- The way to an Australian man’s heart is through sports. I mean, not all of us wake up on Sunday mornings and watch a recap of the latest Cronulla Sharks rugby game, but bringing up the r-word will get any guy talking. Also, cheeky hint: They have a version of American football, aptly called Australian football, so that just opens up all sorts of conversational possibilities.
- It can be hard to tell if they’re into you or not. They’re kind of American in that way (in fact, in a lot of ways), so you’re not going to be able to tell as easily. On the flip side though, if you have a totally platonic relationship with one, it’s going to be really genuine and strong.
- Outback Steakhouse is not Australia. Most Australians watch Outback Steakhouse commercials with a deep and potent loathing.
- Drinks are terribly expensive in Australia (I’ve been told $19 is the going rate for a cocktail), so when in Europe or the States, those who do like a cold beer generally don’t mind taking advantage of the lower prices.
- That being said, don’t order him a Fosters.
- Also, don’t ask if he wants to head over to your vacation rental later for “shrimp on the barbie.”
- Nearby sidenote: Guys from New Zealand tend to be pretty outdoorsy. I mean, if I lived on a beautiful island covered in mountains and forests and beautiful rivers, I’d probably never be inside. So if camping and watersports and the occasional adrenaline rush are your thing, you’re in luck!
