A Bashful Taste

So, I have been in Australia for almost a week now, but it feels like I have been here for so much longer. It could be the familiarity of the country hitting me as I stepped off the plane, or the excessive amount of traveling I have been doing this past week.  But now I am unpacked and settled in my apartment, so I can finally relax and start calling Sydney my home. 

Outside of Bashful 

Today was my first day at Bashful, and I can honestly say that I am in for an amazing experience.  Bashful is a small agency in the heart of Paddington, an eastern suburb of Sydney that is only a 35-minute walk from my apartment.  It’s a super cool area, and there are a lot of cute boutiques and cafes that tease me as I walk to work.  Maybe one day I will stop for a $5 latte, but until then, the faint smell of fresh coffee beans as I walk by will suffice. 

Instead of writing paragraph by paragraph describing what my first day was like at Bashful, here is a few cultural differences that I experienced only on my first day at an Australian ad agency:

• No one says, “Bless you” when someone sneezes. I have been in five different airports within the past six days and have sat too close for comfort next to five different strangers.  I have lived in a hostel room that probably has had more one night stands than Tucker Max, and my lack of fruit and veggies would have my fifth grade nutrition teacher’s eyes rolling.  Basically, my immune system hates me and I am slowly developing a culture shock-induced cold.  Today, I sneezed so loudly I heard it echo. But no one blessed me.  But that’s okay – maybe by the time I leave here a piece of southern hospitality and the courtesy “bless you” will rub off on some Aussies.
  
• I  don’t understand any of the abbreviations and acronyms.  I’m usually totes ridic good at translating abbreves – but not in the Aussie ad agency! WIPs, SMPs, TVCs, WTFs... (just kidding, WTF is not one, it’s just what I say to myself as I am trying to figure out the meaning of some acronyms and abbreviations).
  
• The more explicit the song, the more appropriate for the workplace.  I have heard of some agencies playing soft music for all to hear, but I never thought Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe would be blasting while I work on the competitor’s audit.
  
• The creative team works independently. There are three Senior Creatives, no Junior Creatives, and they all have their own specific clients that they solely work on.  This doesn’t mean there isn’t any collaboration between creatives, but it's not really welcomed either.
  
• Lastly, the client is always right. Wait, nope, that’s the same in America. 

I will be working most days from 9 am to 6 pm, as there is a lot to be done in very specific deadlines.  I guess stressful deadlines are universal between all countries and ad agencies, so I think I will be able to manage.  I am so excited to be immersed in the Australian ad culture, from witnessing campaign pitches to clients, attending photo shoots and TVC productions, and assisting the Account Director writing campaign briefs.  My Aussie Ad Life has only just begun…!!