An American living in Sydney has captured the hearts of Australians online after sharing her journey of embracing a quintessential Aussie courtesy – and even teaching her visiting mother the ropes.
The simple act of thanking a bus driver upon alighting has become a viral sensation, highlighting a small but significant cultural difference.
Brooke, a 32-year-old from Minnesota who has called Sydney home for three years, recently took her mother, Missy, on a bus ride.
Before they disembarked, Brooke issued a clear instruction: “Are you ready to be Australian?” she asked, preparing her mum for the customary, cheerful “thank you” to the driver.
Missy’s initial hesitation, questioning if she could be “too loud,” was met with Brooke’s emphatic “Yeah, you can!”
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American woman Brooke who has been living in Sydney shared a video where she told her visiting mother about the common Aussie public transport practice of shouting out ‘thank you’ to the bus driver as you exit. Source @brooke.alison.laven via Instagram
This exchange, captured in a delightful video shared on Brooke’s Instagram account, @brooke.alison.laven, has since garnered over 455,000 views.
Brooke revealed to the Daily Mail that she discovered this unspoken public transport ritual only months after arriving in Sydney.
“I felt a little embarrassed the first time I did it – and so did my mum because it brings attention to you in public,” she admitted, a sentiment her mother echoed.
“But after doing it a few times it feels more normal and you feel good for telling the driver thanks.”
The video culminates with Missy, after tapping off her Opal card, delivering a slightly loud and not entirely confident, but ultimately heartfelt, “Thank you!”
The lighthearted caption, “Making sure my mum does things the Aussie way,” resonated deeply with local viewers.
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Brooke’s Instagram video showed her briefing her mother Missy on how to correctly execute the ‘thank you’ shout to the bus driver. Source @brooke.alison.laven via Instagram
The comments section quickly filled with praise and amusement.
“She nailed it,” declared one Australian, while another agreed,
“Perfect. Spot on.”
Many commended Brooke for introducing her mother to this cherished cultural moment, with one person remarking, “You are a good egg.”
The simple act of gratitude extends beyond passenger sentiment.
Transport for NSW’s co-ordinator general, Howard Collins, expressed his admiration for the practice.
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Brooke has been living in Australia for the past three years. Source: @brooke.alison.laven via Instagram
“It might seem small, but it says a lot. It shows respect for the people who keep our city moving every day,” he told the Daily Mail.
The viral video also sparked a broader discussion among Australians, with many expressing surprise that this custom isn’t universal.
“I wonder why we do this, apart from common courtesy,” one Australian mused.
“I love that we do.” Others shared anecdotes of overseas experiences that underscored the uniqueness of the Australian tradition, including an American friend’s observation that “Australians were odd: ‘You sit in the front seat of taxis and say thank you to the bus driver’.”
English (US) · 