That would be so annoying! And I can totally see people asking him to say that.....probably ten years ago I would have been one of those people

Okay, some things that I noticed (I am from a small country town, btw):

- The overly-friendly shop assistants who wanted to chit chat about nothing in particular even when I was just browsing. At first I thought it was a refreshing change from robotic-like Japanese shop assistants, but after the 3rd or 4th shop it just got annoying.

- the way people walked: slowly and swayed from side to side, meaning that to pass by I had to make a wide berth otherwise I'd bump into them.

- And I know this is going to make some people pissed off - but being surrounded by the Aussie accent...it just grated on my ears. I never realised how strong and nasal it was. Though when I am in Tokyo I love to hear it as it makes me feel homesick. My own accent, though still Aussie, has softened, as has most people's native country accent has in Japan.

American people told me that they really got sick and tired of Aussies having a go at them for being American. They said they never let up on it.

Oh and here is another thing I am very curious to know - do Australians always joke about foreigners trying vegemite? In Japan they have 'natto' which is fermented soya beans and many Japanese love it and eat it every day. I have been asked a thousand times "Can you eat natto?? <snicker snicker>" and I have to play along with their 'joke' to be polite, even though I hear this constantly! Is it ditto with the vegemite?