American expat discovers the unspoken rule on Sydney buses Nailed it

An American living in Sydney has wholeheartedly embraced an Aussie courtesy custom – and has now even taught her visiting mum to do the same.

Minnesota woman Brooke took her mother Missy for a ride on a bus, explaining that there was one very Australian act she simply had to do before she got off.

That is, she needed to call out a big and cheery ‘thank you’ to the bus driver before stepping out the door.

‘Are you ready to be Australian?’ Brooke, 32, asked her mum in an exchange captured on video.

As the mother and daughter rode the bus, Brooke gave clear instructions on how exactly Missy should deliver her message of gratitude.

‘Say a big “Thank you” when you get off the bus,’ Brooke explained.

However, the US mother was concerned about the volume of her greeting.

‘Well, I can’t be too loud, yeah?’ Missy questioned. But Brooke interjected: ‘Yeah, you can!’

Brooke, who has lived in Australia for three years, told Daily Mail that she discovered the unspoken public transport rule only a few months after arriving in Sydney – noting it was unlike anything she’d seen elsewhere.

After observing the ritual play out several times during her frequent bus rides, she said she eventually mustered up the courage to try it herself.

‘I felt a little embarrassed the first time I did it – and so did my mum because it brings attention to you in public,’ Brooke explained.

‘But after doing it a few times it feels more normal and you feel good for telling the driver thanks.’

The delightful video, shared on her @brooke.alison.laven Instagram, has already been viewed over 455,000 times and ends with Missy following the typical Aussie bus departure ritual.

After tapping off her Opal card, Brooke’s mum proceeds – a bit loudly, and not entirely confidently – to shout out, ‘Thank you!’

The Instagram post is light-heartedly captioned: ‘Making sure my mum does things the Aussie way’.

The video quickly lit up with replies from amused Aussies.

‘She nailed it,’ declared one local.

‘Perfect. Spot on,’ agreed another.

Others praised Brooke for introducing her mum to this cherished cultural moment.

‘You are a good egg,’ one person replied.

Transport for NSW’s coordinator general Howard Collins told Daily Mail he has always been impressed by ‘the simple decency of people saying “thank you” as they step off a bus’.

‘It might seem small, but it says a lot. It shows respect for the people who keep our city moving every day,’ the Transport for NSW spokesperson said.

Many locals who viewed Brooke’s video were surprised to learn that this practice wasn’t universal – and even questioned where the tradition had even started.

‘I wonder why we do this, apart from common courtesy,’ one Australian mused. ‘I love that we do.’

Others shared overseas encounters that made them realise thanking the bus driver on departure is a truly Aussie experience.

‘I had an American friend visit me and tell me Australians were odd: “You sit in the front seat of taxis and say thank you to the bus driver”,’ reflected one commenter.

Another mother wrote that her ‘little Aussie children caused quite a stir saying “thank you” one at a time to the London bus drivers.’

Ultimately, several replies felt that this seemingly simple act should always have a place in Australian society.

‘Someone’s just driven you safely to your destination. They very much deserve a thank you. A hi or hello when you board is nice, too,’ said one person.

‘Never rude to say “thank you” loud and proud,’ chimed in another.

A third person agreed: ‘It makes the drivers feel appreciated and it just brightens up people’s days.’