I'm writing an assignment about intercultural communication, and the experiences of people who have come to Australia from different cultural and language backgrounds. Particular focus is on situations where the language and/or cultural barrier affected communication including verbal, non-verbal, conversation styles, humour, mannerisms, etc. For example I know a few French people that think that Australians tell the most boring stories, because we don't include anything personal or emotional in them. Plus some people from other cultures think it's weird that in Aus we ask "How are you" as a greeting without expecting or wanting to hear a real answer or start a conversation.
So I'm keen to hear what it has been like for people navigating these kinds of things in everyday contact with others, i.e. whether awkward situations were just awkward, or got resolved, or resulted in discrimination or other harms. Thanks to anyone that shares their stories.