Sports & Clothing

Sports in Australia
Australia has major professional leagues in Australian Rules football (Australian Football League) and rugby league or league football (National Rugby League). However, league football is predominantly only played in Queensland and New South Wales. Rugby union also exists, but I have heard very little about this sport. There are state and national cricket teams. There is a professional soccer league, but I heard nothing about it until after the season was already over. I think there is also a professional netball league. Netball is much like basketball, except there is no backboard, and dribbling and running with the ball is not permitted. As far as I know, the professional league is women only, and while there are co-ed recreational teams, the sport is predominantly played by women. Recreational tennis is fairly common, but public and school tennis courts are locked and are allowed to be played on only for a fee. University sports are played only in a recreational sense.

Sports in the U.S.
The U.S. has major professional leagues in football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, and soccer. Public and school (high school and university) tennis courts are unlocked and open to the public free of charge. College (university) sports require a high degree of talent and skill, are highly competetive, and carry a following similar to that of professional teams.

Clothing in Australia
Pants, shorts, and skirts are worn much tighter in Australia than in the U.S. by both men and women (No, the guys don't wear skirts). Dresses and skirts are also worn a lot shorter. Skinny jeans are not necessarily an indicator of a guy's sexual orientation. Guys wear their shorts, especially athletic shorts, much shorter than American guys do. Shorts are fairly commonly worn to work. Weekend evening going out attire for girls is most often a dressy minidress and very high heels. Tights or pantyhose are almost always black or navy blue. People commonly ride the bus, walk down the street, and go into stores barefoot.

Clothing in the U.S.
Pants, shorts, and skirts are worn much looser in the U.S. than Australia by both men and women. Skinny jeans worn by men are usually only worn by gay men. Mens' shorts, including athletic shorts, are almost always long enough to touch the top of the guy's knees. Shorts are never worn to work and would be considered completely unprofessional. Weekend evening going out attire for girls would most often be jeans and a nice shirt. Pantyhose are almost always skin-colored. Going barefoot in a public place other than the pool or the beach is considered low class. Most businesses (stores, restaurants, etc.) have signs bearing the slogan "No shoes, no shirt, no service", meaning that if you are barefoot or shirtless, they will not serve you.