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Shortly after moving to Perth, Australia in March 2012, I decided to go to a trivia night both because I love trivia and also as a way to meet people. Although I don’t think I walked away with any new friends, I did learn some key details about Australian life. After a bit of small talk and socializing, the trivia got underway, although it was a question that came up after the first half hour that really caught my attention.

“What important Australian event takes place on the same day as the Election Day in the United States?”

As the lone American on my trivia team, all eyes immediately turned to me. I shrugged and tried to adjust my facial expression to indicate just how clueless I was. “I have no idea, sorry.”

After a few panicked moments among the Aussies, someone turned to me and asked, “but when is the US election?”

At least that was a question I could help with. “The 1^st Tuesday in November.”

Suddenly all of the Australians instantly knew the answer: Melbourne Cup Day. Affectionately known as “the race that stops a nation,” Melbourne Cup Day really does dominate life in Australia in the days leading up to it and of course, on race day itself.

Around six months after that trivia night, I was preparing to have the full Melbourne Cup Day experience in November 2012, channeling my inner Aussie. Which, occurring on a Tuesday, meant it happened at the office with my coworkers.

I had only worked in the US before, and Australian workplaces overall are a lot more relaxed than American ones. For example, “morning tea” and “afternoon tea” were 15-minute tea/coffee breaks codified in my work contract, and several people in my office had no problem shifting their work hours earlier or later to accommodate daily visits to the beach for swimming or surfing. But the most relaxed day I had working there was definitely on Melbourne Cup Day.

Things to expect on the day:

What to Wear. Start by envisioning the finest, most proper British horse race you can conjure, with a bit of a fashion twist. Of course, attending the Melbourne Cu p in person is a procession of fine outfits from head to toe. Even for those like us in the office who planned to watch the race together on the TV though, dressing up was fairly universal. Coworkers arrived in smart slacks and, posh dresses accessorized with fascinators, those fancy and sometimes elaborate small British hats with lace or other adornment (think Kate Middleton). Even if you were not there to witness it in person, you certainly dressed for the races.

Where to Watch. The pub, of course! Being that we were in Perth, several hours earlier than Melbourne, the races began early, with the main event taking place at noon. So after the gossipy buzz that infused work that morning, we all headed to the pub around 11am to claim our table and get situated for the big race. There is limited capacity to be at the Flemington Racecourse itself, so even if you’re in Melbourne (where the day is a public holiday!) the next best thing is to watch in a large group of friends or coworkers. In our case, we had organized a potluck lunch and enjoyed the pub refreshments to complete the festive atmosphere.

Betting. This is the same society that takes bets on the name of the next royal baby, the winner of The Voice starting in week one, and pretty much anything you can think of that has more than one possible outcome. Lines to bet in person on any of the races on Melbourne Cup Day wrapped around blocks, so that was also the day I set up an account for Australian on-line betting, which I only used just that once. There of course was also an office pool to bet on the race’s outcome.

Between the office pool and my single online bet, I actually did quite well – doubling my money! But don’t get too excited as I’m not much of a betting gal. Overall, I wagered 15 Australian dollars, and had a whopping 30 by the end of the day. But feeling like I had gotten an authentic Australian experience of Melbourne Cup Day.

Now 4 years later, again the US election looms, which means it is time for Melbourne Cup Day once again. There is actually a nuance to the way both the American Election Day in the States and Melbourne Cup Day is calculated so this year “the race that stops a nation” will take place the previous week, on November 1^st. Why, you ask? Well, the Melbourne Cup races take place every year on November’s first Tuesday, no matter what. US Election Day’s scheduling is a little more particular, occurring the Tuesday after the 1^st Monday in November – this year, falling on Tuesday, November 8^th.

How will *you* be spending this Melbourne Cup Day?

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