Hello!...I have been in Sydney now for 3 weeks and all seemed to be going fairly well apart from the incredible homesickness that I had been suffering from. Last night I went out with some people from work, we all probably had a little too much to drink and someone who I haven't really clicked with made a comment about me and the brits that was really rude. Has anyone else found this?

I have never had this before and so it made me even more homesick

Homesick for all those rude people back there? I'm sorry, but rude people are everywhere (especially when drunk). Racial prejudice is equally ubiquitous. It crops up here often enough!

As I`ve lived in both countries, and am Australian, I can honestly say that there has always been more animosity in Aus against the English than there is in the UK against the Aussies. I don`t know exactly why, but I think also that alot of those truly hateful people (as opposed to the people who are just taking the `p` and having a joke) are actually of Italian, Greek etc origin/descent. Again, I don`t know why.

Put it this way. In the UK you could paint an Aussie flag on the roof of your car and no-one would mind. In Aus if you painted a Union Jack on the roof or bonnet your car would be vandalised within a month... probably within a week.

I`m ashamed of this particular attitude of my countrymen who have forgotten their roots. Maybe it`s jealousy as the UK has alot more history and culture, or historical because of Gallipoli. Whichever, I`m proud of being Australian, and also proud of my English and Scottish heritage.

U sure it wasnt said tongue in cheek? theres often some banter between aussies and brits - just look at some of the posts on this forum - its mostly good natured

Hubby works with a broad range of people, including Asians, Somalians etc he was amazed at the race remarks that goes on between the different races.
The difference he says is that to a certain extent they are made in fun and are taken as such. If the remarks were made in the UK he said most people would take offence. He has learnt to be taken fun of and now understands that it is somehow a way of life here that we all live together and can take the mickey out of each other.
Dunno if this helps or explains anything, being here is certainly an eye opener, Steve's old boss constantly took the mickey, but was a great guy, he actually said he rips him to bits so much as a pom because the British didn't do a good enough job of cleansing Australia they way they did Taz! I don't think the English get it half as bad as the aboriginal race over here.

Jenny

I would be more worried if it was someone I had clicked with. I got alot of barbed comments when I was in Britain about being Australian. Some people just can't see the person behind the nationality regardless of where it is. Sometimes the hardest thing about being in a new country is being defined by where you come from rather than by who you are. That person is rude and you will be glad you don't have to try and click with them in future!!

Cheers for that folks.

It was definitely not said in a "fun" way. I get the normal banter at work and this was something very very different, and I think I felt worse because I was in an area of Sydney I don't know and just wanted to go back to the UK after that. Its now made me want to stay and show them even more!!! I had heard off lots of people that some aussies can be abrupt and rude and racist but I think it was my first taste of it.

Just have to grow hard shoulders!! Cheers again

That's the spirit!

yeh give it a traditional British Stiff upper lip!!!!

Hmmmmmm....

We've been here for 2 years, socialise a lot, have loads of Aussie mates, & I work in the building trade.
I can honestly say that we've never once had and snide remarks or animosity directed towards us by any Australians.
If anything it's been the opposite. Aussies proudly claiming that they had a Scottish Great Granny or something!

you've hit the nail on the head with that one!

I've found if you have a Welsh,Scottish or Irish accent they'll ask/tell you of their old roots and how they're Welsh,Scottish or Irish,if you're English they treat you like dirt,well In Victoria anyhow..........

Perhaps you had not about you the scent of HomeLonging that excites low instincts.

Very poetically put, but you're right.

We've had our share of bad breaks since we came over, (including my back!), but we've never once been homesick.
Australia is our home now, & I reckon we've faded into the Australian ambience
like chameleons...

l think if your feeling homesick and perhaps looking for a reason to go home you may imagine there an anti- British sentiment and take jokes seriously or be offended over minor things.