worzel

I went for a sundowner after work last night and when I got off the train at Joondalup I had half an hour to kill before Sam could pick me up as she was collecting our daughter from Guides first. No worries - I popped into the Old Bailey for a pint.

There I was sat alone at a table and a guy walks up and asks to sit down at my table (despite the next one being empty) so yeah, alright.

Maybe he fancies me? Then I notice he is carrying a yellow official looking envelope and shaking like a leaf. My first guess is he has been to the hospital for test results and had some bad news. But after the first minute of conversation he tells me he has just been to court for beating up his girlfriend - he "only did it the once". The shaking is permanent.

Three years ago in that situation I would have been out of there like a rat up a drainpipe. But, hey, I don't really have anywhere else to go and this is more interesting a conversation than talking about the weather so I stuck with it.

I just thought I would share that with you all as it sums up quite nicely how much more relaxed / confident I am these days

Mairead

Sitting here with my OH and laughing at the post. Me the wife says I hope you didn't tell your wife, my husbands response was did he get any tips from him!!! Still laughing!!!

Whingin Pom

I found that people don't judge orthers as quick as in the UK, I can see what you mean by changeing you, there was a time I would like to think the bloke would have got a good kickin but now its like well hang on its not as cut and dry as him being a wife beater.

rodandhayley

she may have deserved it (tongue in cheek)

Nu-Shooz

Allsorts of strange un's go in that pub...including you Worzel

worzel

I think that has hit the nail on the head - I was comfortable being with all the other nutters

Catch

some birds like a bit of rough

Carrianne

Funnily enough, we also noticed (not wife beating) or should I say my husband noticed as a tradesman over here, that the BLOKES would really talk openly to him about there personal lives whether he wanted to know or not and not only that how they feel. Like I am so upset that my wife ......

Nothing wrong with that but, my hubby is Scottish and a Trady and they are not generally known for all that EMOTIONAL stuff

I too have found people telling me there life stories such as today in the queue at coles. I think some people are just so open and happy to tell you about them.
The difference here is they are on your side and the side of the Battler. I too have to pinch myself after nearly 4 years and say these people are ok your in Oz

Streaks

You'll be throwing sickies next every Monday and Friday

FluffyTheCampfireSlayer

Have noticed that meself........think it boils down to that fact that Aussies see everyone as equal. There's none of this, 'we're better than you' mallarkey like back in the UK. Maybe helps them to talk openly knowing they're not going to be judged?

ozzieeagle

Great feeling isn't it

I was always more open than most in the UK, which caused a little bit of angst amongst people I accompanied, especially if I were to engage in a coversation with a stranger that needed a ear. Aussie really suits that side of my personality.

Nikki.P

You know you so right. I've always been fairly laid back but most of my workmates who are aussies think I'm one of the most laid back people they have ever met....and coming from Australians that saying something!!!!!!!!

The OH has definately chilled a fair bit, lets be honest if you can't beat em....join em!!!!

Nikki

midwife-mandy

I am going to love Oz I attract nutters in the Uk

BadgeIsBack

Yup Ozzieeagle!

It's so easy to hype up the negative aspects and seemingly social quirks of Australia that people forget- the pace of life is slower, and that often people have their own brand of tolerance. The way people chat on the tram etc. Sure people can seem very slow or relaxed even slapdash but the benefits are all these things people report.

Occasionally you meet a Uk person off the boat still at a million miles an hour, or remember life or a situation elsewhere and remember. It is very noticeable on arrival in the UK how fast everything is.

I like it!

Dreamer

I hope that's the case with other things aswell and not just wife beaters! I really like the sound of that, the thought of being accepted warts and all sounds lovely (not that ive got any lol)