British Expats

British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)
-   Australia (https://britishexpats.com/forum/australia-54/)
-   -   Biggest Shock? (https://britishexpats.com/forum/australia-54/biggest-shock-219541/)

lostkiwi Mar 24th 2004 2:35 am

Biggest Shock?
 
Of those (lucky B*tards) that have made the move - what was the single biggest surprise / shock good or bad that you had after arriving - what were you least expecting or prepared for?

I remember moving from Auckland to Melb (back in the 70's - stuck in Southampton at the mo)... the day we arrived it happened to be about 42 degrees, that took my breath away (and I was used to NZ summers)... I then jumped in a taxi with vinyl seats wearing shorts - 3rd degree burns to my legs were a surprise too! :D :D :D

Bordy Mar 24th 2004 4:06 am

Biggest shock I got after moving to Melbourne was waking up one morning & seeing my first Huntsman on the ceiling above me. Don't think Ive ever got out of bed that quick before or since.
;)

Barbara 2003 Mar 24th 2004 4:40 am

The size of the cockroaches!

soapy© Mar 24th 2004 4:52 am

Re: Biggest Shock?
 

Originally posted by lostkiwi
Of those (lucky B*tards) that have made the move - what was the single biggest surprise / shock good or bad that you had after arriving - what were you least expecting or prepared for?

I remember moving from Auckland to Melb (back in the 70's - stuck in Southampton at the mo)... the day we arrived it happened to be about 42 degrees, that took my breath away (and I was used to NZ summers)... I then jumped in a taxi with vinyl seats wearing shorts - 3rd degree burns to my legs were a surprise too! :D :D :D
now look what youve started. its all bad already lol

soapy

callé Mar 24th 2004 4:57 am


Originally posted by Barbara 2003
The size of the cockroaches!
just how big are the cockroaches?:eek:

soapy© Mar 24th 2004 4:59 am


[i]Originally posted by callë_›/i]
just how big are the cockroaches?:eek:
this:scared: BIG
:D

Bordy Mar 24th 2004 5:46 am

Not as big as the Damned Huntsman !!!!

Pollyana Mar 24th 2004 8:03 am

Definitely the cockroaches. Been warned about the spiders, no-one mentioned cockroaches! And they fly too.......:scared:

soapy© Mar 24th 2004 8:07 am


Originally posted by Pollyana
Definitely the cockroaches. Been warned about the spiders, no-one mentioned cockroaches! And they fly too.......:scared:
are u sure it wasnt an eagle:D :D

Pollyana Mar 24th 2004 8:18 am

No, eagles are more attractive! And would have broken the keyboard when it landed on it while I was typing!!!
Besides The Bloke was following it round the room with some sort of spray stuff which seemed to indicate it shouldn't have been in here!

bondipom Mar 24th 2004 8:18 am

Seeing 4 litres of wine for $10 and seeing bookies and ATMs in pubs

jib Mar 24th 2004 9:16 am


Originally posted by bondipom
Seeing 4 litres of wine for $10 and seeing bookies and ATMs in pubs

So you withdrew $50, spent $10 on drink and lost the rest on the gee gee's:D




jib

hevs Mar 24th 2004 9:23 am

the bin men coming on public holidays:D

jayr Mar 24th 2004 10:32 am

Early sunsets

Ceri Mar 24th 2004 10:40 am

Re: Biggest Shock?
 
The very first time I landed here- ie first week/ first impressions

what I can remember that first shocked me:
Pubs/restaurants/takeaways closing early. Saturday afternoon shops closed. Not being able to get some food at 9pm ( I don't live in the CBD) . Houses .. say no more , but I thought when I saw half of them I was stuck in the Walton's show. .. I couldn't believe why some people were living in "wooden" "fibro" type caravans (they reminded me of the old British army housing for families) homes when they have bush fires here.
Bins only being collected once a week, when I was used to everyday collections (try everyday for a warm country for hygiene reasons)
Driving style.- Thought it was as bad as Asia, I was expecting people to drive better here.
The amount of "pokies" .. I couldn't get over how I would go into the local social club and see people, old, young couples sit there all night throwing money into these machines all night , very social! .. never seen anything like it before... like zombies.
Supermarkets, they remind of something out of the the third world, seen better veggies in my bin.

loads more but my list would be to long .. and that's just the first week!


cheers:)
P.S

Good things (minus the nature) - drive through bottle shops , also being able to dress down.. I don't feel like a slob here :D night in the pub consists of me chucking on a pair of jeans and an old T-shirt, with unbrushed hair.. and scruffy walking boots and not feeling out of place.

NJFOZ Mar 24th 2004 10:47 am

Re: Biggest Shock?
 

Originally posted by lostkiwi
Of those (lucky B*tards) that have made the move - what was the single biggest surprise / shock good or bad that you had after arriving - what were you least expecting or prepared for?


Out in my garden the other evening I was picking up my kids toys - plastic snakes, plastic spiders etc etc - he's a little Steve Irwin.

The only thing was that one of the spiders was not plastic, scared me s#*tless and made me scream like a 6 year old girl.

Worst bit was when mini Steve came out and went "Ah dad its only a baby one........."

Bix Mar 24th 2004 10:48 am

Re: Biggest Shock?
 

Originally posted by Ceri
Good things (minus the nature) - drive through bottle shops , also being able to dress down.. I don't feel like a slob here :D night in the pub consists of me chucking on a pair of jeans and an old T-shirt, with unbrushed hair.. and scruffy walking boots and not feeling out of place.
But I'm sure you turn a head or two ;)

renth Mar 24th 2004 11:31 am

Re: Biggest Shock?
 
Biggest shock?

The fact that almost everyone in Perth's northern suburbs is British.

bondipom Mar 24th 2004 12:25 pm


Originally posted by jib
So you withdrew $50, spent $10 on drink and lost the rest on the gee gee's:D




jib
I have resisted the GGs but those goons gave a great start to a night out.

Bordy Mar 24th 2004 2:49 pm

This Goon likes the odd $10 on a horse, I love the bookies in the pub, there are some very sad people that sit there drinking & betting all day & night though while there wives are on the Pokies. That bit of Australian life doesn't interest me.

Trevglas Mar 25th 2004 11:12 pm

The motto of Australian Gamblers Anonymous?

"I bet I can stop gambling before you!"

hevs Mar 26th 2004 8:20 am


Originally posted by Bordy
there are some very sad people that sit there drinking & betting all day & night though while there wives are on the Pokies. That bit of Australian life doesn't interest me.
Yeah, yeah!!:D

Just a quick thing i learnt yesterday whilst in the big smoke. We parked at the casino and had a walk round (very posh!!) and i commented on the amount of security every where. Apparently they have a real problem with people leaving their KIDS IN CARS!! whilst they go off to gamble for a FEW HOURS:rolleyes: so security is ever vigilent. They must have it real bad..............


All times are GMT -12. The time now is 2:28 pm.

Powered by vBulletin: ©2000 - 2026, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.