Bill Bryson was wrong about Canberra!
 

Just got back from a holiday to Canberra. 1st time there and we thought it was great! It was very un-Australian if that makes sense. It seemed to have a much better work ethic and service in the shops was so much more than just jobsworths. The chav to not chav ratio was very small and a very refreshing change. The Bryson book make have been accurate about Canberra a few years ago, but to me it's a proper city now with a definite European class feel to it.

So if like me you are not finding chav Australia to your liking it might be worth you checking out Canberra first before flying home too quick.

Re: Bill Bryson was wrong about Canberra!
 

Quick tell Arkon. Someone his using his name in vain

Re: Bill Bryson was wrong about Canberra!
 

Took a while for my poor brain to work this one out, having spent a week with a much more educated populace it's difficult to dumb your brain down again!

Re: Bill Bryson was wrong about Canberra!
 

None taken!

Re: Bill Bryson was wrong about Canberra!
 

Firiends of ours live there and love it and we visit when we can. I must say that if work allowed it then we would definately move over there. Saying that though we are in the middle of nowhere so it doesn't take much to impress us :rolleyes: ;) .

Nicky

Re: Bill Bryson was wrong about Canberra!
 

Has it changed your mind about going back to the UK , do you plan to stay in Canberra a few years before going back

Re: Bill Bryson was wrong about Canberra!
 

Looks like someones stolen his username and pretending to be Arkon. :eek:
Theres no way the real Arkon would say customer service and work ethic is good in OZ :confused: :confused:

Re: Bill Bryson was wrong about Canberra!
 

I was wondering the same thing. I hear people saying try somewhere else before heading back but it is often harder to do when you are tied to work.
Nicky

Re: Bill Bryson was wrong about Canberra!
 

I'm with Bill Bryson on this one, but each to his own!

Re: Bill Bryson was wrong about Canberra!
 

Just curious - Have you actually visited Canberra - or just founding your opinion on a book?

Re: Bill Bryson was wrong about Canberra!
 

Hi,

Why didn't you let me know you was coming - I would have liked to have met you.

Glad you liked it here :)

Re: Bill Bryson was wrong about Canberra!
 

I agree that BB got it wrong about Canberra. It's amazing how people can give the wrong impression of a place when they have a blinkered view.

Re: Bill Bryson was wrong about Canberra!
 

Whatever Bill Bryson's personal views on Canberra, he told it all in such a funny and entertaining way! We went to Canberra once, and I'm sorry to say we did actually agree with Bill Bryson, but then again we were in a bit of a hurry and didn't actually manage to find the "real" Canberra. We couldn't see where people lived, and the city centre was dead as a dodo - it was as though everybody had just left the city and gone home, which was probably true, even though it was about 4.00 in the afternoon. I would like to visit again to see what we missed out on, as I am interested in the opinions of those who live there. We have a friend in Australia who is from Canberra and raves about the place so I would like to see it again when we're in less of a hurry.

Re: Bill Bryson was wrong about Canberra!
 

Good for you - you certainly missed the 'real' Canberra - but it all depends on what your priorities are I suppose

Re: Bill Bryson was wrong about Canberra!
 

Our priorities were getting to our next accommodation before dark, and a longer drive than anticipated! Otherwise I think we would have been able to spend a lot more time in the city. I would certainly give it another chance. :)