Does Australia suffer from inferiority-complex?
Mar 13th 2011, 3:05 pm
#226
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Re: Does Australia suffer from inferiority-complex?
I think it is more of a case of Australians wanting to believe that they are largely a popular country and need external validation. Like a lot of expats really.
Mar 13th 2011, 3:13 pm
#227
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Re: Does Australia suffer from inferiority-complex?
lol
Mar 13th 2011, 3:14 pm
#228
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Re: Does Australia suffer from inferiority-complex?
Controversial as always, I know:
Actually, I feel that this is part of an Australian superiority complex.
I feel that a lot of Australians know that they are largely a popular country to visit and like to revel in it a bit. It's a bit of a joke. Remember - they are the ones who have to listen to the likes of British expats gushing about how 'lovely' it all is. They are the ones who have to constantly listen to people tell them how laid-back it all seems.
When I get visitors I ask the same question - this is because I know that there is every chance they will LOVE the same old things that I loved in turn when I first got off the boat....
...the pace of life...weather...etc the effing penguins down on Philip Island..(strike that one out...)
In my experience, people tend to conveniently not say anything when they know they have underachieved. I mean, if I lived in a shite-hole, do you think I would draw attention to the fact? Just my 2c.
Actually, I feel that this is part of an Australian superiority complex.
I feel that a lot of Australians know that they are largely a popular country to visit and like to revel in it a bit. It's a bit of a joke. Remember - they are the ones who have to listen to the likes of British expats gushing about how 'lovely' it all is. They are the ones who have to constantly listen to people tell them how laid-back it all seems.
When I get visitors I ask the same question - this is because I know that there is every chance they will LOVE the same old things that I loved in turn when I first got off the boat....
...the pace of life...weather...etc the effing penguins down on Philip Island..(strike that one out...)
In my experience, people tend to conveniently not say anything when they know they have underachieved. I mean, if I lived in a shite-hole, do you think I would draw attention to the fact? Just my 2c.
Mar 13th 2011, 3:18 pm
#229
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Re: Does Australia suffer from inferiority-complex?
Mar 13th 2011, 4:35 pm
#230
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Re: Does Australia suffer from inferiority-complex?
>>In my experience, people tend to conveniently not say anything when they know they have underachieved. I mean, if I lived in a shite-hole, do you think I would draw attention to the fact? Just my 2c.<<
Very true - it's the lemon effect. (Those who have bought a dog of a car tend to be reluctant to criticise it because they feel it might reflect on their judgement.)
Very true - it's the lemon effect. (Those who have bought a dog of a car tend to be reluctant to criticise it because they feel it might reflect on their judgement.)
Mar 13th 2011, 4:39 pm
#231
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Re: Does Australia suffer from inferiority-complex?
What I see as important is that Australia is different to many other places people visit. Most Australians realise this. It's not the US, it's not Paris. It's not Slovenia. It's not Austria.
It's on the other side of the world. That is all, really.
If Australia was populated by 100m Indonesians, or 100m Asians, there would be no comparison. The fact is that Australia is a Western country out in the corner and it holds a fascination with people all over the world.
The only expats that need validation are the ignorant ones who are too stupid to realise that you can't transport Little England out to Little Australia and expect it to work.
Mar 13th 2011, 4:42 pm
#232
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Re: Does Australia suffer from inferiority-complex?
>>In my experience, people tend to conveniently not say anything when they know they have underachieved. I mean, if I lived in a shite-hole, do you think I would draw attention to the fact? Just my 2c.<<
Very true - it's the lemon effect. (Those who have bought a dog of a car tend to be reluctant to criticise it because they feel it might reflect on their judgement.)
Very true - it's the lemon effect. (Those who have bought a dog of a car tend to be reluctant to criticise it because they feel it might reflect on their judgement.)
It's a means of transport.
EDIT - Wol. On Dean's subject of expat validation - it's occured to why so many expats with poor judgement love giving this very fact away? I sometimes wonder if they wish they had heard of the 'Lemon' effect...
Last edited by BadgeIsBack; Mar 13th 2011 at 4:56 pm.
Mar 13th 2011, 4:56 pm
#233
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Re: Does Australia suffer from inferiority-complex?
They have a standard of living that many people in the West have always sought. It would be churlish to suggest otherwise.
What I see as important is that Australia is different to many other places people visit. Most Australians realise this. It's not the US, it's not Paris. It's not Slovenia. It's not Austria.
It's on the other side of the world. That is all, really.
It's on the other side of the world. That is all, really.
If Australia was populated by 100m Indonesians, or 100m Asians, there would be no comparison.
The fact is that Australia is a Western country out in the corner and it holds a fascination with people all over the world.
The only expats that need validation are the ignorant ones who are too stupid to realise that you can't transport Little England out to Little Australia and expect it to work.
Last edited by Deancm_MKII; Mar 13th 2011 at 5:00 pm.
Mar 13th 2011, 5:14 pm
#234
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Re: Does Australia suffer from inferiority-complex?
cliche-alert - and every Brit who thinks it's all about snakes and spiders and BBQs - and big houses and one big Home and Away existence. I don't see what the rest of the people happy with the move need to worry about.
Mar 13th 2011, 5:50 pm
#235
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Re: Does Australia suffer from inferiority-complex?
>>In my experience, people tend to conveniently not say anything when they know they have underachieved. I mean, if I lived in a shite-hole, do you think I would draw attention to the fact? Just my 2c.<<
Very true - it's the lemon effect. (Those who have bought a dog of a car tend to be reluctant to criticise it because they feel it might reflect on their judgement.)
Very true - it's the lemon effect. (Those who have bought a dog of a car tend to be reluctant to criticise it because they feel it might reflect on their judgement.)
Mar 13th 2011, 6:01 pm
#236
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Re: Does Australia suffer from inferiority-complex?
Ultimately the validation works when someone is happy with their lot.
It's around this time I start offering advice to migrants.
Look at the people who have done very well in Australia. Look at the people who have not done so well in Australia. There are established patterns. If you can reproduce it, then come. If you can't, and I'm not so sure it's getting any easy to reproduce - then don't. The success comes to those who don't follow the common denominator, and even then there is no guarantee.
I know for a fact that a few simple, duff decisions could have spelled out unhappiness. I said to Dean a few weeks ago that the 80/20 rule applies.
My general advice is 'don't come'. My specific advice is available by PM...
Mar 13th 2011, 6:49 pm
#237
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Re: Does Australia suffer from inferiority-complex?
a) they are unsure and the validation helps to put their mind at ease
b) They are trying to convince themselves.
I said to Dean a few weeks ago that the 80/20 rule applies.
My general advice is 'don't come'. My specific advice is available by PM...
Mar 13th 2011, 7:24 pm
#238
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Re: Does Australia suffer from inferiority-complex?
I think we should look at superiority complexes as they seem more relevant to this forum. 
Mar 13th 2011, 8:18 pm
#240
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