Originally Posted by paulrachel (Post 4599470)

Also depends on what type of person you are. I will talk to anyone;)

Originally Posted by 007 (Post 4599224)

As an aussie, when I lived in the UK, I could think of nothing worse than mixing with other aussies. Aussies bore me, it's hard work to come across one who is not obsessed with sport, real estate prices and money. Most will even have no problem asking you how much money you earn. Truly annoying!

The friends I seeked out were British. They go out and have a laugh.

I remember one time walking into the walk-about (aussie pub) saw all the legless aussies and it was no later than 9pm. They had probably been drinking cask wine earlier back at the hostel. I felt this overwhelming feel of embarrassment.

One bloke, for no reason, then starting shouting aussie aussie aussie, followed by 100 ppl replying with the oh so intelligent oi oi oi.

I just cringed and quickly left.

And they say the yanks make bad tourists.

Originally Posted by Hutch (Post 4599506)

There was a documentary on TV in the UK a few years ago that spent a Christmas in a couple of backpackers hoss-tells ( ;) ) in and around Bondi and I know exactly where you're coming from.

Originally Posted by 007 (Post 4599528)

Don't be such a drama queen all your life.

Originally Posted by Wendy (Post 4599155)

It depends on you.

Originally Posted by Hutch (Post 4599502)

Totally agree. You've got to be prepared to strike up conversation with people - tough if you're the shy retiring type, but I reckon it's a lot easier when you're in another country, free of any sort of old British rule-sheets on social etiquette. :)

Originally Posted by bridie (Post 4603703)

Absolutely! We have no family out here and we have settled fine from day one.

Originally Posted by bridie (Post 4603715)

I used to be painfully shy but since I moved here realised no-one is going to knock on the front door and ask to be my friend, so got over it. I pretty much chat to anyone now, best way to make friends is just invite them for coffee! :thumbup:

Originally Posted by Wendy (Post 4599634)

Must be that good old Yorkshire blood that, cos I'm just the same :D

Originally Posted by brissydeb (Post 4603729)

So basically what you are saying is speak to anyone you come across etc, go to every meet ;) and accept any invitation for a bbq and you will settle fine?

Originally Posted by brissydeb (Post 4599004)

Is it easier to settle in Australia if you have family over there, have kids so meet folk through them, or single/ couple going out every weekend to bars/ restaurants? Or does it depend on the person emigrating?:confused:

Originally Posted by Hutch (Post 4599430)

We get your drift, you hate the country you were born in and all the people who live in it, with the exception of immigrant British people, who you adore. Begs the question ...

Originally Posted by Hutch (Post 4603934)

That's pretty much it - yes. Even go to things that you'd never normally contemplate in a million years, like sporting events if you're not into sports (which I'm not, on the whole). You won't like everyone you meet, you won't click with everyone you meet, but you will find people you connect with. It's a lot easier if you have kids since there's the school and outside activities to attend during which you'll meet people. Volunteer for things at the school, volunteer for your local fire brigade, join the surf life-saving club, sign up for the soccer team. Just put yourself out there basically. :)

Originally Posted by NickyC (Post 4599529)

60 Minutes did an item on English backpackers a few years ago.

It was quite amusing - most of them were under the impression that they're really brave and adventurous travelling 'independently' 12000 miles away from home, but in reality, most of them are herded around the country just as if they were on a package holiday to Spain.

They arrive in Sydney early summer (after the obligatory few weeks in Thailand), spend the summer on the beach at Bondi or Coogee with rather a lot of drinking. Late summer they move on up to Byron for surf lessons and drinking, followed by a bit of fruit-picking in SE QLD for those who've run out of money.

By Autumn they heading towards the Whitsundays where they all do the compulsory sailing trip to Whitehaven beach accompanied by a bit of drinking. By winter they've reached Cairns, where the schedule is a dive course, a bungy jump and a lot more drinking to round the trip off nicely. :blink: