easiest way to settle in australia
Apr 3rd 2007 | 4:11 pm
#16
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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From: at the bottom of a wine glass
Apr 3rd 2007 | 4:57 pm
#17
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 16,623
From: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Re: easiest way to settle in australia
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.
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.
Same applies to me. Australians here would never dream of asking you your salary - unless they know you well and am discussing detailed finance where knowing would facilitate the topic.
Apr 3rd 2007 | 5:05 pm
#18
Proudly Deplorable
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 24,249
From: Alloha snack bar
Re: easiest way to settle in australia
Those same hostels exist in London for Southern Hemisphere people. The same shit that has been described earlier, happens there. I know because I stayed in them!
Apr 3rd 2007 | 6:05 pm
#19
Australia's Doorman
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,057
From: The Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia
Apr 4th 2007 | 11:02 am
#20
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From: WA but NOT Perth!!!!!
Apr 4th 2007 | 11:05 am
#21
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From: WA but NOT Perth!!!!!
Re: easiest way to settle in australia
Apr 4th 2007 | 11:08 am
#22
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From: Brisbane
Apr 4th 2007 | 11:09 am
#23
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From: Brisbane
Re: easiest way to settle in australia
Apr 4th 2007 | 11:17 am
#24
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From: Brisbane
Apr 4th 2007 | 12:33 pm
#25
Australia's Doorman
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From: The Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia
Re: easiest way to settle in australia
Apr 4th 2007 | 2:59 pm
#26
Karma earned, not whored
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,001
From: Perth
Re: easiest way to settle in australia
If you have a positive outlook on life, its easy to settle anywhere, as you will throw yourselves into it, and meet loads of like-minded people. If on the other hand, your speciality is moaning, sat on the couch saying what time does Corrie come on, and trying to find a shop that sells Bisto gravy...............then you probably wont settle, here, or anywhere else for that matter. Come with an open mind, and enjoy everything Australia has to offer, and you will be fine. We have no family here, and have settled with two children, and now have a much busier social calender than we ever had in the UK.
Apr 4th 2007 | 3:37 pm
#27
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,998
Re: easiest way to settle in australia
My social life here is much better than it ever was before we came. I have made friends, not acquaintences over the past 8 months by getting over my shyness and making an effort. Like Hutch said, you have to accept invitations to things you might not even feel like going to. You may find you have a great time and meet some really nice people. What's the worst that can happen? Someone doesn't like you? You don't have a good time?
Apr 4th 2007 | 3:40 pm
#28
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Apr 4th 2007 | 3:43 pm
#29
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Re: easiest way to settle in australia
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.
We don't have school connections yet but am starting to make friends through creche etc.
Apr 4th 2007 | 4:46 pm
#30
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 141
From: sydney -cos it never rains
Re: easiest way to settle in australia
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.
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.
Remember that each of those 500.000 odd backpackers sticks $10+ in the Australian economy
