BadgeIsBack

not all! And the pub does play an important role for many.

I am being very clear here - for such an amazing nation there is a sort of lazy 'useless' Brit - which you can identify on documentaries. I notice it particularly after have been here almost 20 years where frankly, the average person semi-rural/city person never stops. Actually, occasionally we want to stop and do nothing! Watching Clarkson's farm amazed me / amused me to see Jezz not able to reverse a tractor and trailer - here you grow up doing it! It's really noticeable how hands-on so many Aussies are from actually, different walks of life. They may grow up in suburbia but will have access to a country property in the family somewhere or have a shed down the back. It's common to see English people grow up in a 3-4 bed semi and never ever do much at all.

My only criticism though is that many here will shop to they drop from their suburban homes but they do have quite good lives for surburbanites.

brits1

I'd hate to think where you may have lived in the UK
​​​​but what you describe it sounds very similar to where we first lived when we arrived in Australia lol

Retirednow

Buckinghamshire, Hampshire.

brits1

OH so now I understand your outlook on your part of the UK.

Retirednow

And Edinburgh but that was a long time ago…
I was of course talking about most poms here, not those still in Blighty..

the troubadour

Well London is expensive but museums are free. (I expect they still are) Walkability levels are high compared to Australian cities, easy enough to take a coach (often very cheap) to seaside, or most anywhere in the country, if don't want to drive, don't have a car, or even don't drive. Cheap flights to Europe. Eating out was cheap when knew where to go but a lot of those places are gone. Actually I'd go for a place like Newcastle, if went back. Far cheaper. Easy access to countryside and Scotland. Ferries to Europe. Great entertainment. Just a shame about the weather.......

the troubadour

Well Perth has UK born strongholds , but out of over one million UK born residents living in Australia, still found in every part of the nation often the majority overseas born population , or were until recently. Quite a mixed bag. Lazy and clueless? I recall when Poms where blamed for causing strife. (bringing Union politics to OZ) I recall when elements of youth from UK where blamed for introducing UK youth culture like Skin heads and Teddy Boys. I recall when many UK migrants found Aussies lazy (still today often cited by many UK tradies do a better job than many Aussies) You see one can sprout such claims as being lazy and clueless , but adds up to nothing but ancient cliched arguements that amount to very little.

the troubadour

I agree in part, but that is something very different from what I was referring. Always 'doing' infers limited time to reflect or converse or just be. Out on the land, necessity made for very independent and able people, it could be argued. But again such places often incur high rates of mental illness and limited social dislocation.
I think unworldliness can equally apply to both places. I find again it depends on which Brit's you refer to. It can be but equally many are more 'worldly' in another sense if living especially in the bigger cities. Many Australians can appear a bit 'wooly' or innocent to much happening in the world or around them.
I think there is no clear cut analogy here and if you are talking about well educated Australians as you mention, then there is every possibly the well educated Brit may well prove to be more dimensional.

Moses2013

I was back in the UK last Friday and haven't been there for ages. We drove across the border to Enniskillen and I must admit that I really enjoyed the day and surrounding area was great.
People were out on their boats and so much to do that's free, especially for people who like the outdoors. Weather has been great too and I can see why there seems to be plenty of retired people in the area.
Even from Ireland you can easily get to France/Spain by ferry and not expensive at all. We'll be taking the Bilbao route next time and will see how it goes.

brits1

If you can try the Santander route and head towards San Sebastian ..(my humble opinion one of the best cities in Spain) even hotter weather arriving soon.. enjoy your stay.

brits1

Edinburgh is a very fine city and well worth a visit. We really did not have many British friends in Australia we were a gang of friends from around the globe....