First Impressions of Oz
Jun 15th 2009, 1:18 pm
#31
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Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
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Re: First Impressions of Oz
Main problem I have with this
thread, is there are no two countries on the planet with similar manners and habits than New Zealand and Australia, so to have totally different experiences in both countries is obviously a perception problem.
Even the most diehard Kiwi will agree with the gist of my statement.
I think the hint is in describing people walking around as "Gormless" Now how can you have a happy experience amongst people you deem to be Gormless.
thread, is there are no two countries on the planet with similar manners and habits than New Zealand and Australia, so to have totally different experiences in both countries is obviously a perception problem.
Even the most diehard Kiwi will agree with the gist of my statement.
I think the hint is in describing people walking around as "Gormless" Now how can you have a happy experience amongst people you deem to be Gormless.
You do get curious posts, where some people ascribe traits to Kiwis, and not Australians, and then others have it the other way around entirely!
"Kiwis the most insular on the planet. 3rd world country".
"Kiwis very down to earth - nicer than Aussies"
I've always believed that some migrants have ways of perception that just work differently to many others...(funny that!)...or just think things out differently...my advice - advoid the suburbs and the malls - that will solve many, many problems!
The most happiest, and I am being mischievous, when I say that it is the morst accurate post in a long while...
DavyLast edited by BadgeIsBack; Jun 15th 2009 at 1:20 pm.
Jun 15th 2009, 1:24 pm
#32
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Sunny Brisvegas
Posts: 133
Re: First Impressions of Oz
Maybe they didn't get their 'toughen the f#$k up' tablet at immigration when they arrived.
Jun 15th 2009, 1:29 pm
#33
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Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Ferny Grove
Posts: 1,496
Re: First Impressions of Oz
You're definitely not describing the Brisbane I live in......have you been solely in CBD since you arrived as that's the only thing I can think of that would create the environment you describe (and even then it seems rather alien to me).
Unfriendly people? Never come across that one anywhere I'm afraid - the complete opposite to be honest.
Not noticed being stared at, doesn't mean it hasn't happened, but sure as hell haven't noticed it. I'm usually fairly aware of these things but may have been oblivious.
People being oblivious to everyone else, only in CBD and even then there's a polite recognition if a collision occurs.
Ignoring women - commented to OH the other day how nice it is that chivalry isn't dead here.
Spitting on the street, haven't noticed it personally.
Smoking, guilty. But there's ashtrays everywhere so no fagbutts everywhere which is lovely. (I have a strong hatred of cigarette butts left loafing)
Washing hands thing - WTF??? Thats a worry, but again not noticed it, but then I don't tend to keep a track of peoples conversations with their kids, too busy keeping track of mine.
Lack of manners - seriously, where in Bris are you??
Pace of life being fast, everyone walking fast - where did you come from??
I've found nothing but open and friendly people since we got here, no matter where we were, including CBD to be honest.
Unfriendly people? Never come across that one anywhere I'm afraid - the complete opposite to be honest.
Not noticed being stared at, doesn't mean it hasn't happened, but sure as hell haven't noticed it. I'm usually fairly aware of these things but may have been oblivious.
People being oblivious to everyone else, only in CBD and even then there's a polite recognition if a collision occurs.
Ignoring women - commented to OH the other day how nice it is that chivalry isn't dead here.
Spitting on the street, haven't noticed it personally.
Smoking, guilty. But there's ashtrays everywhere so no fagbutts everywhere which is lovely. (I have a strong hatred of cigarette butts left loafing)
Washing hands thing - WTF??? Thats a worry, but again not noticed it, but then I don't tend to keep a track of peoples conversations with their kids, too busy keeping track of mine.
Lack of manners - seriously, where in Bris are you??
Pace of life being fast, everyone walking fast - where did you come from??
I've found nothing but open and friendly people since we got here, no matter where we were, including CBD to be honest.
Jun 15th 2009, 2:14 pm
#35
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Posts: 9,316
Re: First Impressions of Oz
No offence intended AndyR but I think you should treat this as a heads up. Maybe Aus is not the place for you. I've seen other posters in this position and have wanted to say "Don't come" but have bit my tongue because people like to bounce on you for such things. However I've seen those people come and they hate it. And it gets a lot worse if their family actually likes it.
Have you thought about NZ as an alternative?
Have you thought about NZ as an alternative?
Jun 15th 2009, 2:19 pm
#36
Home and Happy
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Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
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Jun 15th 2009, 2:30 pm
#38
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Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Sydney
Posts: 92
Re: First Impressions of Oz
Either way, good luck and remember just go and enjoy yourself to begin with, you said you have a year of travel ahead of you, enjoy that and then worry about whether you think you would ever be able to live somewhere in Australia.
Jun 15th 2009, 2:37 pm
#40
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Posts: 3,566
Re: First Impressions of Oz
I don't know if I would paint a picture as bleak as that, when I was in the UK I lived in Scotland for a long time, moved between cities up there and enjoyed all of them and then moved down to London for my career. I noticed the difference straight away, some of the same things such as people not responding to you at checkouts when you said hello or putting the change on the counter rather than handing it to you and even though I tried to give it a proper go all I could take was nine months. I then moved up to Edinburgh and thoroughly enjoyed living there (and sure things could have been the same for many other cities), what I am trying to get at is that not all cities are the same and that is the same for Australia as it is for any country. Just try and dust yourself down, go out with a fresh look at things (maybe try and block out some of your pre-Australia expectations a little) and if you still don't like Brisbane just try somewhere else
Either way, good luck and remember just go and enjoy yourself to begin with, you said you have a year of travel ahead of you, enjoy that and then worry about whether you think you would ever be able to live somewhere in Australia.
Either way, good luck and remember just go and enjoy yourself to begin with, you said you have a year of travel ahead of you, enjoy that and then worry about whether you think you would ever be able to live somewhere in Australia.
First impressions are usually correct AND how will he possibly feel after a few years?? Whats bleak about it?
Either way, I think his post was refreshingly honest and gave me a giggle.
Jun 15th 2009, 2:50 pm
#41
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Sydney
Posts: 92
Re: First Impressions of Oz
The part I was refering to was
Which I thought sounded a bit negative. And I was just thinking that although first impressions can be the right ones they can also be clouded by other things going on like the amazing time he had had in NZ and any preconceptions he had had before arriving in Australia, even things like having a rubbish nights sleep can affect how someone sees something so I would always say that you should give something a real go before deciding one way or the other.
Which I thought sounded a bit negative. And I was just thinking that although first impressions can be the right ones they can also be clouded by other things going on like the amazing time he had had in NZ and any preconceptions he had had before arriving in Australia, even things like having a rubbish nights sleep can affect how someone sees something so I would always say that you should give something a real go before deciding one way or the other.
Jun 15th 2009, 2:52 pm
#42
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,566
Re: First Impressions of Oz
The part I was refering to was
Which I thought sounded a bit negative. And I was just thinking that although first impressions can be the right ones they can also be clouded by other things going on like the amazing time he had had in NZ and any preconceptions he had had before arriving in Australia, even things like having a rubbish nights sleep can affect how someone sees something so I would always say that you should give something a real go before deciding one way or the other.
Which I thought sounded a bit negative. And I was just thinking that although first impressions can be the right ones they can also be clouded by other things going on like the amazing time he had had in NZ and any preconceptions he had had before arriving in Australia, even things like having a rubbish nights sleep can affect how someone sees something so I would always say that you should give something a real go before deciding one way or the other.
I am negative but I dont mind Australia.
Jun 15th 2009, 3:05 pm
#43
Proudly Deplorable
Joined: May 2003
Location: Alloha snack bar
Posts: 24,246
Re: First Impressions of Oz
We arrived in Brisbane just over a week ago now as we plan on spending the year traveling while we wait for our 175 to be processed. We spent 3 weeks in New Zealand before we arrived and had the most amazing time, the people there were so friendly that it totally blew us away, so we arrived in Oz really excited.
However, its not exactly been the best time so far
We had done a lot of research before coming so had our exceptions set and a lot of these (food prices, costs of items, bugs etc) are all as we expected so thats fine, however one this we didn't expect to encounter is the appalling attitude of the people here!!! Things we have experienced so far:-
All it feels like at the moment in Brisbane is London with much better weather and thats a serious shock. Everyone makes such a thing about how nice the Ozzies are but so far the only people which have been polite/civil are the Chinese/Koreans we've seen. Not seen many brits yet but every single Ozzie we have come across has been a total nightmare, and the amount of racism/crude attitude of people is a real eyeopener.
Sorry to rant, just had to vent a bit thats all. Hopefully it'll all change when we get out of Brisbane and into some less populated areas.
However, its not exactly been the best time so far
We had done a lot of research before coming so had our exceptions set and a lot of these (food prices, costs of items, bugs etc) are all as we expected so thats fine, however one this we didn't expect to encounter is the appalling attitude of the people here!!! Things we have experienced so far:-- People are NOT friendly round here. Tried talking to lots of people in shops/out and about and they are just rude as hell. Say hi when you get to a checkout and they ignore you for example.
- How many people stare at you with an expression like they have just crapped there pants?
- People walk round completely oblivious to anyone else
- Constantly getting bumped into where-ever you go, and no one ever says sorry
- The way blokes in shops/restaurants ignore women is plain rude
- People spitting on the street all the time
- Never seen so many people smoking!!
- Does anyone ever wash there hands in this country? No wonder swine flu is spreading so quick in Oz! Also seen lots of parents telling there little kids not to wash there hands after using the loo as its only a wee/poo ?!?!?!?
- Total lack of manners from people
- Racism - WOW! Its so blatant around here. Even had to get off a train early because a group of lads were harassing people on the train who were Kiwi or British, plus saw some very proud Ozzies families on the City Cat acting like complete idiots just to cause a scene.
- Never had so many people let doors go in my face
- People always squeeze through in front of you and look at you like you were at fault
- Been bumped into so many times and they then look at you completely gormlessly!
- General gormless attitude of people when you walk round, its like being in Land of the Dead.
- The pace of life seems SOOOOO fast. Feel like your getting your heels chomped on the high street people walk so fast and everyone always seems to be in a rush wherever you go.
All it feels like at the moment in Brisbane is London with much better weather and thats a serious shock. Everyone makes such a thing about how nice the Ozzies are but so far the only people which have been polite/civil are the Chinese/Koreans we've seen. Not seen many brits yet but every single Ozzie we have come across has been a total nightmare, and the amount of racism/crude attitude of people is a real eyeopener.
Sorry to rant, just had to vent a bit thats all. Hopefully it'll all change when we get out of Brisbane and into some less populated areas.
Australia is not for everyone.
Jun 15th 2009, 4:20 pm
#44
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 263
Re: First Impressions of Oz
Tend to find all cities are like this mate, maybe oz is not for you, or city life is not for you?
Jun 15th 2009, 5:48 pm
#45
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 153
Re: First Impressions of Oz
Can't believe the negative comments are about the very same Brisbane I've just got back from 
Sure, Brisbane isn't perfect, but I saw a totally different picture to yours whilst I was over there. People were very helpful and friendly to me. Ignorant people no different, better or worse than any other country, I've visited.
Comments about the number of people smoking are also ridiculous. Ok, so they smoke!... Big Deal! What are you..their mother? They are allowed to smoke like anyone, anywhere else, as long as its outside and not in a public place... Get over it.
You're right. Maybe it would be better to move on from Brissie, seeing you weren't that impressed..
The train to Utopia leaves in 30 mins from platform 1.
Sure, Brisbane isn't perfect, but I saw a totally different picture to yours whilst I was over there. People were very helpful and friendly to me. Ignorant people no different, better or worse than any other country, I've visited.
Comments about the number of people smoking are also ridiculous. Ok, so they smoke!... Big Deal! What are you..their mother? They are allowed to smoke like anyone, anywhere else, as long as its outside and not in a public place... Get over it.
You're right. Maybe it would be better to move on from Brissie, seeing you weren't that impressed..
The train to Utopia leaves in 30 mins from platform 1.