Making friends
#16
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,027
Re: Making friends
Originally Posted by Deadmeat
I can recommend joining a sports team ... doesn't matter which sport ... if there is one stereotype that generally holds true then it is that the Aussies love to talk and play sport. Yup, even the women.
I don't mean to be overly-critical of Vanessa on such a positive post but it does pay to initially talk to people without a UK accent too ... we don't want to be building communities of Little Englanders ...
I don't mean to be overly-critical of Vanessa on such a positive post but it does pay to initially talk to people without a UK accent too ... we don't want to be building communities of Little Englanders ...
Very true, but initially, and especially for most people when they are feeling a little 'lost', having someone who knows where they are coming from does help a great deal.
I would say that the majority of my friends now are Australian and most of these close friendships have been forged through sport.
#17
Re: Making friends
I have to say the aussies may seem a friendly bunch but dont expect to be invited around for tea. I have been here two years and dont socialise with them outside work..dont get me wrong i am a very outgoing, approachable being but, but, but....yes!! all my friends are migrants, we are on the same page
#18
Re: Making friends
Originally Posted by comet555
My plan is to get on an ice hockey team. I'm bound to meet at least a few Canadians there!
#19
Re: Making friends
I don't think it matters what or who your friends are - they are just that - friends.
Don't actively set out to only make friends with other expats, but tbh it is easier to because we are all in the same boat.
Most aussie women have their own group of friends (like we did in the UK) and it can take a while to be 'let in'.
tracey
Don't actively set out to only make friends with other expats, but tbh it is easier to because we are all in the same boat.
Most aussie women have their own group of friends (like we did in the UK) and it can take a while to be 'let in'.
tracey
#20
Re: Making friends
Originally Posted by stumo
Hey, I'll come and watch you if you're playing in whatever area we move to. I love the sport.
It's a great game though. My husband and I have already found a league that we can play in when we go. The guys that play there tell me they love to get Canadians so it shouldn't be too hard to get on a team.
#21
Account Closed
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,424
Re: Making friends
Originally Posted by nightnurse2
I don't think it matters what or who your friends are - they are just that - friends.
Don't actively set out to only make friends with other expats, but tbh it is easier to because we are all in the same boat.
Most aussie women have their own group of friends (like we did in the UK) and it can take a while to be 'let in'.
tracey
Don't actively set out to only make friends with other expats, but tbh it is easier to because we are all in the same boat.
Most aussie women have their own group of friends (like we did in the UK) and it can take a while to be 'let in'.
tracey
Then you get to the stage we've reached which is oh sod it I hate talking to myself, mind you i'd like to point out it took 2 years saying hello to everyone and getting the same reaction from over half to form that opinion, oh well nevermind should be moving to Melbourne soon and saw a few people round the school and they all seemed nice, but time will tell
Jen
#22
Re: Making friends
Originally Posted by comet555
We'll be living by the rink in Newcastle, New South Wales. But there are also rinks in Sydeny, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth (I think that's all of them).
It's a great game though. My husband and I have already found a league that we can play in when we go. The guys that play there tell me they love to get Canadians so it shouldn't be too hard to get on a team.
It's a great game though. My husband and I have already found a league that we can play in when we go. The guys that play there tell me they love to get Canadians so it shouldn't be too hard to get on a team.
#23
Re: Making friends
We've been here since Feb & the friends I have here are all ex-pats. My hubby has a handful of aussies that hes met various ways, through work, out mountain biking & neighbours, who he's in touch with & they go out on their bikes, but none of them have ever invited him/us round - which may just be a bloke thing. Having said that, I'm sure he's never invited them here - so it works both ways. The aussies I've met at playgroup and work are the same, they don't seem to want to make arrangements to do stuff away from work/playgroup, although we all get on well.
I'm happy with the circle of friends I've made and I don't feel like I'm missing my old friends in the UK as much, as I still speak with them loads, they don't seem so far away.
I'm happy with the circle of friends I've made and I don't feel like I'm missing my old friends in the UK as much, as I still speak with them loads, they don't seem so far away.
#24
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,441
Re: Making friends
Originally Posted by Vanessa
Very true, but initially, and especially for most people when they are feeling a little 'lost', having someone who knows where they are coming from does help a great deal.
I would say that the majority of my friends now are Australian and most of these close friendships have been forged through sport.
I would say that the majority of my friends now are Australian and most of these close friendships have been forged through sport.
#25
Re: Making friends
Originally Posted by Deadmeat
Aye, it was a bit different for me cos my wife is an Aussie so I had to talk to her ... 2 years on and we talk a bit less, but that's marriage I guess
Wait a few more years then you won't have to talk to her at all
#26
Re: Making friends
Originally Posted by Ian & Sharon
Thanks Wendy I've got loads of air points, what times best for you and should I bring red or white wine
5pm and bring both
#27
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Making friends
The only social 'setback' we had was renting in a quiet street with lots of retired couples. (it was near the station and shops).
Upside: Our neighbours have now become surrogate grandparents.
Upside: Our neighbours have now become surrogate grandparents.
#28
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Making friends
We've found we've started to 'snowball' with social circles. It gets easier and easier - and in our village, it all started with an invite from a CFA colleague.
Year 1 : a few here and there
Year 3: meeting that person in the street who tells you to drop in next time you're passing; who knows another mate of yours, next time they have a meet, you all get invited..
Chief joins the local creche committee and meets the chief of another bloke in the CFA. They compare notes and establish common ground. Invite. Chief lends some clothes to the child care nurse. Box of chocolates and a mate for life. etc etc Chief walks down the lane, meets another woman. Family are all first aiders, we are CFA, invite. I have blokes ring me up and ask to borrow my vehicle for towing a horse for a weekend which in some circles is quite an ask.
Also, we don't have school-age kids so am at a disadvantage in some ways. Just as well as we might have to 'close our books' and beat them off with the proverbial stick.
We hardly know any expats apart from a few we knew when we first arrived.
Since then, its been locals all the way.
Year 1 : a few here and there
Year 3: meeting that person in the street who tells you to drop in next time you're passing; who knows another mate of yours, next time they have a meet, you all get invited..
Chief joins the local creche committee and meets the chief of another bloke in the CFA. They compare notes and establish common ground. Invite. Chief lends some clothes to the child care nurse. Box of chocolates and a mate for life. etc etc Chief walks down the lane, meets another woman. Family are all first aiders, we are CFA, invite. I have blokes ring me up and ask to borrow my vehicle for towing a horse for a weekend which in some circles is quite an ask.
Also, we don't have school-age kids so am at a disadvantage in some ways. Just as well as we might have to 'close our books' and beat them off with the proverbial stick.
We hardly know any expats apart from a few we knew when we first arrived.
Since then, its been locals all the way.
Last edited by BadgeIsBack; Nov 16th 2006 at 2:58 am.
#29
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,441
Re: Making friends
Originally Posted by Wendy
Wait a few more years then you won't have to talk to her at all
Disclaimer to Immigration Dudes - Don't be silly, of course I'm joking ... and what are you doing reading this trash in the first place?