Lord Pom Percy

Obviously not a Lebanese beachgoer at Cronulla.

Rudi

Nope, I'm not. And now I am going to shoot myself in the foot by getting involved in a discussion, which is something I HATE doing on message boards because the sincerity of how people speak does not come over in words and it can so often be misconstrued.

So here goes.......................... :scared:

Cronulla was not so much about racism, as race. Much like Everton vs Liverpool, (sorry to people who support these teams - I'm not trying to suggest they are bad in the hooligan world, I'm just trying to make an example of two rival factions - I don't even know if they fight these days - I'm going back many many years!!!!!!). Maybe England vs France or Germany would be better!!! Gang vs Gang, mindless idiotic fighting between testosterone filled idiots.

It happened to involve gangs from different countries. But that's how society is built. Look at us. We have come half way around the world and what are we doing? We are searching for something familiar by being on a site like this and going to meet other expats. People from other countries do the same thing, and so their friends tend to be from their own country. In some communities this is stronger than others. I know there are areas of Sydney where there are mini communes almost......Italians go to Leichhardt, Cambodians go to Bonnyrigg etc

Racism is more personal, comments to an individual due to their colour usually, although not always. It is also open to interpretation. I remember a comment from someone when I first arrived. I was talking about living in Cherrybrook. This person said to me "you don't want to live there, that's where all the Chinese people live". I felt this comment was racist - and believe me, I have personal reasons for being VERY sensitive to racism due to colour. What I actually think she meant was that it would be harder to fit in because the predominant culture was Chinese (I don't actually think it is, but I think this was her point). It's all a bit of a grey area - being called a POM could be construed as racism by some - for me it's not.

Anyway, we have experiences, and one bad one compared to many many good ones can sometimes completely obliterate that good. My original point was that one cannot judge the WHOLE of NSW just because of a bad experience in one area.

Sorry to the OP, we have all rather hijacked your thread. I hope someone has some useful advice for you.

Rudi

russmcp

Well said

BenandPam

Well if you don't like wet weater, don't go to Sydney as it gets far more rain than Melbourne. Mean monthly rainfall for March in Sydney is 131mm vs Melbourne's 34mm ! It is also more humid in summer in Sydney than in Melbourne.

We have lived in Melbourne for just over a year and may be moving to Sydney. May take is that Sydney City centre is VERY busy and noisy as it has more traffic due to not having the trams that Melbourne has. We haven't really travelled outside of the City much and so look forward to that.
As far as I am concerned, people are people and you get idiots wherever you go. As long as you can get a place to live and money coming in, then the rest is up to you.

mackinnon

What month were you there?

Deer Hunter

People in Melbourne are no less racist than in Sydney. I have lived in both and heard bucketloads of racist sh!t both in Melbourne and Sydney. Aussies tend to be quite open about their prejudices in my experience and IMO that's because there is so much of it.

.....pounce now.......

Bordy

Ive never heard anyone in either city calling me a Scottish b***ard.

I love both cities, Melbourne to live in & Sydney for a long weekend.

Mrs Jackaroo

I am soooo fed up of hearing how bloody racist Aussies are - if you dont like it why not bugger off back!!

Deer Hunter

I'm sick of people who have only lived here for a short period of time commenting on what they think Aussies are like based on one person. Take your rose tints off!

Bordy

Ive been here 7 years & have never seen it as a big problem !!!!

Mrs Jackaroo

Based on one person?? Where the hell did you get that nugget of information from? I based my answer on my personal experience - isnt that what this site is all about??? I just dont understand why those who just sit here all day bloody slaggin Oz off dont just go home?! Simple really!

Deer Hunter

I should think any amount of racism anywhere is a problem!

Bordy

Ok where should I go & live then?????

Deer Hunter

Maybe if you read my post you'd see that I wasn't slagging off all Aussies. I base my opinion on having lived here for 3 years and hearing all sorts of racist crap, I didn't say that ALL Aussies were racist. Having an opinion doesn't have to mean I'm slagging Oz off.

Deer Hunter

Where twgwn's living obviously.