fimart

here here!
fi

MikeStanton

If the cap fits...

I have to laugh when people occasionally use the 'class' argument. Often used - sadly - by those that just can't hack it back in the UK.

If you don't think there is a class system in Oz, you are deluding yourself. Like most class systems, it is the 'haves' vs the 'have nots'. And Oz, USA and UK have the biggest gaps between these 2 groups. Oh, of course, there is the Aboriginal underclass in Oz, but they never rate a mention by Aussies or wannabe Aussies, do they?

Having been through the state school system myself, I have never encountered class prejudice in the UK (but then I've never seen myself as one of the oppressed, blah, blah). However, when I arrived in 'fair go, mate' Oz, what did I find. Why, in more senior financial circles, it's 'who you know' and 'what school you've been to'. Eg "I went to SCEGGS...I went to Kings" etc. It's probably like England 30+ years ago.

No doubt, it's all part of Oz's inbreeding.

But, I'm sure you'll tell me that the Packers and the Myers will be coming around to your place - or Badge's - for a barbie this arvo

Just wake up, open your eyes and venture out from your nice home!

Don

Somewhat classless myself - nice middle class boy, grammar school in Bucks, nice middle class University back then (Exeter 1983 onwards), nice middle class jobs thereafter: I have to agree with some of you:

- perhaps the worst thing about the UK is the class system, the braying accents, the arseholes with no brain but the right school, the 'connections' that mean more than the ability to do the job, the shits who get ahead despite being shits with nothing good to be said about them.

Here's for meritocracy!

Amazulu

No, I live there (sorry, didn't explain properly in previous post). I know Woodlea School well, my son will be going there if Oz does not work out. Are you from this area?.

Quinkana

Britain has come a long way from feudalism but their is still a step to take - abolish the last vestiges of the institutionalized class system:

Hereditary Titles

Then She will have to deal with uppity and downity beggars just like in the USA and Aus.

Amazulu

What about the white underclass in Oz, from what I saw in Qld, it's pretty big. I didn't grow up in the UK, so I can see it from an outsider's point of view. I think the UK is still very class ridden. I can usually tell someone's background or upbringing within 10 mins of meeting them, it's pretty clear cut. I find this is not the case in Oz, NZ or SA, sure class is an issue in these countries, just not as big an issue as in the UK.

hevs

LOL nice home!!! Its a renovation awaiting progress at the mo actually.

I venture out every weekend fwiw. Beach last weekend, snow a couple of weekends before, reguarly walk bits of the Dandenong ranges and maybe off to Adelaide next weekend if the Bombers are playing there, so please don't insinuate that i am insular with no perspective

Don't know who the packers or myers are, but i'm sure that they're nice....

Perhaps the class thing is seen in "more senior financial circles" In my experience here people speak as they find and offer help without needing or expecting anything back in return AND it doesn't matter what either of you do for a living. That may not seem much to some but i for one find it not only refreshing, but kind of humbling...........................

As for inbreeding, jeeze you should have lived in the village i lived in in leafy oxon, EVERYONE was related

Lastly, i hacked it rather well in the UK thanks and ran my own successful business, i just wanted a change and felt there was more to be had out of my comfy life.

We all have different priorities and feelings, some even feel that its ok to put total strangers down on a forum because they feel faceless. Sad really

bondipom

Lived in Warlingham for a while when I was a kid.

chocaholic

Talking about accents, I remember that it suddenly became trendy to speak with a kind of cockney accent - even some people who'd always had neutral home counties' accents. People can be funny, innit

fimart

Yeah they call it Estuary English don't they..?

chocaholic

Yeah, you're right, a miraculous accent that can be acquired overnight - if it fits your image!

bondipom

Jonathon Woss is the classic estuary English speaker. Jamie Oliver is the typical wannabe geezer.

Wicked

MikeStanton

Underclasses exist in both UK and Oz. But what is the 'class issue' in UK that you speak of? I don't know anyone, in UK, who believes that class has limited what they want to do. Sure, there are 'sirs' etc, but so what? In both Oz and UK, people speak of middle and working class - in Oz they make a big deal of it, referring to 'Aussie battlers'. The fact is class in UK has moved on hugely from the days of serfs. And the irony is there are many more opportunities for people in the UK than Oz - whatever your background.

MikeStanton

And this request from a country that, until 1967, gave aborigines the same voting rights as sheep.

Or, put in a blunt Aussie way, UK doesn't give a flying possum what Aus thinks.

MikeStanton

Not insular? Kerry Packer's organisation owns a big chunk of Oz media and is one of Oz's richest men. Myer as in 'Coles Myer'...

I've never had a problem with people speaking as they find in UK. In Oz work circles, you'll find backstabbing rife. Don't believe me? Just check out posts by a few others on the subject.

Which, logically, must include yourself.

Faceless? Mike Stanton's my name : is your's really Hevs?