What does UK have that Oz doesn't?
#61
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,375
Re: What does UK have that Oz doesn't?
Enough said ...
*sobs* ... *sniffs* ... *wipes tear* ...
3
Hey all,
Still over in UK at present, currently doing TRA so a long way to go but its great finding out about Oz on this forum, reading about peoples experiences.
Started this thread cos I am interested in finding out what the UK has that Oz doesn't......yet.
Keen to find out what products, food, businesses, shops etc people miss out in Oz, be interesting to find out. So far people have said that they miss the cheap clothing and british telly (minority though, LOL), anything else?
Still over in UK at present, currently doing TRA so a long way to go but its great finding out about Oz on this forum, reading about peoples experiences.
Started this thread cos I am interested in finding out what the UK has that Oz doesn't......yet.
Keen to find out what products, food, businesses, shops etc people miss out in Oz, be interesting to find out. So far people have said that they miss the cheap clothing and british telly (minority though, LOL), anything else?
#62
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: What does UK have that Oz doesn't?
I must admit that in the UK the post office was one organisation that I had nothing but contempt for. There always seemed to be so little continuity between any one - From opening hours, to services offered to prices charged etc.
It really did irk me at times that I had an alleged post office 2 minutes walk from my house, but had to go into the city to tax my car because they didn't offer that service there.
And the fact that in Loughborough - a reasonably sized country town - the main post office was closed all weekend. What the hell use is that to anybody?
Grrrr. Rant over.
S
S
It really did irk me at times that I had an alleged post office 2 minutes walk from my house, but had to go into the city to tax my car because they didn't offer that service there.
And the fact that in Loughborough - a reasonably sized country town - the main post office was closed all weekend. What the hell use is that to anybody?
Grrrr. Rant over.
S
S
I'm off to take my parrellel universe medication. Lol.
Edit I realise that some people might be able to point me to examples of where the UK has better online services, but often these are not that well documentated, used, and often you do want to lodge in person and speak to someone. Having said that I lodged my tax return OK online here, and lodged applications for marriage certificates online, choosing to pick them up manually. All good.
Last edited by BadgeIsBack; Feb 19th 2007 at 12:26 am.
#63
Re: What does UK have that Oz doesn't?
My experience of Australia is the way some the basics get done and addressed - Centerlink, ATO, VicRoads (can get a number plate and photo license on the spot there - could you do that at the 'Postoffice'?)- and the range of services at the Post Office is actually - to be fair quite impressive - I can't really knock it. I was even able to lodge a passport app there without having to traipse somewhere else.
I've been very impressed by the efficiency of things here since I arrived. It's certainly not perfect, but I find many of the basic services are much less stressful, and more easily accessible.
S
#64
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Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: What does UK have that Oz doesn't?
I agree they do have a more efficient way of dealing with the 'day to day' life running needs of actually living - like going and sorting out a driving licence. Couldn't be easier. Not having to go to the post office to collect the forms, then fill in the forms, finding a Dr or a JP to sign the photos, then mail them back to DVLA, wait for several weeks, phone to enquire, find they never received the forms, repeat ad nauseum...
I've been very impressed by the efficiency of things here since I arrived. It's certainly not perfect, but I find many of the basic services are much less stressful, and more easily accessible.
S
I've been very impressed by the efficiency of things here since I arrived. It's certainly not perfect, but I find many of the basic services are much less stressful, and more easily accessible.
S
OK back on topic - the UK has more, more, [thinks for a while] older buildings - ones over 200 years old like churches. Loads of things that if you seek them out, can give some people a warm feeling.
#65
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 123
Re: What does UK have that Oz doesn't?
The women are certainly "hotter" in Oz !!
#66
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Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: What does UK have that Oz doesn't?
I find that a ready smile and a certain look that Aussie girls have more than makes up for perhaps other 'defects' lol. Apart from that there are real stunners.
The most beautiful English girl can be spoilt with an otherwise sour face or a kind of stressed look. It's sometimes noticeble when you go back.
The most beautiful English girl can be spoilt with an otherwise sour face or a kind of stressed look. It's sometimes noticeble when you go back.
#67
Re: What does UK have that Oz doesn't?
Completely 100 per cent disagree with you. The more I am in England the more I realise just how well everything is done in Australia, from the political system to the health system to the food to the transport system.
If anything people in England don't complain, that old "musn't grumble" adage... they might in the private sector but I cannot believe people accept having their rubbish lying around on the streets, lining up for close to an hour in a post office to get a stamp, having their transport network come crashing to a halt at the first dusting of snow etc etc
The term whinging POM refers to a section of english peope who go looking for fault wherever they can find it and then like rubbing it in the noses of arrogant Australians.
If anything people in England don't complain, that old "musn't grumble" adage... they might in the private sector but I cannot believe people accept having their rubbish lying around on the streets, lining up for close to an hour in a post office to get a stamp, having their transport network come crashing to a halt at the first dusting of snow etc etc
The term whinging POM refers to a section of english peope who go looking for fault wherever they can find it and then like rubbing it in the noses of arrogant Australians.
Might be different in SA or QLD - but, reading other posts I somehow doubt it.
#68
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Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: What does UK have that Oz doesn't?
Of course we're all different, have different experiences etc. To some extent it depends where you live, too - for example, in NSW, the amount of litter lying around the roads is staggering, the way the transport "system" (government run) fails is legendary and the post office queues are the same as in the UK. To compare your own examples.
Might be different in SA or QLD - but, reading other posts I somehow doubt it.
Might be different in SA or QLD - but, reading other posts I somehow doubt it.
I think the real problem is that people compare political problems with day to day problems etc. Strategic with tactical. Melbourne's transport is 'crap' supposedly but day-to-day it has not let me down in 15 months. Yet I know other lines are breaking left right and centre - apparently. Yet other people (Europeans) write in to the free Melbourne rag and say, you think that's bad etc its not.
Public service sucks too much money etc etc you need a license to fart, can't get the staff yadda yadda yet old Swervo and I get around quite happily in what must be a beuracrats' wet dream and find our tradies (bloke next door son) checking every 90 degree angle like his life depends on it.
#69
Re: What does UK have that Oz doesn't?
A long, proud history.
As an Australian I often wonder just how different my country and her people would be if we'd been around a lot longer than 200 odd years. I wonder what it would feel like to have that sense of history behind you (same as I wonder how the Aboriginies must feel to have at least 40,000 years of history).
As an Australian I often wonder just how different my country and her people would be if we'd been around a lot longer than 200 odd years. I wonder what it would feel like to have that sense of history behind you (same as I wonder how the Aboriginies must feel to have at least 40,000 years of history).
Last edited by Womat; Feb 19th 2007 at 5:41 am. Reason: Added to.
#70
Re: What does UK have that Oz doesn't?
A long, proud history.
As an Australian I often wonder just how different my country and her people would be if we'd been around a lot longer than 200 odd years. I wonder what it would feel like to have that sense of history behind you (same as I wonder how the Aboriginies must feel to have at least 40,000 years of history).
As an Australian I often wonder just how different my country and her people would be if we'd been around a lot longer than 200 odd years. I wonder what it would feel like to have that sense of history behind you (same as I wonder how the Aboriginies must feel to have at least 40,000 years of history).
#71
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,199
Re: What does UK have that Oz doesn't?
Oh i forgot to add that OZ doesn't have Prawn Cocktail flavoured crisps
Why o Why????
Why o Why????
#72
Re: What does UK have that Oz doesn't?
>>Where about in NSW is the litter staggering? Can't say I've noticed any part of it as being as bad as the UK *in parts*.<<
I used to think the UK was bad - but just drive for example from Goulburn to Campbelltown on the Hume Highway. It's like a council tip each side. Then there are the lay-byes....
I used to think the UK was bad - but just drive for example from Goulburn to Campbelltown on the Hume Highway. It's like a council tip each side. Then there are the lay-byes....
#73
Re: What does UK have that Oz doesn't?
>>Where about in NSW is the litter staggering? Can't say I've noticed any part of it as being as bad as the UK *in parts*.<<
I used to think the UK was bad - but just drive for example from Goulburn to Campbelltown on the Hume Highway. It's like a council tip each side. Then there are the lay-byes....
I used to think the UK was bad - but just drive for example from Goulburn to Campbelltown on the Hume Highway. It's like a council tip each side. Then there are the lay-byes....
#74
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 234
Re: What does UK have that Oz doesn't?
Over here I really like the Kettle brand especially the sour cream and chive ones. Yum!
#75
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,441
Re: What does UK have that Oz doesn't?
Back in the UK I did have pubs within walking distance but most of them you wouldn't want to visit ... you might walk there but you'd be going home in a ******* ambulance ... they are the sort of places where the bouncers give you weapons as you go in for your own protection
Chatham, Kent ... So good they named it once. (I make that 4 times I've used that joke on these here boards, I should retire it now). There isn't a day that goes by when not happy to be well off out of that place ...
I shall make do here with some Hobgoblin from my local-ish 1st Choice Liquor Superstore (shameless plug, they do a fine selection).
Cheers,
Matt