Cock-ups like the first one you mentioned, can happen the in the U.K as well you know.

You haven't half had bad luck in Oz so far, from what I have read

Hopefully you will have something turn out right soon

No, nothing is ever anyone's fault over here.

Seriously, nobody is saying it doesn't happen outside Australia. It just appears to have been taken to a higher level in Perth.

We are of course talking in terms of sweeping generalizations, and I think it is possible to generalize without being racist. In my experience, the crap service attitude is more prevalent and extreme (and accepted as normal by many) in WA than anywhere else I've ever lived.

Arkon is pretty blunt in his comments, but I really can relate to his frustration.

Am I being racist when I say poor service is the exception in Japan, but pretty much the norm in Perth? And that it could have something to do with culture and education and development of a social climate over time? That crap service in Australia has something to do with, perish the thought, Australia?

I'm not saying the UK is better, I'm not saying Japan is better. But I will say the service is generally shocking in Perth. And consistently so. That is the big difference.

We're getting into very dangerous territory here - I am reluctant to say what I feel is one of the main reasons for it because I don't really want to be expelled from this forum!

Don't know about anyone else but I can't help thinking that this thread is well past it's sell by date and going nowhere.

Oh but you just took it further

a lot of them are

Every country has its faults. No where is perfect. But no country in the world is ever going to improve if it constantly defends its faults by playing victim to racism

There are good and bad systems/procedures/people wherever in the world you live.

It's just that some prefer it in UK..... and some prefer it in Aus

Ooops

This post is now far too long to read all of it (although I did like the bit with the 3 armed suspect! ), so I hope I'm on the right track...

Generally, service in our neck of the woods is good, but we're always noticing the odd bit of "could do better" here and there. As a migrant looking to do business it's a great opportunity to show how it should be done, which I think was raised in an earlier posting. I'm sure it pays dividends and is surely the right approach.

There is so much paper-work in this country that I believe that many businesses are snowed under with it. Whether that's an excuse for a lack in customer services I should hope not, but there does seem to be a lot of it (paper-work, that is) and I can't help but think it must contribute.

I find the biggest problem to be businesses getting back to you and this attitude over here that things will be alright - "she'll be right" I think is the saying. That's fine if you're used to living this way, but hardly if you've just arrived and expect to be treated like you're used to. Many calls are never returned and it's up to us to get back to them!

Having been here for 18 months now I'm getting used to it. Take for example the place that we're renting which is also up for sale at the moment. It makes life a little tricky at times. The estate agent phoned up and gave me 3 days warning of a viewing. 3 days! That gave me plenty of time to clean-up So 9am sharp and there I was awaiting the agent and the prospective buyer. Neither turned up. So I'm running a test - I'm waiting for an apology from the agent. The viewing was on Thursday, and I know it was blowing a gale outside, but I'm waiting for an apology for keeping me in and making me scrub the place from top to tail. It's now Monday, and still no mention of it from the agent. Stuff like this happens, but not all the time. But you don't often hear about the good things, do you?

Apologies if I'm way off track here.

Paul
www.koalakonnection.com.au

That is exactly the point I'm making Robyn. To me race is genetically defined scientifically i.e Mongol, Asian, African or Aboriginal. Maybe there is a better word to describe large groups of different races living together in one country. I think the word racism and the the actual meaning of race have become embroiled in political correctness. To me yes calling a Welshman arrogant & stupid would in the politically correct sense of todays world be considered a racist remark.
However to say that someone is an Australian by race is not genetically correct unless they are of Aboriginal origin. Someone who is 4th 5th or even 10th generation born immigrants to a country will still be genetically African Asian or Northern European that does not make them any less Australian than say in your example of a person of Pakistani origins who's grandparents were immigrants to the U.K the child will be British undoubtedly yet in terms or race will still be Asian. You can't decide your going to create a new race by defining a specific point in time though you can add a bit of spice to the gene pool by different races combining and reproducing until as has happened in the U.K you can't visually define Angles Saxons Normans etc.
Someone said to me the other day "you may have an Australian born Grand Daughter but your still a Pommie". Is that a racist remark? I live here as do my Parents my Daughter and Grand Daughter. Are we Australian by race? No! but my Grand Daughter is Australian by birth. I hope she grows up to be fiercely patriotic to Australia and everything that entails.
All that aside some of the comments made on this thread are quite clearly derogatory.

Stop reading and contributing to it then! It never ceases to amaze me on here when people say things like "this thread is boring" or "it's passed its sell by date" etc. Don't continue reading it then! Its the same as the sad people that complain about stuff on the telly and try and get things banned, just turn over or turn off. The mere fact your still here and watching proves you have some kind of voyeuristic tendencies or turrets syndrome of the fingers and eyes. See a doctor….

Don't remember stating that I didn't. Why would I need a doctor My life, health and well being is sweet

Don't destroy your (pretty good, IMO) case by making jibes at people unnecessarily.

Arkon....I can see you get frustrated by things here in Aus and although we love Australia...I do see your point at times. Of course no one can say when a thread has run its course except the moderators. And some moderators are more finger trigger happy than others.

At the end of the day you don't like Aus and every experience you have of Aus seems to be negative and because it is in Australia, these things usually incur Australians. It therefore seems that this is a slur on Australians and some take it personally. Having said that, I understand why peole get upset when you seem to tar everyone with the same brush. Maybe you need to be mindful of the fact that not everyone is a sinner, so to speak.

It is good that you share your experiences however is it realistic to portray all Aussies in the same light?

There are good Aussies and not so good ones. There are good UK people and not so good ones. Same with any countyr/race. This occurs in all walks of life. And in all nationalities.

Dead horse??? Flog it baby.......