The Johnstons

This is not another "what's better UK or Oz?" thread .

I am not expecting Australia to be Britain-in-the-sun, so to those who have already made the move, what are the biggest cultural adjustments you've had to get used to? I don't mean a drop in salary, just everyday things that you have to do there that you didn't do here, and vice versa. Any gems of wisdom that would help future newbies?

Cheers
TJ

Bordy

Its not a major cultural adjustment but I quite enjoy wearing my T shirt & shorts for 4 to 6 months of the year.
Coming from Scotland like yourself I don't think I owned a pair of shorts over there.
Also today I had the air con on, didn't do a lot of that either before.

Pootle

Probably not the answer you were expecting but just popped into my head! If I say to someone a time such as "half past two" they don't understand me! It's known as two thirty!! Also dates are eg November 25 and not 25th
Oh well, I guess I'll go back to the wine then.....

NedKelly

The only culture you get over here is the fungus growing in the bottom of an empty beer bottle that's been left on the grass verge for a month.

Ialibu

I drop my empties in the recycling bin. I don't throw them on my verge. Still, whatever rattles your chain

Luke I Amyofath

For you perhaps a while away from the grass verge is in order.
If it's been there for a month why didnt you pick it up before the fungus grew ?

The Johnstons

I knew I was in for trouble mentioning the word 'culture'
TJ

samnrob2

I don't remember seeing anyone ever posting this, but the main difference I've found is that when I go to work in the mornings, I always remember after leaving our apartment that I should have put my suncream on...


SUNCREAM PEOPLE!!!



We to go to work in the sun....go out to lunch in the sun and come home in the sun!!!


WOW!!!!! I love this place....


Although you should remember to put your suncream on...

Otherwise you'll look like a lobster...

contract skin cancer....


and die...

R

Caroline G

Isn't, 'the verge' known as the, 'nature strip'?

Makes you think there are going to be wildebeest running around on it....

Luke I Amyofath

Australia is a good english speaking country, after that its up to yourself to make the life youre happy with here, unlike ned whos seams like he made a mistake if all he can see is a beer bottle on the grass
Personally I think Australia has much to offer that blighty doesnt

fishface

Banks call you by you first name, a lot less formal.
lots of people don't wear shoes in shops and in the streets in the rain!
our hot water tank in Queensland was outside!
nobody believes you when you tell them that some bathrooms have carpet in them in the UK.
supermarkets don't sell alcohol, you have to go to the bottle shop for that, but they have a huge walk in fridge to get all you cold beers and wines from
people get up really early and generally go to bed earlier too, our neighbour used to cut his grass at 6.30 am after his daily 5.45-6.15 am walk.
The builders were banging at 7am. its catching though.
our sons b4 school club opened at 6.30 am too.
generally we found people a lot more layed back and didn't come across that class society thing, everyone spoke to us.
ps in uk ate my work lunch in the car, whilst doin work, it oz sat for an hour by the beach reading a book eating my lunch!!

samnrob2

I'm on board with the early morning thang..

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I'd see 5.30am voluntarily.

I used to stay in bed til 8am, get up, get a shower and be out of the house at 8:20am to be at work for 8:40am.

Now I'm up at 5.30am, go for a swim or jog and then watch a bit of tv, catch up on emails and generally take my time in the morning...weird!

R

Pollyana

Or .....you go to work in an air-conned car (cold) ...you work in an air-conned office with no windows (cold) and when you leave work its dark.
OK, I've had a lousy week, but right now I'd swap here for the Uk at the drop of a hat.

Bordy

Yeah don't you love that yoga under Sydney harbour bridge.

samnrob2

Aerobics oz style...mmmm