Why the difference...
 

If you want to say Australia is perfect, this is not the thead for you. Nor to tell me your negative views. This is not a me vs us debate.:)

What I would like to know is, *why* it is you are living in that so called ''parallel'' world and enjoying it when others are in dispair (or the other way around). Is there any decision or circumstance that makes your lot infinitely preferable? This does not mean you don't see any negative at all. (I would temper my positive experiences with negative ones - only I expect to experience negative ones and see them as inevitable, and often explainable).

Can anyone account for such a polarisation of views? I find it incredible at times especially when routine events reinforce the positive when others are still very much reporting the opposite - time and time again.

B

Re: Why the difference...
 

Attitude. Plain and simple.

Some come here having never been to Australia, willing to take what it has and roll with it. Others expect the UK with sun then constantly compare to what they used to have.

Personally, I am lucky enough to have travelled the world with work or with my family and understand that there is more than one way of doing things. I try not to have pre-conceptions and take things as I find them.

Re: Why the difference...
 

I think a lot of it is additude but also circumstance - i.e. being in the right place at the right time. Be that a chance meeting with a person who becomes a really good friend, the right place for you as a family to live or the right time in your life. Or you could call it fate :)

Re: Why the difference...
 

Totally agree. It's all down to state of mind/attitude.

Some things are done differently here - so what? There are more ways than one to skin a cat. The UK way is not necessarily the best and only way.

Look for the good, ignore the bad. It works for me.

(I'm one of the lucky ones living in the parallel version ;)).

Re: Why the difference...
 

Good points. I am not really into that sort of thing but always felt "fate" was behind our move. Also, we came here before house prices rocketed so can afford a few big toys like the boat. But then there are always pros and cons. 12 months earlier and we would be $100K better off -you just have to count your blessings.:)

Re: Why the difference...
 

It's simply a difference of opinion. Just because someone experiences something different doesn't mean you are right and they are wrong. Just different.

Maybe you find that harder to accept than you realise?

Re: Why the difference...
 

This is not about who is right or wrong. I agree with you: infact I think opinion is as important as attitude (like others have said). There are plenty of people with great attitudes who appear to have more negative opinions than they do positive. Above all it is a discussion forum and a negative opinion does not make a life.

I find it amusing that one country can polarise the opinions of so many, probably quite similar, people. I accept it, I find it sad that's all.

In fact I agree with 80pc of every negative thing ever said about Australia - but that negative thing either does not effect me personally nor others I know both Australians and migrants. For example, I see, and hear many of the negative things people report on my way into work but once I arrive in the city, that is left behind.

Re: Why the difference...
 

Agree with Worzel and Nightnurse. It's all about attitude. When we got on the plane in Toronto I said to Hub and the kids "ok, from this moment on Burlington is not our home. Home is where we are all together". Even through all the crap times we've had here we've always kept a positive attitude. We know that nothing is perfect, including Australia, but then neither are we.

Re: Why the difference...
 

How about this? If you are running away FROM the UK (normally) you are much more likely to struggle than if you are running TO Australia (for the hell of it).

Re: Why the difference...
 

The way the UK is going there is going to be lot of ppl running away from it..........we never came here with stacks of cash we came to Oz with a big will to succeed and a lets give it a go........weve been here 7 weeks and what we have experinced in that 7 weeks has overtaken anything we could have thought it to be.

Re: Why the difference...
 

I agree with worzel. People who come here because the UK is "bad" are, in my opinion, very likely to head back there within 12monhs. (not everyone though, Katsmajics other half !!!:))

Why do some people perceive aspects of Oz/or the UK as "bad" when others seem to disregard those issues entirely? It's down to the individual. I think that some people have experiences that are less than ideal, and then they are quick to blame their environment. The truth is, it doesn't really matter where they live in the world...sometimes they will experience good things...other times, bad things...

Re: Why the difference...
 

It's all about attitude. When we got on the plane in Toronto I said to Hub and the kids "ok, from this moment on Burlington is not our home. Home is where we are all together".



I agree with this, when we landed we said that from now on we will never call the UK home and never convert the cost of things from AUD to GBP and I think we have succeded in both of those statements.

The big thing though as everyone else has stated is attitude, I have always been a glass half full type of person and this has always helped, but if you are a glass half empty type then you may struggle.

Also we came because we could, not because we hated the UK, I still think it is a great place to live.

John

Re: Why the difference...
 

As you know Badge, and JonD, all others known personally to me, I have had the most ridiculously positive experience since the wheels touched the ground. If people are having a bad experience in Australia, they don't like me banging on about how good it is. I've been described as a liar, a fantasist and as a broken record.

- If you whinge about the UK, you will probably whinge about Australia. I've been criticised before for saying that those who are escaping the UK will be the first to return there. I stand by that statement.
- Australia is home. Look forward, not back.
- Find a positive in everything, even if it looks negative.

I love living here. But then I loved living in London too.

Buzzy

Re: Why the difference...
 

The exchange rate :rofl:

Seriously, people seem to take a far more realistic view of australias faults now they are not going to far less bang for their buck. Not much about lifestyle and I dont care what we earn these days.:D

But the biggest one is as others have said, leaving the UK because of the 'hithole syndrome. You still see those posts, loads of moaning about whats going on in OZ too.

However I dont think australia (or anywhere) is all positive or all negative for anyone really, not long term anyway, maybe in the first 3 weeks:D After that its ups and downs, goods and bads, positives and negatives, how many are 100% sure they will stay more than a few years.

Re: Why the difference...
 

Australia doesn't suit everyone and there are some things that people find as negative. Given this is an expat site, it's right to share those issues.

Personally I love Aus warts and all and didn't leave UK for any other reason than to try something new, and it worked. For us. However I understand Aus isn't utopia and there's nothing wrong with people sharing their negative experiences as well as positive. If everyone only shared the "happy clappy" moments this place would be bloody dull.

Re: Why the difference...
 

I totally agree! I am half Australian & having lived in UK since I was 4 always harboured a very vague idea that maybe one day I would return..

However I didn't really feel the urge until a succession of problems overwhelmed me. None of these were the UK's fault-just a combination of misinformed decisions and bad timing.

After years of being stressed to the max we "ran" from the UK to Australia. It was only 9 months from the day we decided to go to the day we arrived.

I loved living where I did & if it hadn't been for the stress we were under I would never have left not for weather or beaches or outdoor lifestyle etc etc. I have no kids and never will so that doesn't come into it.

I guess I didn't really want to leave the UK and go live anywhere else-it just seemed like a good way of escaping the things I didn't like about my life. On reflection I should have stayed and looked for better ways to deal with things & possible changes closer to home (oh, hindsight!)

:)

Re: Why the difference...
 

What about those who have been to Aus and know what they're in for? Or those that have been to Aus on holiday and find out it's not like being on holiday.
I know a few BE users who hardly ever post on here who haven't settled in Aus and are stuck there. I also know a few who are thriving and some that find it much the same as UK but with better weather.
Takes all sorts.

Re: Why the difference...
 

For me it is itchy feet. Having been an adventurer in my youth (which is what got us here) I now find that I need to adventure again having done the hard yards and stayed in one place while the kids were growing up. Now the kids are doing the adventuring and I thought it would be my time again. So, basically it's the been there, done that thing for me.

Re: Why the difference...
 

I know what you mean Quoll but from all you other posts it sounds like you would like to base yourself in the UK and take adventurous holidays from there-or am I wrong?? That's what I would like to do...

My parents were ping pongers UK-Sydney and we moved around the UK alot so I had a fairly unsettled childhood plus I lived in Hungary with my father for a bit in my early twenties after my mother died so I am pretty well travelled. Never had any problems settling anywhere until now-maybe my adventuring days are already over (but I'm only 34:p). I feel I might have been able to settle here 10 years ago before I put down such roots in London-living there with my hub was the longest I have ever lived anywhere. Maybe I'm just craving the stability I never had in my childhood?

Re: Why the difference...
 

I know these have all been said before but I think it depends a lot on attitude, outlook and brainwashing.

Re: Why the difference...
 

I agree with you. :) Not to be facetious (sp?) some people love dogs, some people love cats, some people don't like either ... not everyone likes the same things, it's that simple!

Re: Why the difference...
 

Sorry but that's BS! I'm sure there are a % who do the whingeing pom thing but there's also plenty who just don't like it that much! (for whatever reason). A lot also depends on your personal circumstances - where you live, your financial status and so on .....

If someone who went to live in Bulgaria/Iraq/England and didn't like it be classed as having an "attitude" I wonder?

Re: Why the difference...
 

Of course not. There are genuinely good reasons for not wanting to live in those countries :sneaky:

Re: Why the difference...
 

Everyone is talking about attitude..

But people who have a positive attitude also have their little grievances from time to time which seem to effect them that's all and point to the circumstances they have been dealt.

I think there are deeper more practical reasons too like interest rates, job type, socio-economic health, interests and outlook on life.

Going back to the acceptance thread that was running, I have nothing in common with my immediate neighbours (nor do the rest of the street) nor 80pc of the people who live in the suburbs but that is down to their chosen lifestyle not because they are Australian although alot of Australians live in suburbs(!) I don't have much in common with a lot of people. But that's an inevitable thing..

Re: Why the difference...
 

Yep, some people are born moaners and cope with change by whinging constantly.

Using the workplace as an example - whenever the smallest of changes is implemented you can see 90% of the staff spending the rest of the week moaning about it. Same sort of thing I guess.

Re: Why the difference...
 

I assume that was a deliberate attempt at irony? :confused:

Re: Why the difference...
 

No, of course not. It was pure sarcasm :D

Re: Why the difference...
 

There are other jobs where people strive for professional excellence and are too busy to moan, or if they do, it's just a critique and it's soon forgotten amongst other things. Our leadership suggest things and ask for feedback and it's just discarded when people don't like it. Very much a Chinese parliament.

The people on the train whinge about their jobs but they earn 50k if they are lucky and their jobs are highly process-orientated, admin style positions where team leaders seem born to be unpopular. These are the sort of jobs which both attract and maintain people who can't always rise out of them.

I think alot of people are in poor jobs.

Re: Why the difference...
 

I'm not sure what you are saying here:confused:

Are you saying people who complain are in lower paid jobs and this is why they complain? I accept there may be some who fall into this category and I also accept there may be some where social variables / pressures may make some unhappy however working in "poor jobs" or "highly process orientated" roles [your words] is not the factor:blink:

I happen to know highly paid, professionals [I am one of them:)] who find fault with certain things Australian so it's not exclusive to certain jobs.

Even though I am self employed, I speak out about the shite work ethics in Australia, the rife sexism and rife racism that had been eradicated in the main since 1980's in UK which still exists in Australia to a much higher degree. I have witnessed this working with other professionals who also speak out about the same thing in order to not sweep it under the carpet, but to address it openly. That doesn't make me unhappy living in Aus - but it does make me think there are some things needed to be faced up to and addressed. This is after all how the UK changed. Of course there are always going to be bigots but in the main things change if you stand up to be counted and accept not all things are rosy in the garden.

Working in "poor" or "highly process orientated" jobs is not a pre-requisite for unhappiness in Australia. People are smarter than that and working in non professional jobs doesn't make people any less smart or unhappy in life. I have many non professional friends who are some of the smartest, funniest people I know - some love it here, some don't and all see the good and bad in Aus. People can be negative about Aus at times for many reasons but it doesn't necessarily mean they don't like living in Australia either.

Regardless as to what job people have, they reserve the right to love it in Aus whilst stating its faults too. It is their opinion which may be different from yours.

Re: Why the difference...
 

I look on it as a business opportunity. I've got several competitors in my immediate area (on-site pc tech support) and I've heard some truly amazing things about one guy who lives/works in the same town as me. The petrol station phoned him up on a Saturday because their main till machine had gone down and he said (in a pissed off voice), "My business hours are 9 to 5 monday to friday. Kindly call me back on Monday." Another customer of his was having email issues and phoned him up for help and he said, "If you haven't got to grips with something as simple as email, I suggest you take up a new hobby." :lol: Too funny. But in both cases those people are now my customers, so long may he continue being shite ... :D

Re: Why the difference...
 

Bloody marvellous post :thumbsup:

Re: Why the difference...
 

It can't help. I know Australian graduates who are very unhappy because of this - the poor sods on the train.

Noone said it was. But it can't help, And so many people criticise their work situation. I'm just going on what I hear.

As I said this orginally had nothing to do with opinion, or more specifically, who is right and wrong - (and I've said it again)I was trying to get to the bottom of *why* some people have it harder than others.

The work situation is key I think....

Re: Why the difference...
 

Definitely attitude.

I started enjoying the UK a lot more when I made an effort to change the way I viewed it.

Now I'm about to buy a return train ticket from Walsall to Hove, and the fact that it's £164 doesn't faze me at all. I've come to accept that this is how things are done over here.

:)

Re: Why the difference...
 

Lian Li case, eh. Very nice - but what you putting inside it? Hmmm? :D

Re: Why the difference...
 

Q6600 SLACR; 4Gb GeIL PC6400 RAM; Asus P5KC; Gigabyte 8800GT 512MB; Enermax Liberty 620; Vista 64-bit, a couple of HDDs, and a Lightscribe DVD burner.

:thumbup:

Re: Why the difference...
 

Digging everything except the 8800GT ... seems a weak point in an otherwise high end load-out.

Re: Why the difference...
 

I'd love to have a higher spec card, but I honestly can't justify the expense.

The 8800GT will set me back £118, while next step up (a GTS or GTX) starts at £146 for the GTS and £211 for the GTS. The only thing the GTS can offer me is an extra 16 stream processors for an additional £28. The GTX offers 16 extra stream processors and another 256Mb, but I'd pay an additional £93 for the privilege.

Since I won't be running a Crossfire setup and I'm not playing Crysis (or anything equivalent), I don't think it's worth the money. World of Warcraft is my most demanding game, and the 8800 will eat it for breakfast (I'm currently using a 512Mb Radeon HD 2600 Pro).

I did consider the 9600 series, but it's a bit of a swiz; fewer stream processors than the 8800, with clock speeds no higher than I could achieve with a stock or slightly overclocked 8800.

The next generation cards (9800) start at around £188, which is reasonably good value but far more than I can afford to spend at this stage.

Currently, the only things left for me to buy are the motherboard, cpu and graphics card. I'll be leaving the card last, since I can stay with the Radeon for a good while yet. If prices come in the meantime, I'll consider a 9800. If not, I'll just grab the 8800.

:)

Re: Why the difference...
 

Yep, you're spot on Hutch. That's what I do too. I offer a service outside of the *norm* and some things that I suggest which are second nature to management practices in Europe and UK are seen as *revolutionary* here.

The problem I see is where the work ethics mindset needs to change and to do this we have to admit that it exists. I remember in the early 80's where corporations in UK wouldn't address racism, sexism, bullying and harassment and a plethora of bad management practices. They paid lip service to it for various reasons. In the main a) no one would admit these things were happening b) to admit would be seen as weak and open to litigation and c) no one knew how to manage these bad practices. However some 20+years later the UK finally moved on. I'm not saying UK work ethics are perfect however no longer is it acceptable to treat the workforce like crap, swapping and changing contractual obligations to suit business. Nowadays a business has to explain itself and is accountable. This measn in the main companies treat people / the workforce with value and respect and the relationship between an employer & employee is one of joint venture. A company pays its people to turn up and do a good job and for this it is expected to manage with respect and involve staff in decision making. No longer is someone expected to put up with racism, sexism, harassment and bullying. I'm not saying UK has got it 100% right, but the law sure as hell makes sure organisations are held accountable and suffer the consequences if they get it wrong with heavy fines and their name set in case law for prosperity if they get it wrong.

In Aus, it's like the UK was before the change. The workforce is deemed as a disposable asset. The more we speak up against this mentality, the more big business will listen. And the government are the worst culprits. Those of us who can make a difference, should make a difference rather than keep schtum and pretend it isn't happening and Aus is utopia. This is also important when new migrants give everything up to come here, especially if they fall within the groups mentioned.

Keep doing the right things Hutch and good luck in your business:thumbsup:

Re: Why the difference...
 

You can't judge by speaking to an exclusive / small sample size of undergrads on a train. The "poor sods on the train" do not represent a whole marketing population. This is not a great sample in statistical terms:blink:

So people complain about the work ethics over here? Perhaps that's telling us something ;)

Perhaps we could listen and learn something then. We might even be in a position to change things for the better if we stop pretending they don't happen:)

You could be right:)

Re: Why the difference...
 

Thanks hon:o