moneypenny20

Where did she say she wanted to live like a Pom? I don't even know what that means to be honest.

Pollyana

I came here to marry an Aussie. Marriage failed. By then I had a good career and if I went home I would lose that are there is little demand for natural disaster staff back home. I had planned to return on retirement. That now won't/can't happen for many reasons.

Retirednow

At least somebody gets it

the troubadour

But surely it is a 'mental' thing. Or is it preferring Marmite to Vegemite? What does it feel like to live like an Australian? Surely living in Australia,
would ensure living an Aussie lifestyle to an extent? For example hot weather would surely require an adaptation in dress and living as in air conditioning.

One can live pretty much however they deem fit and 'be Australian' in a sense, as it is hardly taxing to do so, while maintaining another language at home,
eating a wide variety of food, praying to different Gods, go to the beach, or as more usual probably these days, not go to the beach.
It all gets very confusing, just what living like an Australian is, unless one narrows it down to narrow Bogan pursuits.

the troubadour

Gets what exactly? I'm still floundering into what it is to 'feel an Australian'. I can be one and feel different things but still be an Australian, surely?

moneypenny20

I'm still wondering what it means to live like a pom.

the troubadour

Chelsea tops and Union Jack under ware could be a starting point? A tattoo on a skinhead forehead reading Made In England, could be a giveaway regarding alliances?
Doing a reverse' Aussie thing' carrying a jar of marmite around on ones person, claiming to be unable to live without it and most likely to throw up with that salt laden local
equivalent called Vegemite.
It could of course be just as well the need to recite Shakespeare at every opportunity (over that Banjo bloke) and support England in The Ashes. But I would have thought that more a case of uncommon sense.

Besides that, can't think of a single factor in what it must be to live as a pom.

Pollyana

I don't think there is any such thing as "living like a pom" or "like an Aussie". I live like me. Surely thats what everyone does. The poms I know here have a mix of their old culture and new culture in their lives, just like I do.
However, I do not FEEL like I am Australian. I will always support Nottingham Forest, I will always support Wales and England in cricket, football, and any other passing sport, because I feel a natural allegiance to them, I don't see it as "uncommon sense" to support England in the Ashes - its a loyalty and patriotism to the country in which I feel at home. Even some of the Brits I know here who love the place to bits, and have never considered going back, support the poms when it comes to the Ashes. I would never wear a Chelsea top as I do not support them. I am not a skinhead with a tattoo on my forehead - not do I know any,either here or at home. I have forgotten almost all my Shakespeare. And I prefer vegemite.

I feel no interest in AFL, State of Origin, Aussie TV programs, the constant shortening of words so you have to guess at what people are saying, the constant round of barbeques and noisy shrill parties in back gardens, the beaches, the incessant barking dogs tied up in gardens all day, the heat and humidity, and the general she'll be right attitude. It just doesn't suit me ad I don't feel at home in it. I never have and as I get older I feel I fit less.I want to go home to grey skies, more rain, and people who understand me.

Everyone is different after all. You may have assimilated perfectly into your new country Not everyone has been that lucky,and mocking them for it will not get you any friends.

moneypenny20

I think you've misunderstood his post. He's not mocking anyone, well possibly Retirednow. He's actually agreeing with you and me in that there is no such thing as 'living like a pom/aussie', well not that makes any sense anyway.

the troubadour

I suspect aspects of what I wrote went over your head. What I mean by uncommon sense, is that having good sense is never common. Obviously would support England in cricket. England know how to sing and laugh at themselves and besides The Barmy Army are good value. Rubbed shoulders with them a few times now, in Australia mostly, but also South Africa. A blast being around them.
Aussies take themselves far too seriously for my liking, as do some poms, that I suspect have been 'grounded' Down Under too long and have lost the irony regarding the situation.

Me assimilared? Probably not too many would agree with that but I suspect find it a little hard to pin down. I have lived under grey skies in Australia as well as constantly blue skies over different locations. So that part is achievable here. Not sure if making 'friends' really is much of a goer out here. Hard to get past first base, regardless of being in possession of 'a mocking tone' as you put it or not. I find few do, at least how I term it. At the same time I'm not sure outside of London, would really suit in England. That city is certainly not what it was in decades past.
But yes, the English humour and often aspects of the take of life are sorely missed living in Australia.

the troubadour

You just beat me to' pushing the button'. Although not attempting to obliviate obviously that poster, wires were certainly crossed. It comes from not picking up on the detail, thus jumping to conclusions. A very common fault in Australia. I guess that's a sign point as to that poster becoming far more an Aussie than she anticipated. Whether a good or bad thing, I guess is how you look at it.
I suspect that particular poster may be aghast at the suggestion.

moneypenny20

I think it's more that she's fed up with being called on life choices - not your fault, or anyone's really, it's always different people who don't know her story. It's the usual problem of not being able to pick up nuances in the written word. Catches us all out at some point or other.

Pollyana

She is also fed up with the fact that she cannot even travel home for years to see her family and friends, all of whom are on the other side of the world, she has had to postpone her retirement from 3 years time till at least 11 years time and then will have to retire and remain in a country she has come to dislike intensely, and she had just got up to confront yet another long shift dealing with nothing but COVID-19 statistics.

Yes I made a mistake by emigrating 16 years ago, a mistake I have lived with ever since, but it can't be undone, What especially annoys me though is when someone like Paulry, who has met me and knows my history perfectly well, also joins in with the chorus.

paulry

Uh, there was no "joining in the chorus" - as you put it. I have always been supportive of you - and you know it! I was agreeing with him because to a great extent he has a point. Sure, you're not happy in Australia and as far as I can recall you've never been happy in Australia. You were saying that when we met over a few jars of cider at Heathrow Airport all those 11 years ago and you haven't missed an opportunity to remind everyone since. Yeah sure, your chosen career... but if the unpleasantness of living in Australia among people you don't particularly like is the way that you feel then maybe it's time to give that up, take the plunge and go "home"? ...Even if life is tough to begin with and it means you have to do a less rewarding job back in the UK. At least you'll be among all your family and friends who can help you - and you'll be surprised how quickly things fall into place. But if it makes you feel better to offset your frustration by getting annoyed with me then that's fine, but just remember it is you who has the power to change your life for the better. Message me if you want to talk about it.

Kooky.

Is it bad form to quote yourself? Ah well.

Been out a year now, still feel much the same as before. Less tied to Australia, perhaps, and more open to a stint in the UK. We just go where the work is, if it's somewhere we fancy going. Expect we'll be back in Oz sometime but we'll still be British Australians. No reason to deny our roots.