Re: Observations of life in Australia
 

I don't think so.

I now people who live in the Redlands (Bayside Brisbane) and were worried about picking up a hire car in London. Their comment afterwards was that they needn't have worried as they couldn't believe how courteous drivers in London were in comparison.

It's a strange phenomenon the Australian driving aggresion, I'm not sure where it comes from and why but to my mind it's definitely there...and has been said, people who are otherwise nice as pie have a different side when they get behind the wheel. :confused:

Driving along busy Hoddle St in Melbourne last night we were stuck behind a car with its left indicator on, for ages, because anyone seeing the indicator in the target lane immediately accelerated to close the gap to prevent the car getting in. This is what you see all the time.

Re: Observations of life in Australia
 

I think it happens because people want to get where they want to get. It happens at times. Were you driving at a fairly busy time? But in general rural areas are better than cities. And people forget - Australian cities are car cities, really. It's a car culture.

Road rules hmmm...I'll never forget learning that in parts of Europe that English-learned practises do not apply there - the road rules are the rules - and in this case, they were the reverse anyhow and were not variable based on custom.

This works quite well, even in Bogan Fountain Gate. It's first come first served, and people tend not to abuse it - applying a bit of common sense (and I daresay even courtesy) even in areas where they could probably get away with pushing it.

Local knowledge and practise. The situation is clearly not black and white.

Re: Observations of life in Australia
 

Not something that is unique to Australia!

Besides, it wouldn't excuse the kind of thing I'm talking about anyway.

Re: Observations of life in Australia
 

No - it isn't. It doesn't. Mexico City is far worse. It's the only place where I actually am quite nervous to drive. Really nervous. And it's dangerous too.

Re: Observations of life in Australia
 

Just try to get into a lane of traffic on Qantas Drive, Sydney with a never ending stream of taxi drivers and courier vans, I swear they are the most surly and discourteous of the bunch, sure they may have deadlines to meet, but 20 - 30 seconds of letting somebody in isn't going to kill them............

Re: Observations of life in Australia
 

Food in general has much much more sugar in it. Chocolate, ice cream, etc is quite unpalatable. Cordial needs stacks of water to be added to offset the very sugary flavouring. Even baked beans are very sweet. Wifey informs me that sugar is cheaper here. Dentists must do well. There's not much in the way of sugar free stuff to be found.

Overall the food is good - especially the meat. Thought of developing my own veggy garden to offset their high price, but seeds are very expensive too.

Re: Observations of life in Australia
 

How long have you been here now?

Re: Observations of life in Australia
 

I have to disagree, being quite an Ice Cream and Chocolate eater :lol:

Never actually checked the sugar content, but as I just happen to have a bar here ;) Sugar 57.2gm per 100gms Cadbury Old Jamaica.

The normal Dairy Milk bars are 56.7g per 100g Cadbury UK and 56.2g per 100g Cadbury AU

Re: Observations of life in Australia
 

I used to prefer the Aussie chocolate but over the yers I've gone back to the UK stuff more and more, not a conscious thing, just a change in personal taste :confused: I agree on the ice cream, don't really like the taste here - I thought I had just gone off ice cream till I was back home last,then again I realised its the taste that I don't like, and back home I was quite happy to eat it.

Re: Observations of life in Australia
 

I have found that food here generally has more sugar in it. I find some of the cheaper yoghurts here too sweet to eat - there is more sugar than fruit taste in them.
I have often wondered if it is because Australia is supporting its sugar cane industry in Far North Queensland.

As for driving, I have wondered about why the supposedly laid back Aussies suddenly become aggressive behind the wheel of a car.

Is it because they are a more competitive outgoing nation than the more reserved Brits and see driving as almost a sporting activity to win at all cost. I don't know the answer....but it's just a thought.

Re: Observations of life in Australia
 

Same. Tastes the same to me and I consider myself an ice cream abuse victim.

The only piss poor show here is that I can't get Hagan Daz.

On the plus side I now have a Baskin and Robins within walking distance....:o

Re: Observations of life in Australia
 

Ozzies don't back down, that is one trait I've noticed. No matter how glaringly obvious their mistake, it is always someone elses fault or they say they didn't do it.

So if they break a computer system, not their fault (e.g. Queensland Health Payment System).

Build a white elephant De-salination plant (not their fault, you wanted it)

Have enorrmous parties that get out of control (not my fault, it was the others at the party)

No-one ever takes responsibility for their actions here, it is always someone elses fault.

JTL

Re: Observations of life in Australia
 

:thumbup::rofl: Now wait for the "Yeah but.... " party to arrive.

Re: Observations of life in Australia
 

Nothing wrong with the Victorian Desal plant...

I got a nice end of financial year bonus because of the profit my business unit are making on the work there :thumbup::D

Re: Observations of life in Australia
 

I'm absolutely convinced, there will be an even bigger 2nd desal plant being built within the next 20 to 25 years. We definitely need it... one years decent rainful in 14 years doesnt mean the drought has broken properly yet. The Dam levels are still only 55 pct tops.


I for one am more than happy to pay the extra costs on my Water Rates... especially if I dont have to endure the Brown Dusty Garden landscapes we have had to endure over the last 10 years or so every January February and March.

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