Originally Posted by Hutch

Hmmm - I haven't actually mentioned either way what I feel about the big 'home' debate - I was referring to the way that certain people who have returned to the UK feel drawn back to the Oz forums like moths to a light.

But since you picked on me, Flea.



Well obviously that's the case for you, but it isn't for everyone. I don't feel this big attachment to England the way some others do. Not saying there's anything wrong with feeling that attachment, just that it's not a given. Home is quite literally where my wife and son and house and dog are. I mean, all this quoting Rupert Brooke poetry and the like (not singling anyone out - just making a point) - the day I start doing that, drive me to the airport.



Personally ... I didn't need any convincing.



I think you've hit on something here - there are those that wallow in the past ... and those that look forwards. Guess I'm one of the latter.



Betrayal of your history? What does that mean? That anyone who calls Australia home is a traitor to 'Great' Britain and should be sent to the tower pending a humiliating execution?

The fact that you could call somewhere outside the UK - 'home' - does not demean the primary school you went to, the first person you kissed or your appearance on Blankety Blank. I've always thought of myself as a citizen of Earth - I am not defined by the country I was born in or any of the many countries I lived in, in later life. I support England in the cricket and the rugby, Australia in soccer, the Lakers in basketball, and the Rangers in ice hockey. It's all well and good to move here and decide you don't like the place and then come over all nationalistic about England - but how did you feel when you were preparing for the move?

Originally Posted by Timber Floor Au

Of all the conversations, to bring the word SUBBUTEO into, this wasnt one of them.

Originally Posted by Fleaflyfloflum

How can you equate wanting to live where you feel more at home languishing in the past? If your mentality, outlook on life and looking back instead of forward is backward thinking then yes, but where you live has nothing to do with that. I want ot go home to help raise my disabled grandaughter and be a big part of her life. Is that backward thinking? I dont think so. Very much forward in my mind.

Originally Posted by Fleaflyfloflum

But there is a difference to my leaving England as oppsoed to most in the Barbie. I did not leave because i was disillusioned or fed up in UK. I left to go spend time with my Maori inlaws in NZ and then decided to hop the ditch to see what Aus was like seeing as we were down here!! Never had big plans. Not all of us on here fit into one box, but so many disregard that.

Originally Posted by Hutch

Nope - you're right - all fair enough - but it was this bit "30 to 40yrs of your life within a society which raised you, formed your adult personality, you lived, worked, had family, socialised, made friends and have your entire life history within it" that I was referring to. History would suggest the past, no?



All of which is fair enough, but you said, "if it works for you to deny your past." I'm certainly not denying it - I just choose not to wallow in it.

Originally Posted by Timber Floor Au

Of all the conversations, to bring the word SUBBUTEO into, this wasnt one of them.

PMSL

Originally Posted by E17Avenue

Yeah if you wanted to leave your past behind completely you should have moved to the US... they pretty much expect you to hand in your passport when you get the work permit.

Originally Posted by tyke

Coz I've been to bed and just got up.



Two schools of thought as observed by another poster.

Interesting...........

My rant stems from overheard conversations in the supermarkets and even last night in the pub.All quite whingey (sp?) conversations.Last night I had to move away from a group ,I just overloaded on these conversations.They make me cringe. We have tried very hard to settle here.Whatever it takes - and it's paid off.No denial,this country gave us an opportunity and we took it,with gratitude to her.

It has been a "trick" I suppose to call here home.

I've been back to the UK twice now and it felt like Deja Vu - but I certainly felt as if the country had changed after 7 years - or perhaps passed me by or perhaps I've changed?

Sorry if I really offended anyone but this is the Barbie and those are my thoughts.

Originally Posted by tyke

Aaaaarrgghhhhh - conjure up in mind's eye of Tyke gnashing keyboard!!!


Please,pleaseplease - those who live here in Oz - STOP calling the UK HOME!!!!

I just seen quite a few threads with "Back Home" in the text.

I dunno if it is a psychological trick but when we moved here we instantly stopped calling the UK home. Not as though we have forgotten our roots roots.

Home is where your heart is /hang yer hat/keep yer herd of Bedlington Terriers.:curse::curse::curse:

Originally Posted by Hutch

And yet, like a few others before you, you were drawn back to a forum for people living in Australia. British 'winter' getting to you?

Originally Posted by varnold

Bollox to you mate!!! I'll say what the hell I want and if saying home (meaning UK) makes us feel better as not forgetting our roots then thats what we shall continue to say, so up yours!!!! (each to their own an all that)