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In supermarkets in Australia...

In supermarkets in Australia...

Old Apr 28th 2012, 1:06 pm
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Default In supermarkets in Australia...

...no one ever seems to say thanks if you give way or stand aside and let them through. No eye contact, no mumble, nothing. They just carry on about their business, very bloody slowly too I might add.

the ungrateful shits

Now I just ram them.
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Old Apr 28th 2012, 1:09 pm
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Default Re: In supermarkets in Australia...

Surely "in Australia" is too specific...why not go for the "in the southern hemisphere" given that's the side of the world your local shops are in
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Old Apr 28th 2012, 1:09 pm
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Default Re: In supermarkets in Australia...

Originally Posted by In Exile
...no one ever seems to say thanks if you give way or stand aside and let them through. No eye contact, no mumble, nothing. They just carry on about their business, very bloody slowly too I might add.

the ungrateful shits

Now I just ram them.
Very much like the drivers then?
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Old Apr 28th 2012, 1:46 pm
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Default Re: In supermarkets in Australia...

Originally Posted by Grayling
Very much like the drivers then?
Took the words right out of my mouth
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Old Apr 28th 2012, 1:58 pm
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Default Re: In supermarkets in Australia...

I too noticed this in the beginning..........seems more normal now. I put it down to me being 'too' English lol!
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Old Apr 28th 2012, 5:24 pm
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Default Re: In supermarkets in Australia...

Originally Posted by In Exile
...no one ever seems to say thanks if you give way or stand aside and let them through. No eye contact, no mumble, nothing. They just carry on about their business, very bloody slowly too I might add.

the ungrateful shits

Now I just ram them.
If you rammed some of the biggies in Queensland the trolleys would need re-smelting.
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Old Apr 28th 2012, 7:18 pm
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Default Re: In supermarkets in Australia...

could have said the same in Costco and Asda Croydon today.

Could have been Croydon or the fact it is pissing down with rain for the 30th day in a row and everyone is trying to find somewhere to shelter from the rain.
Supermarkets are it and they are carrying their driving skills into the aisles
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Old Apr 28th 2012, 10:06 pm
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Default Re: In supermarkets in Australia...

My suburb must be polite then, as most people here will say thank you or sorry, and will move out of the way if you say excuse me.
Mind you, most of us here are British or Saffas and only 25% native Aussies.
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Old Apr 28th 2012, 10:52 pm
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Default Re: In supermarkets in Australia...

Originally Posted by carolinephillips
My suburb must be polite then, as most people here will say thank you or sorry, and will move out of the way if you say excuse me.
Mind you, most of us here are British or Saffas and only 25% native Aussies.
My suburb is polite too. I do tend to shop early though so there aren't many people in the shop to begin with.

It's a different story if we venture down to Penrith!
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Old Apr 29th 2012, 1:05 am
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Default Re: In supermarkets in Australia...

I generally find that Australians are too laid back to overindulge on some things that are not that important. So rather than say, apologise for everything, like the Brits are capable of doing, they steer a straight course - neither apologising, (but then neither thanking) all the time. It's a sort of tolerance - by not over indulging or potentially embarassing someone. In Germany, if someone is thanked, then the reply is 'Bitte': "Please". (Don't mention it)".

Blatant displays of kindness will be thanked of course, and especially outside the mainsteam suburban.

The thing is that when you are out in shops, out in malls, it's all very impersonal.
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Old Apr 29th 2012, 5:00 am
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Default Re: In supermarkets in Australia...

Originally Posted by BadgeIsBack
The thing is that when you are out in shops, out in malls, it's all very impersonal.
agreed, but i thought it would be a common courtesy anywhere. A person can visually acknowledge that you have done something to accommodate their needs, or have given them the priority, they could at least acknowledge it. even if its just with a heavier than usual mouthbreathe and a flick of the eyes.

It just seems at odds with the (mis)conception that Australia is a really friendly place and everyone is your mate.
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Old Apr 29th 2012, 6:38 am
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Default Re: In supermarkets in Australia...

The supermarkets here are not busy enough to have to move or ask people to move. I love it! :-)
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Old Apr 29th 2012, 7:27 am
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Default Re: In supermarkets in Australia...

Originally Posted by In Exile
agreed, but i thought it would be a common courtesy anywhere. A person can visually acknowledge that you have done something to accommodate their needs, or have given them the priority, they could at least acknowledge it. even if its just with a heavier than usual mouthbreathe and a flick of the eyes.

It just seems at odds with the (mis)conception that Australia is a really friendly place and everyone is your mate.
True - I have often said [that in cities], Australians don't gush - this does not mean they are not friendly. What seperates Australians from Brits, in my opinion, is that Australians don't sweat the small stuff.

Remember, mateship is about a shared experience with people of your own kin...you'd be more likely to find mates in country towns, etc.

Having said that, I do find strangers will talk to you about your kids etc..

Where we live, as it happens, people are quite friendly but then it's far from the 'madding crowd'...
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Old Apr 29th 2012, 7:44 am
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Default Re: In supermarkets in Australia...

I must use supermarkets in polite suburbs as well. However I have polite people in cars, waving me out of sideroads, thanking me when I do the same. Much the same as where I came from. Irritating ******s everywhere if you go looking for them, I don't. Either that or I piss everyone else off so much they steer clear of me. They do it with a smile so no worries.
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Old Apr 29th 2012, 7:49 am
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Default Re: In supermarkets in Australia...

Originally Posted by moneypenny20
I must use supermarkets in polite suburbs as well. However I have polite people in cars, waving me out of sideroads, thanking me when I do the same. Much the same as where I came from. Irritating ******s everywhere if you go looking for them, I don't. Either that or I piss everyone else off so much they steer clear of me. They do it with a smile so no worries.
Have to be honest, we get the waving, acknowledgement from cars here too (no not that waving). Down the road too, not just up here.
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