What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??....
Dec 21st 2008, 10:11 am
#137
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
hi
If we are still talking about services, what about the radio stations? Are they aimed at anyone below the age of 16? And if they are, why are they always swearing? Or are they aimed at adults with the mentality of a child? Every time i accidentally have the radio on in the car, i can feel my brain gradually turning to porridge. i'm not looking for serious issues all day long but some of the so called "jokes" are similar to what i would hear from my 10 year old. THANK GOD for uk radio podcasts. When will Australia make a radio programme for people that :
1. Have left school
2. Are old enough to not want to hear swearing every 10 minutes
3. Don't feel the need to be told a joke every 5 minutes
4. Can't stand the dizzy aussie chick presenter that sounds like she is about to laugh ALL the time
5. Would like to hear a song that they have never heard before....god forbid!
6. Don't want to hear 8 year olds calling up with the hope of winning something and getting so excited that they almost wet themselves
AARRRrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
ooh i needed that rant.
If we are still talking about services, what about the radio stations? Are they aimed at anyone below the age of 16? And if they are, why are they always swearing? Or are they aimed at adults with the mentality of a child? Every time i accidentally have the radio on in the car, i can feel my brain gradually turning to porridge. i'm not looking for serious issues all day long but some of the so called "jokes" are similar to what i would hear from my 10 year old. THANK GOD for uk radio podcasts. When will Australia make a radio programme for people that :
1. Have left school
2. Are old enough to not want to hear swearing every 10 minutes
3. Don't feel the need to be told a joke every 5 minutes
4. Can't stand the dizzy aussie chick presenter that sounds like she is about to laugh ALL the time
5. Would like to hear a song that they have never heard before....god forbid!
6. Don't want to hear 8 year olds calling up with the hope of winning something and getting so excited that they almost wet themselves
AARRRrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
ooh i needed that rant.
I don't listen to any of them in the morning.
Last edited by BadgeIsBack; Dec 21st 2008 at 10:15 am.
Dec 21st 2008, 1:02 pm
#138
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Ayrshire, Norfolk , Sunshine Coast
Posts: 131
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
Prior to ordering do a google (uk) search for discount codes for shopping at
M & S and you might find one for money off. If you still have a uk bank account and intend to do shopping over the internet open an account with one of the cashback sites ie Quidco/Mrs Cashback and they will give you at least another 5% of your order.
M & S and you might find one for money off. If you still have a uk bank account and intend to do shopping over the internet open an account with one of the cashback sites ie Quidco/Mrs Cashback and they will give you at least another 5% of your order.
Dec 23rd 2008, 8:25 am
#139
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: South Australia - previously SHeffield, UK
Posts: 277
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
Of course Petrol stations sell sandwiches, but they are like the ones your mum used to make in the 1970s with white bread and loads of butter.
JTL[/QUOTE]
I thought it was just my Mum that did that!! I can't stand butter now.
JTL[/QUOTE]
I thought it was just my Mum that did that!! I can't stand butter now.
Dec 28th 2008, 2:05 pm
#140
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,039
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
Supermarkets don't do Sandwiches...
Its a weird thing to miss, but back in the UK I'd always pop down to Tescos or M&S to get really nice well made sandiwches for lunch.
Not here. Even in Brisbane CBD, you have to go to a frikkin coffee shop to get nice sandwiches,
Of course Petrol stations sell sandwiches, but they are like the ones your mum used to make in the 1970s with white bread and loads of butter.
There was one decent Sandwich shop on George street in Brisbane, it used to be called 'Grab and Go' and it was exactly what I wanted. Now its changed itself into yet another coffee shop, so I have to queue behind 5 people ordering the thick skinny latte tall moches with sprinkles, just to buy a sandwich.
JTL
Its a weird thing to miss, but back in the UK I'd always pop down to Tescos or M&S to get really nice well made sandiwches for lunch.
Not here. Even in Brisbane CBD, you have to go to a frikkin coffee shop to get nice sandwiches,
Of course Petrol stations sell sandwiches, but they are like the ones your mum used to make in the 1970s with white bread and loads of butter.
There was one decent Sandwich shop on George street in Brisbane, it used to be called 'Grab and Go' and it was exactly what I wanted. Now its changed itself into yet another coffee shop, so I have to queue behind 5 people ordering the thick skinny latte tall moches with sprinkles, just to buy a sandwich.
JTL
I must agree that the clothes I bought in the UK were better than the one's in Brisbane...though being a hot climate we naturally have crap clothes. What can you do with a thin cotton shirt. I think places like Melbourne would have more substantial, and better made, clothing.
Dec 28th 2008, 2:09 pm
#141
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,039
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
We haven't been here long enough to say this for sure but we're surprised at the lack of family-friendly chain restaurants. So far we've only found Sizzler and a smaller chain Lone Star Steakhouse. Seems like if you want to go eat out you have to settle for fast-food.
I know you can go to the Hotels but usually they're overful with people drinking their weekends away and aren't exactly inviting for a family with young kids. I miss places like Beefeater, or 2 for 1 - the restaurants that were usually attached to the big chain hotels like Holiday Inn and Premier Travel Inn. They were really good value, usually good food, quick service and catered for young kids.
We could be completely missing obvious places but it seems like hard work to get a nice sit-down meal with kids.
The upside is that we've never had so many picnics in our life - certainly saves us a few squid.
I know you can go to the Hotels but usually they're overful with people drinking their weekends away and aren't exactly inviting for a family with young kids. I miss places like Beefeater, or 2 for 1 - the restaurants that were usually attached to the big chain hotels like Holiday Inn and Premier Travel Inn. They were really good value, usually good food, quick service and catered for young kids.
We could be completely missing obvious places but it seems like hard work to get a nice sit-down meal with kids.
The upside is that we've never had so many picnics in our life - certainly saves us a few squid.
Dec 28th 2008, 8:25 pm
#142
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2005
Location: Mornington
Posts: 1,650
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
[QUOTE=fish.01;7104054]We're not a chain restaurant kind of place. People like to eat at normal restaurants, and most of them are very happy for your children to come along.
What I dislike are the bistro type restaurants that serve RSL/pub type meals but charge the same as a proper one. All it is is an excuse to employ less and more inexperenced staff.
while I am on the subject WTF is parma all about
John
What I dislike are the bistro type restaurants that serve RSL/pub type meals but charge the same as a proper one. All it is is an excuse to employ less and more inexperenced staff.
while I am on the subject WTF is parma all about
John
Dec 28th 2008, 10:28 pm
#143
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 171
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
I find there is a lack of children's shops here unlike the UK where there a quite a few.
By us we have the choice of K Mart rubbish or Target slightly better rubbish.
Pumpkin Patch is now open in Joondalup so took my Son there the other day and I did manage to get 2 items but not a good selection for 9 year olds.
Looking forward to having the choice in the UK when we return.
By us we have the choice of K Mart rubbish or Target slightly better rubbish.
Pumpkin Patch is now open in Joondalup so took my Son there the other day and I did manage to get 2 items but not a good selection for 9 year olds.
Looking forward to having the choice in the UK when we return.
Dec 29th 2008, 12:26 am
#144
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
Don't like it, don't have it, it's hardly an item that's in every dish you find - well it's not in my world anyway. Talking of my world 
you must have some rubbish RSLs round your way - our closest is a top quality restaurant and only have quality staff and service. If you don't like the restaurant don't go there. I don't understand your post and yet I've replied to it. Hey ho.
Dec 29th 2008, 12:33 am
#145
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Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Sydney beachside
Posts: 3,505
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
Parma? As in Parma Ham? It's a staple food of Italy Don't like it, don't have it, it's hardly an item that's in every dish you find - well it's not in my world anyway. Talking of my world you must have some rubbish RSLs round your way - our closest is a top quality restaurant and only have quality staff and service. If you don't like the restaurant don't go there. I don't understand your post and yet I've replied to it. Hey ho.
Don't like it, don't have it, it's hardly an item that's in every dish you find - well it's not in my world anyway. Talking of my world you must have some rubbish RSLs round your way - our closest is a top quality restaurant and only have quality staff and service. If you don't like the restaurant don't go there. I don't understand your post and yet I've replied to it. Hey ho.I reckon if you don't like it - don't order it!
Dec 29th 2008, 1:37 am
#146
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Joined: May 2005
Location: Mornington
Posts: 1,650
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
Think he's probably referring to 'Parmigiana' (as in Veal Parmigiana - veal with a slice of cheese and parma ham coated in breadcrumbs and fried). Often on the menu in some pubs and clubs and sometimes abbreviated to 'Veal Parmy'.
I reckon if you don't like it - don't order it!
I reckon if you don't like it - don't order it!
Your right, I don't like it and I don't order it, but it seems to be everywhere, Parma and a pot for $10.00 etc.
Dec 29th 2008, 1:42 am
#147
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Joined: May 2005
Location: Mornington
Posts: 1,650
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
you must have some rubbish RSLs round your way - our closest is a top quality restaurant and only have quality staff and service. If you don't like the restaurant don't go there. I don't understand your post and yet I've replied to it. Hey ho.[/QUOTE]
Sorry I didn't think it was that hard to understand
I think a lot of restaurants try to cut back on quality staff and still charge the same as a top notch place and you are right I don't go to those type of places anymore.
BTW our local RSL is rubbish
[/QUOTE]Sorry I didn't think it was that hard to understand
I think a lot of restaurants try to cut back on quality staff and still charge the same as a top notch place and you are right I don't go to those type of places anymore.
BTW our local RSL is rubbish
Dec 29th 2008, 3:59 am
#148
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2004
Location: Birkdale QLD
Posts: 7,642
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
Think he's probably referring to 'Parmigiana' (as in Veal Parmigiana - veal with a slice of cheese and parma ham coated in breadcrumbs and fried). Often on the menu in some pubs and clubs and sometimes abbreviated to 'Veal Parmy'.
I reckon if you don't like it - don't order it!
I reckon if you don't like it - don't order it!
JTL
Dec 29th 2008, 4:50 am
#149
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
With the Italians being the 4th largest foreign born population group other than the UK, in Mount Martha, it isn't surprising that they cater for Italian tastes.
Dec 29th 2008, 4:59 am
#150
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Joined: May 2005
Location: Mornington
Posts: 1,650
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
Good God, you would be strung up if you insulted an Italian by calling that slop an Italian meal
Strange as it sounds, I don't think I know any people around here with Italian heritage. I don't know of many good Italian restaurants either, there are your usual pizza joints but not any thing other than that, unless anyone can tell me of one.