birdynumnum

Yes indeed, you are obviously lightweights

Bohemian

That is genuinely funny... I've NEVER heard that one before. Even the criminal incumbents wouldn't try that one on.

Bohemian

Oh well, we'll have to invent some sort of dire reasoning as to why we HAD to come back.

St.Georges Girl

First of all, I want to say how nice it is to see all the newbies posting and welcome to BE all of you. Triboy, as always, my sentiments exactly.

ps. I wish I could go home where I belong.

crystal23

Well I've only used the trains in Perth which tbh fair I found pretty good. Also the CAT buses were good - crowded but free Trains/Buses in Adelaide good too.

I haven't used the transport system anywhere else in Oz so can't comment but according to my ex-friend the transport system in the whole of Oz is wonderful especially Victoria.

Bohemian

Not saying it's not adequate, Melbourne inner city is OK, but "the best in the world" is laughable.

crystal23

I agree, I agree But my poor deluded friend thought that 'Puffing Billy' was a great day out. Now that's fine if you are into that sort of thing but I'd rather spend the day in Harrods (shallow person that I am)

pam0512

I have to agree with you on that one....I don't remember people saying UK was the best place to live either.....BUT! why do so many people from other countries want to live there????? It would seem that it is a magnet for migrants from all countries, even Aussies....

As Brits we all know and accept the problems that the UK has.....IMO Perth is about 10-20 years behind the UK in a lot of ways (good and bad) but it will catch up and then maybe (doubt it though) the Aussies will sit up and take notice that Australia is not the "crock of gold at the end of the rainbow" that they all think it is!!

Also I would really like to meet an Aussie (few and far between in the Northern Suburbs of Perth) that doesn't have a REAL downer on Brits.....it's almost embarassing to say your from the UK as they have this mindset of you immediately and, in some cases, the hostility and animosity is blatant! Maybe I'm just meeting the wrong sort of people though ....

Pam x

northernbird

I don't know you so this statement is not directed at you. I may not have been here as long as some people and I am not saying that people don't have these experiences but it has to be in the attitude shown by the english person because I can honest say that I havent had this experience during my 2 and a half years here. I have had nothing but friendliness shown towards me. I have had nothing but australian neighbours in the 2 northern suburbs I have lived in and been welcomed by everyone. I have had tradesmen in my house during my renovations and although some of them have been a bit feral they have been really friendly. I guess if I started spouting off about England and how things are done there they may have got a bit tetchy but to me that is understandable. I am genuinely sorry that you have these experiences, I hope your return home is a speedy one.

crystal23

I agree with you to an extent about blatant hostility in some cases but I have found that those sort of Ozzies in general haven't even left WA (or Perth come to that) and like you said have a mindset of Brits and stereotype you right away.

Most of my Ozzie friends have travelled abroad and most have been to or lived in the UK - I think they have a broader outlook than most. (Ex-friend in Vic is the exception).

The thing is sometimes Brits don't really help themselves. I have just become friendly with an Ozzie woman who has lived in Britain for 3 years. We were having this discussion and she made the point that she heard nothing but whinging when she was in the UK from Brits about the Poles all living in one area and having Polish shops spring up but those same whingers are desperate to get to Oz, go and live in a British area and have British Shops.

I can see exactly where she is coming from and yes before anyone asks yes I do go to the British Shop for my Bisto Gravy Granules.

In fact last week we were having coffee at Whitfords when we saw Mummy, Daddy and 3 little boys all dressed in EXACTLY the same football strips - shorts, shirts, socks and fooball boots - the whole lot matched - all walking along in a row. The mother was berating one of the children (that's how we knew they were English (yes English) who wanted MaccyD's and she didn't know where one was 'in this f*****g place' - Real Classy Lady.

They were causing quite a bit of consternation and I just wanted to shout out we're not all like that

I met an Ozzie couple a couple of days ago who do not like the British (or Asians, SA's etc etc) in any way, shape or form and were going on about 'a moritorium on immigration like Pauline Hanson wants' After getting an explanation about that particular arguement we made our excuses and went home.

So yes alot of Ozzies do have a downer on Brits but there are some really nice well informed Ozzies out there.

Whereabouts are you Pam?

crystal23

But I thought you told one bloke how plastering was done in the UK C

Sorry - couldn't resist that

xx

northernbird

The worst thing about my first plasterer who buggered things up was that he was English!

crystal23

Well you should have got a Polish Plasterer in then - half the price too

The English bloke has probably been here too long and learnt that shonky work is normal

Seriously hope it's sorted now

xx

northernbird

It was sorted, by a local Most of the work done in my kitchen was by UK tradesmen and the workmanship is excellent. TBH I can't fault the aussie tradesmen I have had either. The only problems I have had could have happened anywhere.

pommybird

I have to agree with NB on this one, we lived in Perth for 2 years and although I missed the UK like crazy I have to say all the Aussies we met were friendly, approachable and went out of their way to help us out. Although there were a few things I did not like about Perth I can honestly say the Aussie people we met could not have been nicer.

And to the OP - as for people back in the UK saying 'you are mad to come home' - it never ceases to amaze me that the people who say things like this are the ones that have never strayed further than a 3 mile radius from their own backyard!!