Back in uk 6months after 6 years in Aus perth/adelaide now confused
Feb 25th 2012, 4:36 am
#16
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Re: Back in uk 6months after 6 years in Aus perth/adelaide now confused
Yes we are the same, we tend to avoid depressing people here and in the UK and are friends in England love a laugh and a good time and aren't full of doom and gloom. My advice would be to try a different area as it does sound a little grim to be honest. I generally find the south to be 'happier' overall.
Sorry to hear how your feeling...sometimes you have to look at your lifestlye and that includes your family and friends....in Aus when we first arrived we were surprised by how many migrants (from all over the world) use to winge about Australia...then our Aussie friends would winge about migrants, flies etc....we just took a step back and made friends with people who had a positive attitude...hence in Aus we had a nice up beat bunch of friends and here in the UK we have the same both sets of our family here can make something not so great into something better, maybe that where my OH and I get our attitudes from......I do find it annoying when people label countries with certain types...basically (and having travelled to remote places) most people can find something to complain about so if you think the answer is go jet off somewhere and that solves your problems well it usually does not. If you miss the Sun, Culture,Work,People, Country of Australia then head back...nothing wrong with doing that....Good luck....
Feb 25th 2012, 3:44 pm
#17
Finally Home!
Joined: Mar 2010
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Re: Back in uk 6months after 6 years in Aus perth/adelaide now confused
Yes we are the same, we tend to avoid depressing people here and in the UK and are friends in England love a laugh and a good time and aren't full of doom and gloom. My advice would be to try a different area as it does sound a little grim to be honest. I generally find the south to be 'happier' overall.
It does depend where you are in the north though. There are grim areas up there just as there are grim areas in the rest of the country. But there are also lots of lovely towns and villages with a real sense of community and you won't find friendlier people.
Feb 26th 2012, 12:10 am
#18
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Re: Back in uk 6months after 6 years in Aus perth/adelaide now confused
Yes sorry I should really have qualified that, I had to spend 2 days up in Doncaster and found it to be dirty and generally unwelcoming and found the ONLY miserable rude person in a shop during my whole 3 week stay. I had to stop off near by and to be honest the people I had to see were very nice indeed. I shouldn't have let that one incident tar everyone with the same brush.
Not to be argumentative, but there was a survey the other day that showed 9 of the 10 happiest towns in the UK are in the north. The unhappiest areas are the ones around London.
It does depend where you are in the north though. There are grim areas up there just as there are grim areas in the rest of the country. But there are also lots of lovely towns and villages with a real sense of community and you won't find friendlier people.
It does depend where you are in the north though. There are grim areas up there just as there are grim areas in the rest of the country. But there are also lots of lovely towns and villages with a real sense of community and you won't find friendlier people.
Feb 26th 2012, 2:57 am
#19
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Re: Back in uk 6months after 6 years in Aus perth/adelaide now confused
Not trying to be negative about the UK but after leaving after having lived in various countries I never settled . I have four children born in the USA and we visit the UK regularly and I still have a business and house there but just prefer living in the USA. Not suggesting you hop on a plane to OZ tommorow I hope you find somewhere you are happy whether it be the UK or elsewhere.
Feb 26th 2012, 7:19 am
#20
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Re: Back in uk 6months after 6 years in Aus perth/adelaide now confused
That's not being negative, you are just showing a preference. I wouldn't live in the US and have chosen not to live in Australia as we prefer England, it's just personal preference at the end of the day.
Feb 29th 2012, 12:19 pm
#21
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Re: Back in uk 6months after 6 years in Aus perth/adelaide now confused
Thanks for some great posts, I have reread them quite a few times.
Well I am taking some time now to figure out what to do next.
Like some of you I thought that going back to my home town would be a bad idea so when I returned to the UK I chose Milton Keynes instead, mostly as I thought it might be a little bit more like aus, with bigger streets and more spread out newer style.
After 6 months back I think I have almost decided to go back to perth.
The uk winter didnt bother me that much, sure it was cold but it only actually snowed for about 4 days and I didnt have any problems with it. I was surprised how short and mild the winter was, I remember it being much worse.
Its certainly shorter and easyer to deal with than the perth summer heat.
The thing thats surprised me the most and is swaying my decision is peoples attitudes. In my work I have been really surprised, stopped in my tracks almost by some of the negative, nasty things people say, particularly over the phone. I have had people go off at me over the smallest things, not just complain but angry insulting rants. Theres just no need for it.
I have been working at one of the worlds largest companies and expected a more professional person to be working there, boy was I wrong. Its also a strange atmosphere as well, walking into the office and having not one person say good morning or hello. I even got told off at my performance review as I was 1 minute late for 3 days in a MONTH. I thought they were joking at first, but no, they weren’t.
Before you say it, yes it could just be a bad company to work for and yes I am considering finding another one before I judge the country based on bad experiences at one company, but when I look back I can think of 3 other places I worked at in the uk many years ago that were just as bad. But back then I would have put up with it and not known any better.
Well I have just left the job, after giving a months notice and the end of it kind of sums up the uk work attitude for me. When I finished at my last australian company, they gave me a present and a $70 voucher then we went out for a meal and then went to play some pool. Another aus company took me out for a meal as well when I finished.
I leave the UK company, I get a few handshakes with some of the people I actually liked, have to return all items and desk stationary which is carefully ticked off a list then get escorted out of the building!.
My australian companies all thought I was brilliant and told me so often, I felt a bit awkward about it sometimes. The uk firm despite me breaking all the stats and performance indicators of everyone there, beating people who had been in the department years, the best I got was 'your doing ok'.
The more I way up the positive people in australia to the negative ones here in the uk the more I think my decisions a simple one. Dont get me wrong I have met a few nice people in the uk, just few and far between, and they have been a lot harder to get to know.
I am going to take this month and decide, its a big expensive thing to do as some have said.
I love reading the comments on this great site so please let me know what you all think, sorry to ramble on so much!
Well I am taking some time now to figure out what to do next.
Like some of you I thought that going back to my home town would be a bad idea so when I returned to the UK I chose Milton Keynes instead, mostly as I thought it might be a little bit more like aus, with bigger streets and more spread out newer style.
After 6 months back I think I have almost decided to go back to perth.
The uk winter didnt bother me that much, sure it was cold but it only actually snowed for about 4 days and I didnt have any problems with it. I was surprised how short and mild the winter was, I remember it being much worse.
Its certainly shorter and easyer to deal with than the perth summer heat.
The thing thats surprised me the most and is swaying my decision is peoples attitudes. In my work I have been really surprised, stopped in my tracks almost by some of the negative, nasty things people say, particularly over the phone. I have had people go off at me over the smallest things, not just complain but angry insulting rants. Theres just no need for it.
I have been working at one of the worlds largest companies and expected a more professional person to be working there, boy was I wrong. Its also a strange atmosphere as well, walking into the office and having not one person say good morning or hello. I even got told off at my performance review as I was 1 minute late for 3 days in a MONTH. I thought they were joking at first, but no, they weren’t.
Before you say it, yes it could just be a bad company to work for and yes I am considering finding another one before I judge the country based on bad experiences at one company, but when I look back I can think of 3 other places I worked at in the uk many years ago that were just as bad. But back then I would have put up with it and not known any better.
Well I have just left the job, after giving a months notice and the end of it kind of sums up the uk work attitude for me. When I finished at my last australian company, they gave me a present and a $70 voucher then we went out for a meal and then went to play some pool. Another aus company took me out for a meal as well when I finished.
I leave the UK company, I get a few handshakes with some of the people I actually liked, have to return all items and desk stationary which is carefully ticked off a list then get escorted out of the building!.
My australian companies all thought I was brilliant and told me so often, I felt a bit awkward about it sometimes. The uk firm despite me breaking all the stats and performance indicators of everyone there, beating people who had been in the department years, the best I got was 'your doing ok'.
The more I way up the positive people in australia to the negative ones here in the uk the more I think my decisions a simple one. Dont get me wrong I have met a few nice people in the uk, just few and far between, and they have been a lot harder to get to know.
I am going to take this month and decide, its a big expensive thing to do as some have said.
I love reading the comments on this great site so please let me know what you all think, sorry to ramble on so much!
Feb 29th 2012, 12:33 pm
#22
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Re: Back in uk 6months after 6 years in Aus perth/adelaide now confused
I do think England can be a very negative place - but I also think you worked at a really awful company. I have friends who work for good companies in the UK, so it's not all bad.
But if other peoples' attitudes affect you so much, perhaps you would be happier in Perth. What were the reasons you left?
Have you considered moving to a more traditionally English place than Milton Keynes? You say you picked it because it might be like Australia but of course it can't be. Instead it's probably just a bit soulless and less than pretty. Why not move somewhere nicer and try the best Britain has to offer?
But if other peoples' attitudes affect you so much, perhaps you would be happier in Perth. What were the reasons you left?
Have you considered moving to a more traditionally English place than Milton Keynes? You say you picked it because it might be like Australia but of course it can't be. Instead it's probably just a bit soulless and less than pretty. Why not move somewhere nicer and try the best Britain has to offer?
Last edited by sallysimmons; Feb 29th 2012 at 12:36 pm.
Feb 29th 2012, 12:36 pm
#23
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Location: NS, Canada 2007-2013. Now....England!
Posts: 2,211
Re: Back in uk 6months after 6 years in Aus perth/adelaide now confused
Thanks for some great posts, I have reread them quite a few times.
Well I am taking some time now to figure out what to do next.
Like some of you I thought that going back to my home town would be a bad idea so when I returned to the UK I chose Milton Keynes instead, mostly as I thought it might be a little bit more like aus, with bigger streets and more spread out newer style.
After 6 months back I think I have almost decided to go back to perth.
The uk winter didnt bother me that much, sure it was cold but it only actually snowed for about 4 days and I didnt have any problems with it. I was surprised how short and mild the winter was, I remember it being much worse.
Its certainly shorter and easyer to deal with than the perth summer heat.
The thing thats surprised me the most and is swaying my decision is peoples attitudes. In my work I have been really surprised, stopped in my tracks almost by some of the negative, nasty things people say, particularly over the phone. I have had people go off at me over the smallest things, not just complain but angry insulting rants. Theres just no need for it.
I have been working at one of the worlds largest companies and expected a more professional person to be working there, boy was I wrong. Its also a strange atmosphere as well, walking into the office and having not one person say good morning or hello. I even got told off at my performance review as I was 1 minute late for 3 days in a MONTH. I thought they were joking at first, but no, they weren’t.
Before you say it, yes it could just be a bad company to work for and yes I am considering finding another one before I judge the country based on bad experiences at one company, but when I look back I can think of 3 other places I worked at in the uk many years ago that were just as bad. But back then I would have put up with it and not known any better.
Well I have just left the job, after giving a months notice and the end of it kind of sums up the uk work attitude for me. When I finished at my last australian company, they gave me a present and a $70 voucher then we went out for a meal and then went to play some pool. Another aus company took me out for a meal as well when I finished.
I leave the UK company, I get a few handshakes with some of the people I actually liked, have to return all items and desk stationary which is carefully ticked off a list then get escorted out of the building!.
My australian companies all thought I was brilliant and told me so often, I felt a bit awkward about it sometimes. The uk firm despite me breaking all the stats and performance indicators of everyone there, beating people who had been in the department years, the best I got was 'your doing ok'.
The more I way up the positive people in australia to the negative ones here in the uk the more I think my decisions a simple one. Dont get me wrong I have met a few nice people in the uk, just few and far between, and they have been a lot harder to get to know.
I am going to take this month and decide, its a big expensive thing to do as some have said.
I love reading the comments on this great site so please let me know what you all think, sorry to ramble on so much!
Well I am taking some time now to figure out what to do next.
Like some of you I thought that going back to my home town would be a bad idea so when I returned to the UK I chose Milton Keynes instead, mostly as I thought it might be a little bit more like aus, with bigger streets and more spread out newer style.
After 6 months back I think I have almost decided to go back to perth.
The uk winter didnt bother me that much, sure it was cold but it only actually snowed for about 4 days and I didnt have any problems with it. I was surprised how short and mild the winter was, I remember it being much worse.
Its certainly shorter and easyer to deal with than the perth summer heat.
The thing thats surprised me the most and is swaying my decision is peoples attitudes. In my work I have been really surprised, stopped in my tracks almost by some of the negative, nasty things people say, particularly over the phone. I have had people go off at me over the smallest things, not just complain but angry insulting rants. Theres just no need for it.
I have been working at one of the worlds largest companies and expected a more professional person to be working there, boy was I wrong. Its also a strange atmosphere as well, walking into the office and having not one person say good morning or hello. I even got told off at my performance review as I was 1 minute late for 3 days in a MONTH. I thought they were joking at first, but no, they weren’t.
Before you say it, yes it could just be a bad company to work for and yes I am considering finding another one before I judge the country based on bad experiences at one company, but when I look back I can think of 3 other places I worked at in the uk many years ago that were just as bad. But back then I would have put up with it and not known any better.
Well I have just left the job, after giving a months notice and the end of it kind of sums up the uk work attitude for me. When I finished at my last australian company, they gave me a present and a $70 voucher then we went out for a meal and then went to play some pool. Another aus company took me out for a meal as well when I finished.
I leave the UK company, I get a few handshakes with some of the people I actually liked, have to return all items and desk stationary which is carefully ticked off a list then get escorted out of the building!.
My australian companies all thought I was brilliant and told me so often, I felt a bit awkward about it sometimes. The uk firm despite me breaking all the stats and performance indicators of everyone there, beating people who had been in the department years, the best I got was 'your doing ok'.
The more I way up the positive people in australia to the negative ones here in the uk the more I think my decisions a simple one. Dont get me wrong I have met a few nice people in the uk, just few and far between, and they have been a lot harder to get to know.
I am going to take this month and decide, its a big expensive thing to do as some have said.
I love reading the comments on this great site so please let me know what you all think, sorry to ramble on so much!
My husband always worked for big corporate companies and enjoyed the same experiences as me.
Feb 29th 2012, 3:46 pm
#24
The Kwisatz Haderach
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: North Wales
Posts: 8,080
Re: Back in uk 6months after 6 years in Aus perth/adelaide now confused
Thanks for some great posts, I have reread them quite a few times.
Well I am taking some time now to figure out what to do next.
Like some of you I thought that going back to my home town would be a bad idea so when I returned to the UK I chose Milton Keynes instead, mostly as I thought it might be a little bit more like aus, with bigger streets and more spread out newer style.
After 6 months back I think I have almost decided to go back to perth.
The uk winter didnt bother me that much, sure it was cold but it only actually snowed for about 4 days and I didnt have any problems with it. I was surprised how short and mild the winter was, I remember it being much worse.
Its certainly shorter and easyer to deal with than the perth summer heat.
The thing thats surprised me the most and is swaying my decision is peoples attitudes. In my work I have been really surprised, stopped in my tracks almost by some of the negative, nasty things people say, particularly over the phone. I have had people go off at me over the smallest things, not just complain but angry insulting rants. Theres just no need for it.
I have been working at one of the worlds largest companies and expected a more professional person to be working there, boy was I wrong. Its also a strange atmosphere as well, walking into the office and having not one person say good morning or hello. I even got told off at my performance review as I was 1 minute late for 3 days in a MONTH. I thought they were joking at first, but no, they weren’t.
Before you say it, yes it could just be a bad company to work for and yes I am considering finding another one before I judge the country based on bad experiences at one company, but when I look back I can think of 3 other places I worked at in the uk many years ago that were just as bad. But back then I would have put up with it and not known any better.
Well I have just left the job, after giving a months notice and the end of it kind of sums up the uk work attitude for me. When I finished at my last australian company, they gave me a present and a $70 voucher then we went out for a meal and then went to play some pool. Another aus company took me out for a meal as well when I finished.
I leave the UK company, I get a few handshakes with some of the people I actually liked, have to return all items and desk stationary which is carefully ticked off a list then get escorted out of the building!.
My australian companies all thought I was brilliant and told me so often, I felt a bit awkward about it sometimes. The uk firm despite me breaking all the stats and performance indicators of everyone there, beating people who had been in the department years, the best I got was 'your doing ok'.
The more I way up the positive people in australia to the negative ones here in the uk the more I think my decisions a simple one. Dont get me wrong I have met a few nice people in the uk, just few and far between, and they have been a lot harder to get to know.
I am going to take this month and decide, its a big expensive thing to do as some have said.
I love reading the comments on this great site so please let me know what you all think, sorry to ramble on so much!
Well I am taking some time now to figure out what to do next.
Like some of you I thought that going back to my home town would be a bad idea so when I returned to the UK I chose Milton Keynes instead, mostly as I thought it might be a little bit more like aus, with bigger streets and more spread out newer style.
After 6 months back I think I have almost decided to go back to perth.
The uk winter didnt bother me that much, sure it was cold but it only actually snowed for about 4 days and I didnt have any problems with it. I was surprised how short and mild the winter was, I remember it being much worse.
Its certainly shorter and easyer to deal with than the perth summer heat.
The thing thats surprised me the most and is swaying my decision is peoples attitudes. In my work I have been really surprised, stopped in my tracks almost by some of the negative, nasty things people say, particularly over the phone. I have had people go off at me over the smallest things, not just complain but angry insulting rants. Theres just no need for it.
I have been working at one of the worlds largest companies and expected a more professional person to be working there, boy was I wrong. Its also a strange atmosphere as well, walking into the office and having not one person say good morning or hello. I even got told off at my performance review as I was 1 minute late for 3 days in a MONTH. I thought they were joking at first, but no, they weren’t.
Before you say it, yes it could just be a bad company to work for and yes I am considering finding another one before I judge the country based on bad experiences at one company, but when I look back I can think of 3 other places I worked at in the uk many years ago that were just as bad. But back then I would have put up with it and not known any better.
Well I have just left the job, after giving a months notice and the end of it kind of sums up the uk work attitude for me. When I finished at my last australian company, they gave me a present and a $70 voucher then we went out for a meal and then went to play some pool. Another aus company took me out for a meal as well when I finished.
I leave the UK company, I get a few handshakes with some of the people I actually liked, have to return all items and desk stationary which is carefully ticked off a list then get escorted out of the building!.
My australian companies all thought I was brilliant and told me so often, I felt a bit awkward about it sometimes. The uk firm despite me breaking all the stats and performance indicators of everyone there, beating people who had been in the department years, the best I got was 'your doing ok'.
The more I way up the positive people in australia to the negative ones here in the uk the more I think my decisions a simple one. Dont get me wrong I have met a few nice people in the uk, just few and far between, and they have been a lot harder to get to know.
I am going to take this month and decide, its a big expensive thing to do as some have said.
I love reading the comments on this great site so please let me know what you all think, sorry to ramble on so much!
Please work somewhere else before you go back I'd hate to think this was your only experience of UK work life you'll be scared forever
Mar 1st 2012, 12:39 am
#25
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 862
Re: Back in uk 6months after 6 years in Aus perth/adelaide now confused
What a wonderful welcome for a returnee. Not. I'm really sorry to hear of your experience. My advice is the same as everyone else here: be absolutely sure before you pull the plug.
It is eroding to the soul to have a bad workplace. I'm not surprised you've developed the view you have.
Make a change; if things are the same-go back.
I have to say in fairness that I have had friends who have had a bad time in the workplace here. One sustained years of abuse, and finally had a heart attack-at 35.
Nastiness-and even bullying in the workplace is not restricted to the UK.
Just be sure. Your last post is very measured. You are clearly approaching things the right way.
It is eroding to the soul to have a bad workplace. I'm not surprised you've developed the view you have.
Make a change; if things are the same-go back.
I have to say in fairness that I have had friends who have had a bad time in the workplace here. One sustained years of abuse, and finally had a heart attack-at 35.
Nastiness-and even bullying in the workplace is not restricted to the UK.
Just be sure. Your last post is very measured. You are clearly approaching things the right way.
Mar 2nd 2012, 7:30 pm
#26
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Savannah, GA
Posts: 6
Re: Back in uk 6months after 6 years in Aus perth/adelaide now confused
Wow what a horrible company to work for, and the handshake and escort from the building sounds so American. I handed in two weeks notice here and was told 30 minutes later we don't need you anymore, go home your fired
Please work somewhere else before you go back I'd hate to think this was your only experience of UK work life you'll be scared forever
Please work somewhere else before you go back I'd hate to think this was your only experience of UK work life you'll be scared forever
Mar 2nd 2012, 8:07 pm
#27
Banned
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: The REAL Utopia.
Posts: 9,910
Re: Back in uk 6months after 6 years in Aus perth/adelaide now confused
I have always had great send offs from work places in England, I still have many friends from the places I worked at and we stay in touch. I caught up with a few of them on my last trip back. Ironically the bad leaving experiences I had were here in Australia, the last one was after a holiday I became I'll and had to genuinely have more time off, when I went in the boss said I wasn't needed anymore and asked me to clear my stuff and was escorted out. I don't for one second think that applies to all companies here of course but without doubt the best friends I have made through work have been in the UK.
To be honest I think the OP has already decided.
To be honest I think the OP has already decided.
Mar 2nd 2012, 8:24 pm
#28
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Posts: 1,076
Re: Back in uk 6months after 6 years in Aus perth/adelaide now confused
I agree for me just find somehere that suits you, there are good and bad companies everywhere the same as there are positives and negatives with any country. If you are happy in a country there is no need to justify your decision nor portray other countries in a negative light.
Last edited by ottotheboar; Mar 2nd 2012 at 9:31 pm.
Mar 2nd 2012, 8:30 pm
#29
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Re: Back in uk 6months after 6 years in Aus perth/adelaide now confused
I grew up in Australia and don't expect England to be a smaller version, they are very different in so many ways. For us England is where we want to be as it offers US more. For others of course the opposite is true.
Mar 2nd 2012, 8:59 pm
#30
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 862
Re: Back in uk 6months after 6 years in Aus perth/adelaide now confused
I won't make it back to the UK. My mind lives there; my body here! But there truly is good and bad everywhere, and not just in the workplace.
(I had a very similar experience to you; escorted from the building. I was able to sue the b......s. And won
).