Aussie Cringe
Aug 30th 2009 | 7:05 pm
#61
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 202
Re: Aussie Cringe
I think this is a British flaw rather than an Australian one. Lots of Brits have a ''grass is greener'' philosophy whereby they blame Britain as a country for their own personal shortcomings and those of their partner/spouse and/or children. They convince themselves that life in Spain, Australia or New Zealand will fix all their problems. It's very convenient. A handy get-out clause in their minds. One size fits all. Move to Australia and it's all sorted. Very silly. People need to start realising that there are plenty of positives to the UK and plenty of negatives to Australia. No one seems to ever keep this in mind. Why? What's wrong with people? Pure habit of thought. Very hard to change. 
however I now realise that my kids are a pain in the proverbial a*se no matter where we live and will still whine all day about this, that and the other! joking aside, its given me insight into my short comings as a parent ie I was lazy in england - it wasnt anything to do with the weather or the system or the blah blah blah - I just didnt bother my backside but blamed those things.
being here and knowing very few people has made us get up and do more as a family so its been good in that respect - but its not to do with australia itself as the things we do tend to be things that could easily be done in england eg cinema, bowling, swimming pool (indoors) as my kids dont really like the sea, I actually find the flies and over hot days and the wind often make it difficult to get out of doors here too.
sorry - going off tangent a little. can i add another cringe?? its when people say "live the dream" - it makes me want to heave. i NEVER EVER referred to coming here as a dream - even when i was most up for it. i cringe when people who havent come here say things like "cant wait to live the dream" and give themelves avatars like "wannabeinoz" or "getmetooz" etc sorry if that offends but it does make me cringe!!
Aug 30th 2009 | 10:19 pm
#62
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,229
From: South Auckland
Re: Aussie Cringe
I think this is a British flaw rather than an Australian one. Lots of Brits have a ''grass is greener'' philosophy whereby they blame Britain as a country for their own personal shortcomings and those of their partner/spouse and/or children. They convince themselves that life in Spain, Australia or New Zealand will fix all their problems. It's very convenient. A handy get-out clause in their minds. One size fits all. Move to Australia and it's all sorted. Very silly. People need to start realising that there are plenty of positives to the UK and plenty of negatives to Australia. No one seems to ever keep this in mind. Why? What's wrong with people? Pure habit of thought. Very hard to change.
Aug 31st 2009 | 3:52 pm
#63
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,830
From: Perth
Re: Aussie Cringe
I think this is a British flaw rather than an Australian one. Lots of Brits have a ''grass is greener'' philosophy whereby they blame Britain as a country for their own personal shortcomings and those of their partner/spouse and/or children. They convince themselves that life in Spain, Australia or New Zealand will fix all their problems. It's very convenient. A handy get-out clause in their minds. One size fits all. Move to Australia and it's all sorted. Very silly. People need to start realising that there are plenty of positives to the UK and plenty of negatives to Australia. No one seems to ever keep this in mind. Why? What's wrong with people? Pure habit of thought. Very hard to change.
Although it is fair to say a number of people i knew also expressed a degree of disdain to Australia and had no interest in visiting let alone living.
With Australia rapidly becoming one of the most unequal nations in terms of wealth distribution,one assumes it only a matter of time before already considerable social problems escalate further and along with the over inflated housing costs,that people may just begin to question Australia's suitability as a destination perhaps a little more.
Aug 31st 2009 | 3:58 pm
#64
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,830
From: Perth
Re: Aussie Cringe
And then the kids grow up and decide that there a far better opportunities in the land of their parents..let alone vibe. Parents left to get old alone. Does happen.
Aug 31st 2009 | 4:03 pm
#65
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,830
From: Perth
Re: Aussie Cringe
I have to admit that i initially was guilty of thinking my kids lives would be better in australia - the climate would give us a better outdoor life, the relative lack of people and more open space, going to parks not over-run with hooligans etc. to be fair, i do find parks are generally not over-run with hooligans where we live - in fact there is seldom anyone else there when we go!!
however I now realise that my kids are a pain in the proverbial a*se no matter where we live and will still whine all day about this, that and the other! joking aside, its given me insight into my short comings as a parent ie I was lazy in england - it wasnt anything to do with the weather or the system or the blah blah blah - I just didnt bother my backside but blamed those things.
being here and knowing very few people has made us get up and do more as a family so its been good in that respect - but its not to do with australia itself as the things we do tend to be things that could easily be done in england eg cinema, bowling, swimming pool (indoors) as my kids dont really like the sea, I actually find the flies and over hot days and the wind often make it difficult to get out of doors here too.
sorry - going off tangent a little. can i add another cringe?? its when people say "live the dream" - it makes me want to heave. i NEVER EVER referred to coming here as a dream - even when i was most up for it. i cringe when people who havent come here say things like "cant wait to live the dream" and give themelves avatars like "wannabeinoz" or "getmetooz" etc sorry if that offends but it does make me cringe!!
however I now realise that my kids are a pain in the proverbial a*se no matter where we live and will still whine all day about this, that and the other! joking aside, its given me insight into my short comings as a parent ie I was lazy in england - it wasnt anything to do with the weather or the system or the blah blah blah - I just didnt bother my backside but blamed those things.
being here and knowing very few people has made us get up and do more as a family so its been good in that respect - but its not to do with australia itself as the things we do tend to be things that could easily be done in england eg cinema, bowling, swimming pool (indoors) as my kids dont really like the sea, I actually find the flies and over hot days and the wind often make it difficult to get out of doors here too.
sorry - going off tangent a little. can i add another cringe?? its when people say "live the dream" - it makes me want to heave. i NEVER EVER referred to coming here as a dream - even when i was most up for it. i cringe when people who havent come here say things like "cant wait to live the dream" and give themelves avatars like "wannabeinoz" or "getmetooz" etc sorry if that offends but it does make me cringe!!
Aug 31st 2009 | 4:41 pm
#68
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 94,305
From: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Re: Aussie Cringe
Originally Posted by williamos
I think this is a British flaw rather than an Australian one. Lots of Brits have a ''grass is greener'' philosophy whereby they blame Britain as a country for their own personal shortcomings and those of their partner/spouse and/or children. They convince themselves that life in Spain, Australia or New Zealand will fix all their problems. It's very convenient. A handy get-out clause in their minds. One size fits all. Move to Australia and it's all sorted. Very silly. People need to start realising that there are plenty of positives to the UK and plenty of negatives to Australia. No one seems to ever keep this in mind. Why? What's wrong with people? Pure habit of thought. Very hard to change.
In Britain i can recall countless positive stories in the media with regards to Australia,which done no harm at all in promoting Down Under to perhaps a certain type of person.
Although it is fair to say a number of people i knew also expressed a degree of disdain to Australia and had no interest in visiting let alone living.
With Australia rapidly becoming one of the most unequal nations in terms of wealth distribution,one assumes it only a matter of time before already considerable social problems escalate further and along with the over inflated housing costs,that people may just begin to question Australia's suitability as a destination perhaps a little more.
Although it is fair to say a number of people i knew also expressed a degree of disdain to Australia and had no interest in visiting let alone living.
With Australia rapidly becoming one of the most unequal nations in terms of wealth distribution,one assumes it only a matter of time before already considerable social problems escalate further and along with the over inflated housing costs,that people may just begin to question Australia's suitability as a destination perhaps a little more.
I think its just part of human nature, not necessarily British, Australian or anything, its just that the grass is always greener, and the majority of us believe that simply changing our surroundings will solve deeper issues inside our own psyche.
Aug 31st 2009 | 4:50 pm
#69
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,390
From: Canberra
Re: Aussie Cringe
I have to say that since I've lived in Aus though I have experienced the other side of that - a lot of people, including my own partner - have said to me that they think life in the UK must be better than here. He told me several times he thought we should move there - rose tinted specs about getting a job easily with no UK experience, about living in beautiful countryside in a big house, where the reality would've been a one-bed flat in Brighton town centre.
I think its just part of human nature, not necessarily British, Australian or anything, its just that the grass is always greener, and the majority of us believe that simply changing our surroundings will solve deeper issues inside our own psyche.
I think its just part of human nature, not necessarily British, Australian or anything, its just that the grass is always greener, and the majority of us believe that simply changing our surroundings will solve deeper issues inside our own psyche.
Sep 1st 2009 | 2:32 pm
#70
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 94,305
From: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Re: Aussie Cringe
He would've struggled to get work too - no qualifications, no UK work history.
Tempting though the idea has been whenever he mentioned it, its just not practical
Sep 7th 2009 | 10:20 am
#71
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 82
Re: Aussie Cringe
I have to say that since I've lived in Aus though I have experienced the other side of that - a lot of people, including my own partner - have said to me that they think life in the UK must be better than here. He told me several times he thought we should move there - rose tinted specs about getting a job easily with no UK experience, about living in beautiful countryside in a big house, where the reality would've been a one-bed flat in Brighton town centre.
I think its just part of human nature, not necessarily British, Australian or anything, its just that the grass is always greener, and the majority of us believe that simply changing our surroundings will solve deeper issues inside our own psyche.
I think its just part of human nature, not necessarily British, Australian or anything, its just that the grass is always greener, and the majority of us believe that simply changing our surroundings will solve deeper issues inside our own psyche.
