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Aussies generally don't share their views and attitudes about "deeper" subjects or life stories with strangers or casual acquaintances. That's for friends and family. But if pop culture like tv shows is a guide, we're certainly no more "shallow" than other western counties.
What I mean when I wrote “shallow” is what I’ve perceived as a culture focused on large expensive houses, often large and/or expensive cars (seen more Porsches in Perth these last 3 months than I’ve seen in Sweden during my 20+ years combined), gossip, parties and drinking. Many people around here (Cottesloe/Mosman Park/Fremantle – area) also have boats, wind-surfing equipment, dogs (most per capita in the world apparently) and other expensive hobbies. That could just be this particular area. It could be a sign of prosperity. But it could likewise also be a sign of a very materialistic culture. I’m not judging, simply observing. I’m sure that this is pretty common things in Canada and the US too, but I can say from experience that it is not that common across Europe.
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Originally Posted by MarisaMay
I agree! In my circles it is regarded as pretty rude to just start sprouting your political views with acquaintances and even friends. And talking about religion is really a taboo compared to many other places. I often threaten my European background DH with all sorts of nasty things if he starts on politics when we are socialising. I have three German friends and their adult kids have long ago trained them the same way.
Why? I think we inherited the British dislike of conflict.
On another tangent, in NSW the attitude to drinking and driving is anything but relaxed. Perhaps it is different in WA but here, gosh , even if you park your car the wrong way round you get a fine of nearly $200. With all the random breath tests, only fools drink and drive in Sydney.
Have you thought of Wollongong? Quite temperate climate, nice small city where many commute by train to Sydney to work, especially to the Sutherland Shire, where the unemployment rate is pretty near the lowest in the country. Housing is slightly cheaper than parts of Sydney and it has lovely beaches. The area between there and southern Sydney includes some beautiful places such as Stanwell Park and Corrimal.
Did you really? I thought that Aussies thought of themselves as pretty straight forward bunch of people? What I’ve experienced here amongst people my age is a very much “I go to the bar, have 6-10 beers, come home at 2 AM and then DRIVE to work at 6 AM” – sort of behaviour. I have been asked 3-4 times during my two months working here to cover for a girl that works with me. She has been out drinking and then texted me around 1-2 AM to cover for her tomorrow morning. As I’ve not seen the messages in time, she’s been driving to work a few hours later anyway. I’ve had quite a few guys at work bragging about how they drank 20+ beers until they passed out. So, yes. That is what I call relaxed culture in regard to drinking and driving. Maybe is just here, maybe just my age group. I don’t know.
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Originally Posted by the troubadour
Well if even after the steady dismantling, of what you term socialism, and the steady growth of inequality , see's you still complaining of 'Swedish socialism' , the only place that may suit would be USA.
Of the three countries named, probably Australia, but be warned it looks like a left of centre government will be taking the reigns this year, so ideologically little to continue staying here for.
Why you put down state and social benefits then is rather confusing. Surely you prefer a domain, where it is stand or fall by ones owns efforts?
That would be regardless of government policy and business desire to lower working conditions across the board.
Education? Well look no further that deregulated Sweden to witness a fall in standards, since poorly regulated private schools funded by government money came into play.
A WHV, is just that. No reason, in the main why it should be easy to remain. Although I have met a few that have gone on to het PR. That was during the boom though. neither remain in Australia today.
Too much PC in Canada? Really the States sounds about the only feasible, possible country for you, but expect Sweden will win the day. Denmark not a bad option. People a little more outgoing. Slightly better climate.
The problem with the US is a) guns (and crime) b) basically no federal rights to anything (I mean no parental leave, no paid vacation days and so on) c) very difficult to get a green card. But Yes, I guess that there are places in the US that would be interesting definitely. I’m not saying that there is too much PC in Canada, I’m saying that I am worried that it might be.
Could we just leave whether or whether not Aussies are more shallow than other westerners and go back to comparing how Australia stand when compared to Canada and the UK in the categories I listed in the start please?
Generally I like Australia and Aussies, you should not take offense so easily
Yes I read it. Looked like an anecdote about a single girl. Not sure that describes the national culture with regard to drink driving.
My experience is that there are strict laws that are heavily enforced and the one is almost a social pariah if you drink and drive. Might just be my age group though.
Could we just leave whether or whether not Aussies are more shallow than other westerners and go back to comparing how Australia stand when compared to Canada and the UK in the categories I listed in the start please?
Generally I like Australia and Aussies, you should not take offense so easily
Australia and Canada offer one thing that the UK can never match: climate and geographic diversity, and the lifestyle options that flow from that.
Just out of curiosity, what would Europeans spend their money on that we do not?
I know that in Italy a lot more emphasis is on clothes and grooming. In Spain, on buying high quality food ingredients.
I am not sure who you mix with and I have to say that when my own kids were your age, they were living in Europe and deciding whether to try for permanent residency and an EU passport. What pulled them back here was the desire to raise their children with family around. To them that outweighed the pros and cons of Europe vs here. They found it very difficult to make friends with the locals in London despite trying hard. I think locals see you as transitory and that could be a factor with you.
You would not be in a position to know just how little drinking and driving there is now compared to forty years ago. There may be remnants of that culture but in NSW there is an amazing difference to years gone by. My nephew is your age and at his 21st, they did not get anywhere near the bar tab. So many of his friends are Asian and very light or non drinkers. Forty years ago we used to drink and drive, drink when pregnant, drink at sixteen as there was no check of IDs.
Australia and Canada offer one thing that the UK can never match: climate and geographic diversity, and the lifestyle options that flow from that.
That geographic proximity is one of the best things about living in the UK as it is a major hub for budget airlines. Plus with strict competition, airlines like BA and Norwegian offer cheap fares. And also rail services to the continent. You can have weekend trips with the lads to Amsterdam or a romantic weekend getaway to Paris, or a weeklong trip to Morocco or Turkey without feeling jet-lagged. Because London is a major hub, there are direct flights to Tokyo, New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, Buenos Aires, Rio, Mexico City, Cape Town, Nairobi, etc.
That geographic proximity is one of the best things about living in the UK as it is a major hub for budget airlines. Plus with strict competition, airlines like BA and Norwegian offer cheap fares. And also rail services to the continent. You can have weekend trips with the lads to Amsterdam or a romantic weekend getaway to Paris, or a weeklong trip to Morocco or Turkey without feeling jet-lagged. Because London is a major hub, there are direct flights to Tokyo, New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, Buenos Aires, Rio, Mexico City, Cape Town, Nairobi, etc.
There are plenty of direct flights out of Sydney and Melbourne, and other Aus cities; the lists of destinations are just different. Instead of European cities its places like Hawaii, Fiji, Bali, Jakarta, NZ cities and Santiago.
Last edited by Bakery Hill; 01-15-2019 at 01:02 PM..
There are plenty of direct flights out of Sydney and Melbourne, and other Aus cities; the lists of destinations are just different. Instead of European cities its places like Hawaii, Fiji, Bali, Jakarta, NZ cities and Santiago.
Not to mention Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo
Though almost all those flights from Australia are quite a bit further than say, flying to western-central Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, etc. would be from the east coast of North America.
About the only truly short flights from Sydney are to New Zealand and New Caledonia.
Most anywhere else is like me flying to Moscow or something.
Vancouver and Victoria have a climate similar to the UK with sunnier summers. There would not be much climatic adjustment.
I would agree with this. There are so many outdoor activities to do in BC, Alberta and in neighboring USA, that you couldn’t begin to whittle down a list. The climate is benign, rainy winters, cooler summers, glorious fall and spring. Vancouver is on the concert circuit, has a dizzying array of ethnic restaurants, parks, etc. It is expensive, though. You may wan5 to explore this option. Victoria is a saf3 lovely city on Vancouver Island with ferry service to the US and the mainland. Good luck on your adventures. PS, if you like to mountain bike, thete ar3 world class trail systems within an hour or two drive. Besides, Canadians are nice.
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