Disappointments?

[maxxangel]

Having just read a comment in another post, it occurs to me that some people may have found disappointments when the arrived in Oz. So I'm curious to hear whether anyone has experienced this, why and how soon after arriving was it?

I haven't been able to visit yet and I just want to make sure I keep my feet on the ground and don't get unrealistic expectations.

Cara

[jimmyybob]

Well I'm no expert but from what i have seen on here it seems that some people who hate it go with the expectation that the ozzys are going to fall at there feet, thank them for coming and have a BBQ every night in perfect sunshine without the need to make the effort.

[maxxangel]

Originally Posted by jimmyybob

Well I'm no expert but from what i have seen on here it seems that some people who hate it go with the expectation that the ozzys are going to fall at there feet, thank them for coming and have a BBQ every night in perfect sunshine without the need to make the effort.

What! You mean they're not!!

[jimmyybob]

Originally Posted by maxxangel

What! You mean they're not!!

Im not sure how to take that..

[fatpom]

Originally Posted by maxxangel

Having just read a comment in another post, it occurs to me that some people may have found disappointments when the arrived in Oz. So I'm curious to hear whether anyone has experienced this, why and how soon after arriving was it?
I haven't been able to visit yet and I just want to make sure I keep my feet on the ground and don't get unrealistic expectations.

Cara

You're likely to find it confusing & perhaps overwhelming to start with. As a foreigner arriving & living in a new culture you'll experience some culture shock... nowhere near as intense as if you had just moved to somewhere like (say?) India but you'll still experience it at some point. You might find it manifests itself in silly ways such as intolerance or impatience about silly little differences between the two countries. It usually kicks in after the honeymoon period & that can happen at anytime after arriving, for example it was almost 12 months before it occurred for me but for some it can be much later?

Its important to realise that living & working in a country is by far more challenging (in terms of culture shock) than visiting as a tourist. Seems an obvious statement but???

Some suffer terrible homesickness at some point but it passes for most. Everyone will experience some homesickness at some point I believe, but I do know people who claim they never have?

One interesting phenomena is that you'll come across people who seem to be having and declare to be having a great time then next thing you know they're gone.

I think the important thing to do is keep it very rational... that is to say despite the downsides are the upsides better & more in number. In other words don't dwell on the downsides if you know them to be trivial.

[ali]

Agree with fat pom and Jo - I think the mistake some have is that they think it's England with Sunshine, as Jo says it is so unlike England in many ways. The Aussies I've met are great and friendly but you have to make a bit of an effort back, I know my friend at work hates people who say "in England we did it this way" or "are you still doing that".

I tend to think of homesickness as an overwhelming sensation so would probably say I haven't yet been home sick, but what I do miss is just being able to just pick the phone and speak to my friends instead I have to work out what time it will be in the UK.

Living is so much different than being on holdiay and for us personally what helped a great deal is that we both started work very early and got into the 'normal life routine' rather than holiday mode.

Remember, it's going to take ages to establish yourself and make the sorts of friendships you had in the uk because they were developed over time (lifetimes in some cases) and you aren't going to have that right away.

OH said last night that it feels like we have been here ages and the last 9 months have passed in a flash - but in the grand scheme of things we've not been here 2 mins.

Ali

[johatts]

For me there were no disapointments!
I had no expectations before coming here. My theory being that way nothing could disapoint me. I guess I am one of the lucky ones who settled really easily and quickly - actually i settled quicker and better than my OH!!

EVERYONE will get homesick, I dont believe those who say they dont!!!! I miss people but I do not miss the place. I found that Australia compared to UK......OZ has got it right, its the UK that is playing catch up!

I love it here!

[Aldo]

I've been disappointed with the aussie pubs. apart from the odd one here and there most are unfriendly, sterile places full of pokies and big screens showing horse racing and bingo. I miss the comfort of a soft barmaids bosom in which to take refuge from the days toil and a sympathetic ear to reassure you when you tell her that "the misses doesn't understand me". Instead as soon as your beer is poured she zips off to serve the weirdo with the mullet some keno numbers. And before anyone says "well if you don't like it you know what to do" I am not a defeatist and I will make it my mission to make QLD pubs more friendly and barmaids more accommodating. I don't know how yet but i'll have a few more stubbies and will let you know when inspiration strikes (don't wait up)

(tittie bars are an exception)

[maxxangel]

Originally Posted by Aldo

I've been disappointed with the aussie pubs. apart from the odd one here and there most are unfriendly, sterile places full of pokies and big screens showing horse racing and bingo. I miss the comfort of a soft barmaids bosom in which to take refuge from the days toil and a sympathetic ear to reassure you when you tell her that "the misses doesn't understand me". Instead as soon as your beer is poured she zips off to serve the weirdo with the mullet some keno numbers. And before anyone says "well if you don't like it you know what to do" I am not a defeatist and I will make it my mission to make QLD pubs more friendly and barmaids more accommodating. I don't know how yet but i'll have a few more stubbies and will let you know when inspiration strikes (don't wait up)

(tittie bars are an exception)

LOL! I never realised you men thought of barmaids that way. I'm afraid I don't have enough of a bosom to have been soft when I was doing that job!

So you miss the grotty carpets and worn (often vandalised) furniture of our traditional pubs do you?

It has just occurred to me, does anyone know if Australia has the smoking ban in public buildings that we have just started?

[yvonne-d]

My oh just informed me smoking ban started on july 1st
when he was out looking for work.
yvonne