Surf N Turf

You've come up with the goods! If I've read it right it's about a 30% greater chance to break up if you're not married. I'm happy to be bucking the trend. I wonder if this is really the purpose of the strategy. With marriage on such a decline, and costing so much in a time of people tightening their purses, this relatively paltry sum isn't likely to achieve much. Apart from ticking me off!

Thanks for clarifying that. It would have been pretty antiquated to have still been in effect.

I've never really been clued up on the differences in either country. I just caught a headline this morning that made me bristle a bit. I've never really understood marriage. I'm all for commitment and a stable home for children, I just don't equate that with marriage, particularly in light of divorce statistics. It seems a bit intrusive for the government to start trying to dictate the form that adult relationships take. I'd feel that way about either country.

That's interesting. My daughter was born in the UK and it never occured to me that my partner wouldn't have a say in medical stuff. If his name is on the birth certificate you'd imagine that he's have equal rights. Very odd.

What's the divorce rate again? 1 in 3? Very helpful for the little 'uns.

I could really learn a thing or two about hypersensitivity from you. I'd kind of hoped for a light-hearted discussion about this. Silly me.

We don't have any in Australia. Flatfoot just can't keep australia out of any discussion. (that was in response to freckles. forgot to quote you).

I'm a committed co-habitor with 10 years service in. And I'm not sure why failing to put on a pouffy dress and shake down family and friends for insanely expensive and unnecessary gifts makes me less worthy than married people. It seems that the Conservative government thinks I am. Anyone else agree with them? What evil am I doing to society that I must be punished in this way? Happily the fine prints reveals that if I was in the UK I'd only be about 150 quid worse off each year. But why should I be? What's so great about married people?

So John, in summary of the last 15 pages, it's a big welcome home from the PIO crew and we hope you'll continue to be very happy :biggrin:

UQ is a great university but I've also had very good experiences with QUT and Griffith. Just to say, if you don't get your first preference and end up elsewhere, Brisbane could still be as sweet. I really hope you enjoy your new life.

Do you really think we're as obsessed? When it gets to extremes, as it did heat wise in many places yesterday, then yes it's a topic of conversation. Floods, fires and all the rest are newsworthy. But in day to day interactions? It felt like an extension to saying hello in the UK. A greeting would seem to be naturally followed by a comment on the weather. I don't find that so much here. Having said that, this thread was a joke more than a criticism

I'm with Kate. I know too many woman who have tried to 'do the right thing' and not left with any assets only to bitterly regret this decision when their ex refuses to contribute sufficiently and they and their children suffer. Just because the money came in the form of his pay does not make it exclusively his. As you say, you enabled him to be out there earning. What proportion you take is up to you but I don't think it's wise to consider it his. You definately have the right to some sort of living allowance. It's not right to treat you like a child who needs to ask and justify every purchase. Even if you feel strong right now, given that you are a long way from home, I'd recommend setting up some counselling to support you in making the transition. You may well qualify for a mental health care plan through your GP and they will be able to recommend someone. It doesn't make you mentally ill, it'll just provide a good sounding board for you as you move forward. All the very best Sioban.

People have stood for parliament to fight less serious issues. Go for it Stacey! Make Britain better in 2013 :smile:

Yeah. Because you're all Brits doing the talking. It's a little known fact that some other nationalities (probably obscure amazonian tribal peeps) sometimes have gatherings in which the weather IS NEVER MENTIONED!!!!!! It beggars belief. Although once I think I went to a BBQ with my fellow countryfolk in which it only got a casual mention. Extraordinary.

Cos we all know that weather will be the main topic of conversation in a forum for Brits about the UK :wink:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/janell-burley-hofmann/iphone-contract-from-your-mom_b_2372493.html This link takes you to a contract/agreement a mother drew up when they gave their child an iphone. It makes some interesting points about the internet and would form the basis of a pretty thorough conversation with your child about it. Mine is only 6 so these challenges are still ahead of me

Thanks

All the best. I hope you enjoy the job.

On a bit of a tangent...is there anyway that you can not be subcribed to threads Kate? If I forget to unsubscribe after posting I end up spending ages deleting emails.

I've been told it's nearly three hours long. That's what's putting me off. Did it seem too long?

Happy New Year! Just saw the Melbourne fireworks from the top of our building. Lovely. Now I can just pour another glass without struggling home through the crowds! Hope 2013 brings lots of happiness and good times. Erm... just read post above. Now feel guilty and shallow. But it really was very pretty.

Roger that. It's certainly the case in Australia. Particularly in the regions. You know, the bits beyond the burbs. You can get away with murder out there.

Happy huh? You're a couple of emoticons short of being convincing.

That you would be right to move back to the UK? I'd say so. My OH is the only POM we are currently holding hostage as far as I know.

Yeah but the way I hear it no-one can afford to drive their cars or buy anything. Terribly sad state of affairs.