Been here a while.

[Saurer Pfirsich]

28 minutes ago, Bulya said:

Bolleaux!  You have to earn respect.

I think if you behave respectfully towards others then it's not unreasonable to expect it in return. 

[Lavers]

3 hours ago, Bulya said:

Ever asked yourself why poms are so disliked all over the world?  If you haven’t, it’s about time you did 

Could it be envy

[Gbye grey sky]

1 hour ago, Saurer Pfirsich said:

Possibly I am a little over-sensitive. I've been exposed to a fair amount of 'Pommy-bashing' over the years from my wife's family and friends and my work-colleagues. As a result, I've learned to keep my head down and to avoid unpleasantness. I'm a natural introvert anyway, but when I'm in a social situation and people start with this stuff I just go quiet, or if I can, leave!

I would describe myself as an introvert too....but a lifetime playing cricket as a team sport opening the batting has helped me to deal with sledging and dressing room banter.

I actually enjoyed hearing the sledging and batted better when there was a bit of needle.  I am playing as a veteran here and it is almost too friendly for my liking.

I can imagine that if you take it personally it might be upsetting.  Try not to, if you can.

[Drumbeat]

4 hours ago, Bulya said:

Ever asked yourself why poms are so disliked all over the world?  If you haven’t, it’s about time you did 

You do talk a load of crap 

1 hour ago, Toots said:

Eh?  I've lived in France, Belgium, Switzerland and the USA.  Nowhere did I get the impression the Poms are disliked.  I'm Scottish and even I don't dislike the English. 

I'm with you Toots, I travel a lot and I've never been treated badly because I'm English. 

[starlight7]

I haven’t found that people dislike British people but I have come across tons of people who can’t stand Americans. Must be the people I mix with I guess. 

[Bulya]

2 hours ago, Lavers said:

Could it be envy

Funny

[Canada2Australia]

13 hours ago, starlight7 said:

I haven’t found that people dislike British people but I have come across tons of people who can’t stand Americans. Must be the people I mix with I guess.

Yes. Was just about to post a similar response. 

Edited July 28, 2019 by Canada2Australia

[Canada2Australia]

Thought I would post a previous comment her as well since the subject matter is fairly similar:

I can relate to the feelings being shared in this thread.

I've been in Australia for 3.5 years now,  living in Darwin. I too enjoy the lifestyle but have struggled to make any long-lasting deep connections. I have one or two good Aussie friends,  but that's it. Now I also think the big part of the problem is Darwin itself. It's a very different world up here compared to anywhere else. It's very transient,  exclusive and disingenuous in nature. It's a place where people escape to when they want to escape from their problems. "Locals" are hesitant to commit to making long-lasting friendships with outsiders because chances are they will depart in a short period of time, so why bother making the effort.

I have just come out of a two-year clinical depression, mostly because of my isolation in Darwin and the horrible dealings I've had with people here. The good news is that I just received my PR so that has perked me up a little. So I've had discussions with my company and there is potential for a relocation to QLD,  where I've spent much time working and made some connections already. I'm going to give that a shot and see if things change. If not,  when I get my citizenship, I will re-evaluate my situation. I'm hesitant to write off my experience in Australia because of Darwin (a place that most people would never want to live in anyways), which I don't believe is an accurate representation of the Aussie population, but rather a bizarre and unappealing cohort. 

Australia and Canada (my two favourite countries ) have a lot in common. We are both young, multicultural, large, sparsely populated, natural resource-based countries that have similar mindsets due to being commonwealth countries. They are also two of the most popular destination countries that immigrants would do anything to call their new home. I feel more at home here than I ever could just over an hour away across the border from where I grew up (The US, they really are a different breed down there).  

I'm excited for a change and I love QLD. So I will give that a try and see how it goes. I will always be a passionate Canadian and would definitely go back if it were the right move for me. So all in all, I don't feel like I would lose out either way if I stay or go back home. I'm extremely lucky to call these two top tier countries my home. It's a win-win situation 

Edited July 28, 2019 by Canada2Australia

[Lavers]

I see a fair few people mentioning connections with people and making friends but is this just not down to people not having time to do so when you get older?

I think most people make there best friends when they are younger as you have all the time in the world with no responsibilities and things you are experiencing are all new. Fast forward to being an adult and especially having kids and you dont have the same time as you did when you were younger to spend with friends.

I know I dont get to see my friends much as my free time is spent with the my kids.

[Toots]

34 minutes ago, Lavers said:

I see a fair few people mentioning connections with people and making friends but is this just not down to people not having time to do so when you get older?

I think most people make there best friends when they are younger as you have all the time in the world with no responsibilities and things you are experiencing are all new. Fast forward to being an adult and especially having kids and you dont have the same time as you did when you were younger to spend with friends.

I know I dont get to see my friends much as my free time is spent with the my kids.

Here in Australia I met my best friends through work.  As we got older and retired we all seemed to move all over the place but still keep in touch.  I made friends easily here in Tassie through voluntary work.  I'm not really one of those people who really needs loads of friends.  Bit of an introvert and I'm happy in my own company but I know I am probably in the minority.

[starlight7]

When you retire a lot of people are looking to socialise andmake friends. So many groups to join. One of the good ones I find is Probus which is an arm of Rotary. We have had so much fun with our Probus group, going on holidays, day trips, walking, dining out, theatres etc etc. Another one is U3A and then there is Red Hats for ladies, VIEW clubs. The local councils keep lists and most groups are pretty welcoming to new members. 

[Toots]

38 minutes ago, starlight7 said:

When you retire a lot of people are looking to socialise andmake friends. So many groups to join. One of the good ones I find is Probus which is an arm of Rotary. We have had so much fun with our Probus group, going on holidays, day trips, walking, dining out, theatres etc etc. Another one is U3A and then there is Red Hats for ladies, VIEW clubs. The local councils keep lists and most groups are pretty welcoming to new members. 

I don't belong to Probus but I know a couple of women who do and they are always off to one social event or another.  They often ask me along to their 'ladies of the night' thing where a group of us (ladies) go out to different restaurants in the area for dinner.  That's always enjoyable as they are a very nice group of people.  Yes U3A is something I am into.

[MARYROSE02]

On 27/07/2019 at 17:31, Saurer Pfirsich said:

I’m surprised that Australian cricketers think that the English media have it in for them. I’ve always thought that the tone that the red tops back home took was pretty respectful when it came to the Australians. There’s rivalry for sure, but also recognition of the many great teams and outstanding players that they’ve produced in recent decades. Maybe I’ve got that wrong? 

I gave up on following the Australian media years ago due to what I consider to be inherent anti-British sentiment. I don’t know if that’s representative generally of how Australians see us, but after a while I found the snidey digs and put downs a bit depressing. After the World Cup win a couple of my work colleagues were desperate to show me the front cover of The Age newspaper which went on at length about England’s luck / undeserved winners/ poor New Zealand etc. and had a very unpleasant tone to it all.

I’m sure the Australian media will be gearing up to burn effigies of Stuart Broad in the coming weeks, so I’m glad I’ll be restricting myself to the BBC and The Guardian’s coverage! 

 

I think the offending article was from The Sun, something about "Aussies bawling?" I can remember something similar back in the 1980's when both Kim Hughes and Bob Hawke wept and tI saw a spoof advert - "Kleenex - for Australian men?"

Rupert Murdoch owns The Sun and most of the tabloids in Australia so they are probably running according to the same template?  And just as Stuart Broad is/was public enemy number one I'm sure Steve Smith and David Warner - the latter already a "villain" before the ball tampering, will both be getting a good serve.

It's all just banter to me.  If England are doing badly I usually laugh and tell "them" ie Aussies, "I've got an Aussie passport too so I only lose if it's a draw."

 

[Dusty Plains]

14 hours ago, MARYROSE02 said:

I think the offending article was from The Sun, something about "Aussies bawling?" I can remember something similar back in the 1980's when both Kim Hughes and Bob Hawke wept and tI saw a spoof advert - "Kleenex - for Australian men?"

Rupert Murdoch owns The Sun and most of the tabloids in Australia so they are probably running according to the same template?  And just as Stuart Broad is/was public enemy number one I'm sure Steve Smith and David Warner - the latter already a "villain" before the ball tampering, will both be getting a good serve.

It's all just banter to me.  If England are doing badly I usually laugh and tell "them" ie Aussies, "I've got an Aussie passport too so I only lose if it's a draw."

 

As one of "them" as you put it, I would be interested in which particular team you will be cheering for, win lose or draw. 

[Dusty Plains]

20 hours ago, Canada2Australia said:

Thought I would post a previous comment her as well since the subject matter is fairly similar:

I can relate to the feelings being shared in this thread.

I've been in Australia for 3.5 years now,  living in Darwin. I too enjoy the lifestyle but have struggled to make any long-lasting deep connections. I have one or two good Aussie friends,  but that's it. Now I also think the big part of the problem is Darwin itself. It's a very different world up here compared to anywhere else. It's very transient,  exclusive and disingenuous in nature. It's a place where people escape to when they want to escape from their problems. "Locals" are hesitant to commit to making long-lasting friendships with outsiders because chances are they will depart in a short period of time, so why bother making the effort.

I have just come out of a two-year clinical depression, mostly because of my isolation in Darwin and the horrible dealings I've had with people here. The good news is that I just received my PR so that has perked me up a little. So I've had discussions with my company and there is potential for a relocation to QLD,  where I've spent much time working and made some connections already. I'm going to give that a shot and see if things change. If not,  when I get my citizenship, I will re-evaluate my situation. I'm hesitant to write off my experience in Australia because of Darwin (a place that most people would never want to live in anyways), which I don't believe is an accurate representation of the Aussie population, but rather a bizarre and unappealing cohort. 

Australia and Canada (my two favourite countries ) have a lot in common. We are both young, multicultural, large, sparsely populated, natural resource-based countries that have similar mindsets due to being commonwealth countries. They are also two of the most popular destination countries that immigrants would do anything to call their new home. I feel more at home here than I ever could just over an hour away across the border from where I grew up (The US, they really are a different breed down there).  

I'm excited for a change and I love QLD. So I will give that a try and see how it goes. I will always be a passionate Canadian and would definitely go back if it were the right move for me. So all in all, I don't feel like I would lose out either way if I stay or go back home. I'm extremely lucky to call these two top tier countries my home. It's a win-win situation 

Darwin can be a tough place to live, even though it suits many people, I found that it was not for me.  The main issue I encountered was the oppressive tropical climate.  I spent a short time there in 1999 when the UN moved in to town, during the strife in East Timor. You are right, Darwin has a society that is markedly transient and has largely become a military town.  Darwin is a "Fort Apache" outpost, just as Canada has outposts with all the same issues, 

I could live in Darwin if the climate was more ameanable, I think you will be happier in QLD

 

[Canada2Australia]

22 minutes ago, Dusty Plains said:

Darwin can be a tough place to live, even though it suits many people, I found that it was not for me.  The main issue I encountered was the oppressive tropical climate.  I spent a short time there in 1999 when the UN moved in to town, during the strife in East Timor. You are right, Darwin has a society that is markedly transient and has largely become a military town.  Darwin is a "Fort Apache" outpost, just as Canada has outposts with all the same issues, 

I could live in Darwin if the climate was more ameanable, I think you will be happier in QLD

 

Darwin is essentially the Fort McMurray of Australia in terms of a boom bust, natural resource based economy, overwhelmingly transient population, remoteness, high men to women ratio because of its natural resource based economy, and exclusive mentality. It's a very undesirable place for many upon many reasons. The only thing I like and will miss regarding the NT is the outback. It's filled with beautiful landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities, which is my bread and butter. However,  it's not enough to keep me there any longer. 

It's not the climate that bothers me the most; it's the people there I want to get away from. 

Edited July 29, 2019 by Canada2Australia

[Dusty Plains]

4 minutes ago, Canada2Australia said:

Darwin is essentially the Fort McMurray of Australia in terms of a boom bust, natural resource based economy, overwhelmingly transient population, remoteness, high men to women ratio because of its natural resource based economy, and exclusive mentality. It's a very undesirable place for many upon many reasons. The only thing I like and will miss regarding the NT is the outback. It's filled with beautiful landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities, which is my bread and butter. However,  it's not enough to keep me there any longer. 

It's not the climate that bothers me the most; it's the people there I want to get away from. 

I understand. As you are probably aware the "outback" extends well into Qld and there are some stunning landscapes and quirky little towns throughout outback QLD. Its a different vibe there, and less parochial than Darwin. 

Good Luck.

[MARYROSE02]

5 hours ago, Dusty Plains said:

As one of "them" as you put it, I would be interested in which particular team you will be cheering for, win lose or draw. 

There was a time - 1989 to 2003 - when I no longer wanted England to win; I wanted Australia to lose. I was sick not just of losing every Ashes series, but having to put up with the sniggers on 9 News between newscaster  - Hendo perhaps, and sports reporter. (Ken Sutcliffe?) "Well, we've thrashed those Pommies again" or words to that effect. Add in the "jokes" - "Let's reduce the Ashes to a three test series." "Let's play our Sheilas against the Poms instead." "Not a single Pommie player would get into our team." And then 2005 came along and changed everything and now I just want England to win.

Here's a counter-question for you, although it's probably only relevant if you are from NSW or Queensland. "Which is more important? Winning Origin or winning The Ashes?"

[starlight7]

Ah well St Kilda won this week for once so I’m happy 

[Bulya]

8 hours ago, Canada2Australia said:

Darwin is essentially the Fort McMurray of Australia in terms of a boom bust, natural resource based economy, overwhelmingly transient population, remoteness, high men to women ratio because of its natural resource based economy, and exclusive mentality. It's a very undesirable place for many upon many reasons. The only thing I like and will miss regarding the NT is the outback. It's filled with beautiful landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities, which is my bread and butter. However,  it's not enough to keep me there any longer. 

It's not the climate that bothers me the most; it's the people there I want to get away from. 

My brother lives in Darwin.  I’ve been twice, and I certainly won’t be going back.  Awful bloody place imho.

[starlight7]

The people who live in Darwin are really friendly though ( at least that's what we found). Problem is the Summer heat but you do get used to it after a while. Personally I prefer it to Perth, at least it has a bit of life!

[Bulya]

18 hours ago, MARYROSE02 said:

There was a time - 1989 to 2003 - when I no longer wanted England to win; I wanted Australia to lose. I was sick not just of losing every Ashes series, but having to put up with the sniggers on 9 News between newscaster  - Hendo perhaps, and sports reporter. (Ken Sutcliffe?) "Well, we've thrashed those Pommies again" or words to that effect. Add in the "jokes" - "Let's reduce the Ashes to a three test series." "Let's play our Sheilas against the Poms instead." "Not a single Pommie player would get into our team." And then 2005 came along and changed everything and now I just want England to win.

Here's a counter-question for you, although it's probably only relevant if you are from NSW or Queensland. "Which is more important? Winning Origin or winning The Ashes?"

Not aimed at me obviously, but Origin is far more important.  Everybody knows that...

[unzippy]

On 27/07/2019 at 17:31, Saurer Pfirsich said:

I’m sure the Australian media will be gearing up to burn effigies of Stuart Broad in the coming weeks, so I’m glad I’ll be restricting myself to the BBC and The Guardian’s coverage! 

 

It's started already - Channel 9 have adverts on along the lines of "watch the Poms get smashed by Aus".

Keeping it classy and respectful

[Toots]

12 minutes ago, unzippy said:

It's started already - Channel 9 have adverts on along the lines of "watch the Poms get smashed by Aus".

Keeping it classy and respectful

As I have said all along, the Australian media (especially those rubbish commercial TV channels) is simply the pits.  Always has been and probably always will be. 

[Canada2Australia]

11 minutes ago, Toots said:

As I have said all along, the Australian media (especially those rubbish commercial TV channels) is simply the pits.  Always has been and probably always will be. 

Compared to the garbage that the US spews globally (and is forceably shoved down our throats en masse back home thanks to our pro-American CRTC),  I would say Aussie and Canadian media are a realistic dream, regardless if people clamour about it being "not as good as 'Murca!"

I am thankful for that. 

Edited July 30, 2019 by Canada2Australia