Miserable and bored

[MARYROSE02]

No wonder we get called whinging Poms.

[Guest Guest31881]

I would like to remind members that this forum is called "Moving back to the UK" It is for members moving to the Uk and it is not for others to start arguments because they do not agree with members reasons for moving.

 

I suggest you all read the message from admin that I have reproduced below,

 

I would like all members to note the title of this part of the forum - Moving Back to the UK.

Now recently I have had quite a lot of emails and pm's from new members who are wanting to return home but feel concerned about putting their thoughts in this area for fear of being jumped on.

It has resulted in some new members choosing not to participate any further. Now I am sorry but this is the last thing we want, people who are returning need our support more than anyone on this forum, they have uprooted their family for the initial move and are now very unhappy.

We find that people moving back will have opinions of Australia that you may not agree with, but please remember this is THEIR feelings.

If you are not happy with that then please use one of the other forums there are plenty to choose from.

If we see people using this forum just for arguments then we may look at restricting access.

[Conniebygaslight]

I will be interested to find how my son will fair in OZ when he moves as you have described him to a tee, loves talking about himself and his woes, bragging what he can do, never hardly listens to what you have to say and talks over when he wants to wipe your convo out, very racist, pig headed and stubborn and opinionated the list goes on, OZ will find him a challenge I'm sure, but will they let him get away with this type of OZZy behaviour if they like talking about themselves so much we his family know him and make allowances but others might not be as 'understanding', wish I could be a fly on the wall lol, would appreciate some feedback as a Mum I do worry they might think him 'different', one thing they might appreciate is how much he hates the UK and constantly slags it off and is not proud to be british, I personally think he will miss a little when he finally moves in October!

 

 

Aww....nothing like a mothers love.....:wink:

[Guest]

Ha! I have a sister who would get along just fine with your son! If she can't find a natural gap in the conversation she just talks LOUDER over everyone!

 

I'll admit that I did sometimes struggle with my aussie friends, who I loved dearly, but having a southern English accent, and a quieter voice I struggled to get a word in edgeways and often they would talk over me. Worse if we were in a group, but easier one-to-one. I don't think they mean it in a nasty way, as they demonstrated their love in so many other ways. I often felt you had 2 types of aussie- those who are a little shallow and false, and those who are genuine and (sometimes brutally) honest. For me, the latter were more common I'm pleased to say.

 

Are you meaning to say that only Aussies can be shallow and false with the main being nice? surely you could attribute that remark to any nation... Including the UK!

 

As for winging poms....The term actually comes from the £10 pom. when they were giving passage for £10 but if they didn't like it, and often didn't and being the £10 was one-way. They had to pay their own fare back to the UK and ....moaned!

[Guest A Covington]

I love being a whinging pom. It makes me feel better for having the Aussie thing rammed down your neck on every sign post and in every tv advert. Its one thing being patriotic but I just think that they have an inferiority complex from having to shake the convict label. Who are these people, they cant even speak english properly! Just ask them to pronounce: Data, maroon or debut - its hillarious! Australia is very beautiful but very dull. I know, lets all kick our heel up and go to a RSA club!

[Paul1Perth]

I love being a whinging pom. It makes me feel better for having the Aussie thing rammed down your neck on every sign post and in every tv advert. Its one thing being patriotic but I just think that they have an inferiority complex from having to shake the convict label. Who are these people, they cant even speak english properly! Just ask them to pronounce: Data, maroon or debut - its hillarious! Australia is very beautiful but very dull. I know, lets all kick our heel up and go to a RSA club!

 

 

Well, you certainly didn't let us down.:biggrin:

[albelite]

Hi, love this quote, my son is emigrating in October and is very opinionated and slagging uk off badly and he will Never come back and OZ cant do anything wrong, he don't see the good and bad in anything its either black or white, well I hope the aussies are ready for him cos I can see him not winging or he will have to wear a permanent mask which I hope slips, I will miss him but will look on with interest.....the main thing is he brags he will be a millionaire over there he will work so hard, surely OZ has troubles too and people have hard times wherever you go in the world, regards Sue

[Paul1Perth]

Hi, love this quote, my son is emigrating in October and is very opinionated and slagging uk off badly and he will Never come back and OZ cant do anything wrong, he don't see the good and bad in anything its either black or white, well I hope the aussies are ready for him cos I can see him not winging or he will have to wear a permanent mask which I hope slips, I will miss him but will look on with interest.....the main thing is he brags he will be a millionaire over there he will work so hard, surely OZ has troubles too and people have hard times wherever you go in the world, regards Sue

 

To be fair, if he does what he says and works hard, especially if he can get into some sort of mining work in WA, he might surprise you and get rich.

 

The aussies don't like people who brag though and he will soon be put in his place if he carries on. Surprisingly they don't seem to go much on people slagging off the UK either. A lot are not too far removed. He'll learn the ropes fast enough.:cool:

[albelite]

To be fair, if he does what he says and works hard, especially if he can get into some sort of mining work in WA, he might surprise you and get rich.

 

The aussies don't like people who brag though and he will soon be put in his place if he carries on. Surprisingly they don't seem to go much on people slagging off the UK either. A lot are not too far removed. He'll learn the ropes fast enough.:cool:

 

Funny thing is that he hates the UK but forgets what good its done to get what he has now, and hypocritically wont sell his two large homes here and change them for Aussie dollars and also that any cash in mining fifo that he makes he is sending over here to make more money, my mind is a boggle, I do as a mum hope he does well but like in OZ I am very patriotic to my own country and have a good family happy to stay here, but you do have a beautiful country in all its entirety but so do we, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and will visit OZ in time to come to a 'rich' son, regards Sue

[Skani]

. I know, lets all kick our heel up and go to a RSA club!

 

Republic of South Africa club???

[Guest guest57588]

To be fair, if he does what he says and works hard, especially if he can get into some sort of mining work in WA, he might surprise you and get rich.

 

The aussies don't like people who brag though and he will soon be put in his place if he carries on. Surprisingly they don't seem to go much on people slagging off the UK either. A lot are not too far removed. He'll learn the ropes fast enough.:cool:

 

Fantastic!. Paul, you missed your vocation in life mate. It's always a treat reading your posts!

[MARYROSE02]

Republic of South Africa club???

 

I did wonder if they meant RSL but, to be fair, I think there MAY be some called Returned Servicemens' Association.

 

For all that, there's nothing wrong with RSL clubs. I spent a pleasant couple of hours tonight at Rose Bay RSL after my swim. Had a coffee, watched TV, wrote my diary, read the paper, even found a decent book in their little library 'Christine' Stephen King.

 

Last night I was at North Bondi RSL, fantastic location above the beach, good food. Loads of young people in there so I'm surprised all the backpackers aren't in there instead of the pubs - cheaper beer for one thing.

 

Clubs are SO relaxed now - you can go straight off the beach, shorts, thongs, etc, and kids are usually welcome too.

 

In fact, you have got to be plain dumb not to use the clubs if you are coming to OZ. Some of the bigger ones have gyms, shops, hotel, etc. Check out Revesby Workers for instance allthough I prefer the smaller ones.

[Guest SupportPants]

Have to say I agree with the original poster and it's probably my biggest gripe with living in Australia. My partner and I seek out every other nationality and have a range of friends from India, the US, Finland and Malaysia - much wider outlook and knowledge than a lot of the locals we have talked to - sometimes the conversation can be very stilted indeed. It's difficult to really pinpoint why the cultural mainstream can feel so insular, disinterested and a bit culture-less - isolated, new country, no real television to speak of? We can survive it but it's the biggest challenge to being here in my opinion.

[MARYROSE02]

Have to say I agree with the original poster and it's probably my biggest gripe with living in Australia. My partner and I seek out every other nationality and have a range of friends from India, the US, Finland and Malaysia - much wider outlook and knowledge than a lot of the locals we have talked to - sometimes the conversation can be very stilted indeed. It's difficult to really pinpoint why the cultural mainstream can feel so insular, disinterested and a bit culture-less - isolated, new country, no real television to speak of? We can survive it but it's the biggest challenge to being here in my opinion.

 

Perhaps they feel they are being patronised?

[Paul1Perth]

Fantastic!. Paul, you missed your vocation in life mate. It's always a treat reading your posts!

 

 

If you have a clue what my vocation should be can you let me know mate? I am still thinking about what to do and I'm getting closer to retirement than a new career.

 

A win on lotto would sort me out!!!!:cool:

[stevenpasha]

I realise that you have said that you do not mean to be disrespectful, however the comments that you made I personally found very insulting. I am Australian and proud to be one, but it does sound like that means that I might be friendly but only capable of holding stupid and meaningless conversations. I am sure glad someone told me that before I embarrased myself when I go with my partner to various academic conferences around the world.

 

I am sorry that you haven't managed to connect with people over in Australia, personally I find it quite surprising when people talk about the lack of buzz or intelligence or whatever they feel they is missing. We have great conversations with people about politics and worldwide issues and though I watch sport don't ask me to spend more than 5 minutes talking about it as I couldn't. That is not to say that there not people who will talk for hours about NRL, AFL or the cricket, but tell me honestly how is that different from sections of the population in many countries across the world. The Americans love to talk about their football, basketball, and baseball, the Canadians can talk forever about ice hockey and the Brits love talking about their football and rugby. So please don't tar all Australians with the same brush, this is a large country with people from many different walks of life who enjoy different things, and who have conversations about many different things. Maybe you need to spread your wings a little bit and expand your social/work circle a little bit and you will find people who measure up to your expectations.

well said

[starlight7]

iI have had many an exciting and stimulating conversation with Australians . I think it is generalising in the extreme to say they are boring and probably a bit of bad luck on the part of the OP that they have landed in a cultural desert, so to speak.Most Australians travel a lot, far more than the average British person- and they learn a lot about how to get on with people from different cultures and about different points of view. Often they will keep their cards close to their chest until they feel they know and trust you- but this shouldn't be confused with dullness. Just sensible caution in my book and I do the same.

[Guest SupportPants]

Perhaps they just found you boring? I hope this isn't a transcript of your stand-up act...Stop picking on Australia!!! and you are being disrespectful .."has anyone ever tried to have a conversation"

 

"But in all my years I have never felt so frustrated and disengaged. I have had better conversations with folks who cannot even speak English in other parts of the globe, and great laughs to go with it"

 

your not funny and I'm not really caring if I'm banned...You're a pig and your painting a completely unfair picture of Australians and generalising the populous..go where you can be appreciated by folk that don't even speak English..they're the only ones who think your funny...Because 'they don't speak English' and don't understand your stupid jokes or criticisms ....BAH

 

With manners like that do you think anyone will care about your opinion of the original post? To be fair to Dave the Bear many others on here have posted that they agree with him and find the general Australian culture dull/lacking to some extent. PIO's MBTTUK is an outlet for many people who are isolated and unhappy - no one wants to move countries and discover they don't fit in.

[MARYROSE02]

With manners like that do you think anyone will care about your opinion of the original post? To be fair to Dave the Bear many others on here have posted that they agree with him and find the general Australian culture dull/lacking to some extent. PIO's MBTTUK is an outlet for many people who are isolated and unhappy - no one wants to move countries and discover they don't fit in.

 

The thing that perplexes me about people who say they hate Aussie culture is that they NEVER seem to do anything about it.

 

If they live in a capital city why don't they subscribe to all the theatre companies, orchestras & ballet? Why don't they join philosophy groups, creative writing groups, enroll in WEA classes, go and do an arts degree at an Aussie uni. I did a BA at UNSW. Do you think you don't study 'real' uniiversity topics just because it's in Australia?

 

I love Shakespeare and there seem to be as many performances here as there are in the UK. I've seen R & J, Hamlet (performed in German as part of the Sydney Festival), AMSND. I'm going to see Richard III later this year, sold out of course - why on earth would foreign artists want to come to a cultural desert like Australia? Check out some Aussie playwrights like David Williamson.

 

My friend Bill goes to a philosophy group - all Aussies and they all read the philosophers in the original text. Bill is always going on to me about David Hume or Karl Popper.

 

One thing to remember about MBTTUK is that it represents a tiny fraction of PIO posts but it's impossible to avoid seeing the titles as you scroll through the titles. For some of us it's hard not to 'bite' when something seems so ignorant and patronising.

[Guest SupportPants]

The thing that perplexes me about people who say they hate Aussie culture is that they NEVER seem to do anything about it.

 

If they live in a capital city why don't they subscribe to all the theatre companies, orchestras & ballet? Why don't they join philosophy groups, creative writing groups, enroll in WEA classes, go and do an arts degree at an Aussie uni. I did a BA at UNSW. Do you think you don't study 'real' uniiversity topics just because it's in Australia?

 

I love Shakespeare and there seem to be as many performances here as there are in the UK. I've seen R & J, Hamlet (performed in German as part of the Sydney Festival), AMSND. I'm going to see Richard III later this year, sold out of course - why on earth would foreign artists want to come to a cultural desert like Australia? Check out some Aussie playwrights like David Williamson.

 

My friend Bill goes to a philosophy group - all Aussies and they all read the philosophers in the original text. Bill is always going on to me about David Hume or Karl Popper.

 

One thing to remember about MBTTUK is that it represents a tiny fraction of PIO posts but it's impossible to avoid seeing the titles as you scroll through the titles. For some of us it's hard not to 'bite' when something seems so ignorant and patronising.

 

A lot of people don't live in a capital city so don't have access to the arts here. Certainly where I live Stockland is about the only 'cultural meeting point' - which means I import dvds from the UK on a weekly basis and spend a lot of time on the internet connecting with people I do share experience with.

 

I think people in this thread are generally referring to 'culture' as something different anyway - the day to day bit of banter down the pub or a chat with a neighbour. Plenty of Brits move to Oz imo on the misapprehension that Aussies are similar to us - when for the most part they're not. Not better or worse - just different and that catches out some Brits who end up becoming lonely and depressed.

[Harpodom]

A lot of people don't live in a capital city so don't have access to the arts here. Certainly where I live Stockland is about the only 'cultural meeting point' - which means I import dvds from the UK on a weekly basis and spend a lot of time on the internet connecting with people I do share experience with.

 

I think people in this thread are generally referring to 'culture' as something different anyway - the day to day bit of banter down the pub or a chat with a neighbour. Plenty of Brits move to Oz imo on the misapprehension that Aussies are similar to us - when for the most part they're not. Not better or worse - just different and that catches out some Brits who end up becoming lonely and depressed.

 

Exactly right Pants (not something I ever expected to type).

Partly it's down to a shared sense of identity (or not as the case may be), such as having grown up watching certain tv shows, or certain events in the calendar like the boat race or the grand national, the area you come from in the uk and the regional accent (or not) that goes with it; the day to day seemingly banal points of reference which mean a lot to Brits and nothing to anyone else, and vice versa.

It's also down to a shared set of priorities (or not as the case may be), such as enjoying socialising down the pub versus in your backyard, going for dainty walks in the countryside versus bush walking, and of course football vs NRL or AFL (or neither in my case:SLEEP:).

 

I'm sure an equivalent forum for Aussies living in the uk would make very similar observations about the natives seeming to be a bit dull....

[Guest guest22466]

I understand the miserable and bored situation..ive felt like this for 10 years but stay here to take care of my son...so unable to return to the UK ......yet....I so miss my family and friends. It has nothing to do with Australia for me ...as I think its a nice country, people nice etc but living here without my funny family and friends I find sad and boring.Example I was on the phone for 2 hours with a friend from the uk last night and laughed like a good one....tears strolling down the face material......thats what i miss...and the genuine love and hugs that mean i really love you and want to see you....for real xxx

[Guest Guest16631]

Exactly right Pants (not something I ever expected to type).

Partly it's down to a shared sense of identity (or not as the case may be), such as having grown up watching certain tv shows, or certain events in the calendar like the boat race or the grand national, the area you come from in the uk and the regional accent (or not) that goes with it; the day to day seemingly banal points of reference which mean a lot to Brits and nothing to anyone else, and vice versa.

It's also down to a shared set of priorities (or not as the case may be), such as enjoying socialising down the pub versus in your backyard, going for dainty walks in the countryside versus bush walking, and of course football vs NRL or AFL (or neither in my case:SLEEP:).

 

I'm sure an equivalent forum for Aussies living in the uk would make very similar observations about the natives seeming to be a bit dull....

............................and I feel these points are what a lot of migrants fail to consider when emigrating..........................the humour ,priorities,sport and tv and even countryside is different............................its no more like the uk than spains or africa's..................there may be similarities.....................but................its not the same....................after 20 years I still don't have the same sense of humour as many aussie friends..............I enjoy the uk channel on the tv........make an effort to seek out some cultural events................not interested in sport......................but I have taken what australia does have to offer.......................and made the most and enjoyed it...............................the wildlife here is amazing..........the great outdoors.........what foods I miss............still after 20 years...:shocked:.....I look for in the shops or find an alternative....................migration is about more than just a lifestyle or weather.................its personalities....................the essence of the way of life from australia day to the state afl games...................its about about beer and a barbie,sun sea and fishing..........:wideeyed:........ and even if you don't want to partake of these events ......................its about accepting and understanding what makes australian people tick....................

[Guest guest22466]

............................and I feel these points are what a lot of migrants fail to consider when emigrating..........................the humour ,priorities,sport and tv and even countryside is different............................its no more like the uk than spains or africa's..................there may be similarities.....................but................its not the same....................after 20 years I still don't have the same sense of humour as many aussie friends..............I enjoy the uk channel on the tv........make an effort to seek out some cultural events................not interested in sport......................but I have taken what australia does have to offer.......................and made the most and enjoyed it...............................the wildlife here is amazing..........the great outdoors.........what foods I miss............still after 20 years...:shocked:.....I look for in the shops or find an alternative....................migration is about more than just a lifestyle or weather.................its personalities....................the essence of the way of life from australia day to the state afl games...................its about about beer and a barbie,sun sea and fishing..........:wideeyed:........ and even if you don't want to partake of these events ......................its about accepting and understanding what makes australian people tick....................

 

Your so right..Australia is not the UK...and for some Australia has everything and for some the Uk has everything...its all down to each person and what they want and are looking for in their lives. No one is right no one is wrong they are just both different countries in many ways. As they say Australia is not the Uk with sunshine.....and it is not.

[MARYROSE02]

Well, I was down the pub last night - Triple Aces on the corner of Elizabeth & Campbell Sts, to watch Spurs away to Wolves and it was the usual mixture of Aussies & Poms (and a few Asians too - they love their EPL too!)

 

If you had asked me to tell the difference between the Aussies & the Poms, other than their accents, I could not have done it. Their love of Spurs, beer & banter seemed to be the same. Everyone shook hands, said 'gidday', greeted each new arrival with the chant 'Yiddo, Yiddo!' (happened to me tonight for the first time. I felt I'd REALLY been accepted!)

 

I even asked a couple of them about their experiences coming to OZ. Nathan is an Aussie married to a Pom so I asked him if his wife had had any problems here? 'No, only the usual missing her family in UK.' Then I asked Toby, who is the opposite - a Pommie married to an Aussie, if HE had experienced any problems? 'No, just a bit of taking the Mickey.' They both seemed almost surprised at the question.

 

Friday night I got talking to some young Aussie guys watching Tigers v Dragons in the Paddo Arms. Just a simple ? 'Are the Dragons out now or do they get a second chance?' Then I asked if any of them were into the EPL? It seems simple enough to me to get talking and I'm not very outgoing. Next time you are in a pub and there's AFL or NRL on, try asking someone to explain what's happening? As long as you are not patronising, I bet they'd be happy to talk.

 

Incidentally, as far as living in the capital cities goes to get access to 'culture', most Pommies, as do the Aussies, live in the state capitals. We are one of the most urbanised countries in the World.