what don't you like about Aus?

[RYLC]

Actually this is a bit like asking somebody "what is it like to have a baby?" Some will paint a picture of all the wonderful things about it and some will feel it necessary to fill in all the things that can go wrong or bad things that have happened to their baby. BOTH VIEWS ARE VALID and strongly depend on what sort of baby you get and what sort of parent you are and whether they are a good "match" and whether you have found it easy or not. My sister told me raising a kid was a breeze and for her it was. Mine had colic and was a nightmare

The same with migration - where we settle in Oz (what baby we get) and how that gels with our ability to adjust and adapt will determine how the experience is for us. For all those still in RSA asking the questions about what is it like in Oz, it would be great if you could reply here when you can compare what you have read with what your own experience is now (once that baby has been "born")

I don't care how other people cope, everyone for themselves.

Now now that is not the Australian way

[HansaPlease]

The "golden ticket" that Politicians get when they retire. $200k per year every year until they die and 10 business class flights per year, to name a few. Are you serious? We're all talking about having to tighten our belts here and yet there's waste like that going on. $50k a year and a free bus pass I would accept, but what did they do that was so special to deserve such pampering when they retire?

[Johnno]

The moral of the story is.....Regardless of one's personal experiences and those stories supported by honest links to daily newspaper reports or interpreting graphs for people with arrows, DO NOT mention ANYTHING that even slightly suggests or paints the slightest blemish on Australia because you will be attacked, told you're unhappy in Aus (which is BS) and should move back to SA. Enough said and yes, time to move on.

The "golden ticket" that Politicians get when they retire. $200k per year every year until they die and 10 business class flights per year, to name a few. Are you serious? We're all talking about having to tighten our belts here and yet there's waste like that going on. $50k a year and a free bus pass I would accept, but what did they do that was so special to deserve such pampering when they retire?

I came across this on FB, how true!

[Johnno]

Now now that is not the Australian way

what is the Australian way? When you are retrenched on your 457 visa with kids in school, rent to pay and nothing in savings, go tell your Aussie boss.....it's not the Australian way. People make such big deal of "the Australian way" but please do not be fooled. Of course we are all grateful of the opportunity that we have to live in such a wonderful country but Australia need immigrants as much as the immigrants want Australia. So many people make a fuss out of the opportunity extended to us and that we should be eternally grateful but Australia did not take us in asylum seekers (thankfully) they took us in because of our skills, qualifications and the fact that we'll be paying taxes and working in support of the Australian economy.

[RYLC]

I was going to write a big long explanation about "everyone for themselves" not being the Australian way and about 457's being TEMPORARY but I dread the graph that will accompany the reply and truthfully I don't think you'll get where I'm coming from.....

Over and out

Edited May 3, 2014 by Crisplet

[HansaPlease]

I came across this on FB, how true!

That is just insane and actually makes me angry. How many pensioners can one ex politician's salary support?

[Johnno]

I was going to write a big long explanation about "everyone for themselves" not being the Australian way and about 457's being TEMPORARY but I dread the graph that will accompany the reply and truthfully I don't think you'll get where I'm coming from.....

Over and out

I assume what you're referring to is TAWOL, a well used acronym for The Australian Way Of Life, often bantered around by politicians. Just Google it, here's one Australians view: http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=10810

[Johnno]

whoa, HadEnoughofJuju, back your horses up and get your facts right.If I'm going to be lectured by anyone (like you) I'd prefer that they have their facts straight, it's the least they can do! I do not only have negative comments to make about Australia (read here: http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/42771-the-big-question-12-months-left-would-you-rather-live-somewhere-other-than-australia/#entry384364) it's pretty straight fwd.

As for AndreaL, I deeply sympathise with her and we even shared a PM. Being away from family when she and her family are dealing when at such a low ebb in their lives is not easy. I did not think that one had to publicly show their concerns to be considered respectful.......again a very incorrect assumption made on your part. And for the record I DID NOT comment with crime stats in response to her very personal story, it was in response to "funtobeaussiechick" who clearly does not understand the trend ratio of a basic graph.......so I helped her.

I'm not looking for a fight, I'm looking to add some balance to both sides of the story, something which I have received thanks and gratitude from at least a handful of forum members. Unfortunately it's people like you who clearly do not want a balanced view and see any negative comment as an attack on Australia. For gods sake grow up!

edit: You say that there's nothing wrong with sharing both the good and the bad of Australia with the forum but you seem to get terribly upset when people do just that, share some of the bad stuff. What gets to me is people like you (see no ambiguity there) who choose not to inform or share the bad side of life in Australia but obviously choose to ignore it. I'll not elaborate but I'm sure you know what I mean and IMO, it kinda gives people the wrong impression, don't you think?

Edited May 3, 2014 by HadEnoughofJuju
removed my own post

[Toitjie]

HEOJ has shared plenty of bad stuff, as have I and many others. None of us ever got roasted for saying things as they are. We all agree with you Johnno, no-one has ever disagreed about crime. It's not that we don't see the problems or have blinkers on. We are here, we made a choice and now we live by that choice. I dont see what value it adds to talk this topic to death. I agree with previous comments that it is in the way you talk. And you will most probably also tell me off for this and give a long explanation of why Im wrong, but the fact is, you always seem to get people riled up, and whether its intentional or not (I dont think it is), that's just how it is. When I was a youngster someone told me Im a know it all. It really hurt as I always try to talk sense and facts and whatever my good intentions were, the way I came over was negative, so although I took the criticizm badly (what teenager wont) I took a lesson out of it and altered the way I interact with people and although I think Im right sometimes, I dont patronize people. It's not the what, it's the how

[Johnno]

Thanks Toitjie, your comments are certainly taken on board in a constructive way Please be assured that I do not want to discourage or give anyone second thoughts about their move to Aus, it is not my intention. My intention was to add a balanced view, maybe I went too far

[HansaPlease]

For the record, I also don't think it's intentional.

Group hug?

[Toitjie]

jayy!! I love group hugs!

[Johnno]

For the record, I also don't think it's intentional.

Group hug?

jayy!! I love group hugs!

*cough*.......ja okay quickly.......I don't want anyone to see my "soft side"

PS! Please delete after group hug

Edited May 3, 2014 by Johnno

[AndreaL]

Shhhhhhh, what's that sound?....................Oh it's the sound of harmony on the forum................lol...................can I get in on this group hug guys?

I've been reading a few posts and have the following to say................OBD, you're all heart..............lol...............who else could say, " It sucks to be you" and I know exactly what you mean................ya big softy.

I would pick Jon Snow as I've always had a thing for the underdog...................but I've read the books too...............Jamie Lannister is not my type and his little tryst with Cersei last week was yuck!

Bronwyn, if I were batting for the other side, I would pick Danaerys......................but I like men with flowing locks and a dangerous side

Johnno and I did share a very nice pm................and guess what, he has a soft side......................lol...................you so know I am going to tell everyone? You remind me a bit of a dog with a bone sometimes, but I agree with Hansa, I think it is the way you are, just like I am an annoying know-it-all............One day I'm going to shout you a few beers.........or maybe a lot, I think we'd butt heads, fall out and have another beer, make up, fall out and have another beer...........we would annoy one another incredibly......................it would either be great fun.............or result in a terrible crime...................just joking. BTW are you originally from the UK or have you lived there? (Your reference to Benny Hill.

Toitjie, I also got called a know it all, twice in my life, once in the UK in my twenties and quite recently on Aussiekaaners................the thing is, I am, and I know that it is incredibly annoying, but if that is my worst personality trait, I think I will be O.K. And you my dear friend are one of the finest and most analytical, accepting and loving person I am privileged to have as a friend.............maybe we'll also have a beer together, someday.

OK, now the hugs and harmony are flowing, can we all agree that on this issue, there is no right answer and just remember to respect one another?

Oh and if you want to know what I did last night, I ended up skyping a wonderful friend overseas and we got tipsy together and had a massive 3 hour skype/facebook conversation, said stupid things and giggled like teenagers until the early hours of the morning.....................and that is why I love all the wonderful technology we have these days.......................trashcats in different parts of the world can have such fun!

Love you all peeps..................peace and goodwill to all.

[Mara]

I just knew I should have been on the forum last night, but nah....instead I was serving dinner and doing the washing up... now I missed the group hugs :cry:

[Johnno]

Johnno and I did share a very nice pm................and guess what, he has a soft side......................lol...................you so know I am going to tell everyone? You remind me a bit of a dog with a bone sometimes, but I agree with Hansa, I think it is the way you are, just like I am an annoying know-it-all............One day I'm going to shout you a few beers.........or maybe a lot, I think we'd butt heads, fall out and have another beer, make up, fall out and have another beer...........we would annoy one another incredibly......................it would either be great fun.............or result in a terrible crime...................just joking. BTW are you originally from the UK or have you lived there? (Your reference to Benny Hill.

AndeaL, if you're shouting the beers I will be the most attentive listener you'll ever meet and I will agree with everything you say......just keep buying the beer As for Benny Hill, nah I'm a born 'n bred Saffa from CT. Our neighbours were pommies and they used to get all the tapes from their family in UK and since they had a really beautiful daughter who is now my lovely wife (they also had a really nice colour TV and VCR player), I sat through endless hours of Benny Hill which I hated but it grew on me and it does hold fond memories. At the ripe old age of 33yrs we moved to Aus to give our 2 kids a better future. That was just over 13 years ago and we're very happy. My wife's sister and my older brother and there moved over a few years later so it was really lekker to have family in our daily lives again. The rest is top secret

Edited May 4, 2014 by Johnno

[Johnno]

Back on topic. I dislike that the changing fuel prices. I feel ripped off when I put in fuel on a Wed (which is supposed to be the cheapest) and then the next service station down the road (same brand) is 5c a litre cheaper! Also when you're told if you buy two bottles of water or any two chocolates from this box, you can get 8c a litre off! These fuel vouchers and discount coupons are daylight robbery!

[HansaPlease]

I hate specials that are not specials. Barbecues galore have the same cheaply built barbecue in their catalogue pretty much year-round for "half price" at $399. Thing is, I've never seen it full price. It's not an $800 barbecue, it's only worth about $400 and is permanently sold at that price, so how on earth can it be "half price"?

I'm clutching at straws here. I guess I have a lot to be thankful for living here.

[Johnno]

I hate specials that are not specials. Barbecues galore have the same cheaply built barbecue in their catalogue pretty much year-round for "half price" at $399. Thing is, I've never seen it full price. It's not an $800 barbecue, it's only worth about $400 and is permanently sold at that price, so how on earth can it be "half price"?

I'm clutching at straws here. I guess I have a lot to be thankful for living here.

Yeah, these are just pesky dislikes, certainly not a game changer. What about the a Rugs A Million liquidation sales that seem to go on year in and year out.

[Sunnyskies]

I hate cheap junk from Bunnings. Bought a yard broom. While sweeping normally handle buckled and bent over. Bit of a mission to get a wooden handle. First world problem but flippen annoying that so much stuff is cheap and nasty. Same thing with garden fork and I didn't even buy the cheapest option.

[Johnno]

You really get what you pay for. We bought a lounge suite for a kids lounge and within 6 months it was falling apart. It looked good, felt good but it was cheap and that should have been all the warning we needed. If you want cheap you can get cheap but it's rubbish, especially cheap Bunnings batteries and other cr@p.

[Jordy]

Back on topic. I dislike that the changing fuel prices. I feel ripped off when I put in fuel on a Wed (which is supposed to be the cheapest) and then the next service station down the road (same brand) is 5c a litre cheaper! Also when you're told if you buy two bottles of water or any two chocolates from this box, you can get 8c a litre off! These fuel vouchers and discount coupons are daylight robbery!

lol I got the 2 chocolates option today. Got 2 Mars bars and saved 8 cents a liter. worked out that the choclates cost me 55 cents extra. Although by saying I got the chocolates, I mean my kids got them and every time we drive past the petrol station my kids ask if I need fuel.

[Toitjie]

I don't care much for the clothing lines. Im no fashionista but I loved the trendy and hip clothing lines from Truworths. I have tried to shop for work clothes today and I really tried, from cheap at Target to expensive at Myer and I could not find any blouses or shirts that I liked. The colours to my eye are old and bland. I wish someone could open a Truworths!

[RYLC]

I found it best to buy work wear from a work wear specialist: http://www.totallyworkwear.com.au/womens.html

Unit 4/ 67 - 71 Vicars Street

MITCHELL, ACT, 2911

I love their suits and know that I can buy replacement pants or skirt and the jacket will still match. The blouses are in multiple colours and soooo comfortable.

[Toitjie]

Crisplet? Are you in Canberra?