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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to wonder about the perception of life in Australia?

275 replies

TheVoiceWithin · 15/03/2018 17:00

im British living in Australia.
Everybody seems to think the Australian way of life is constant BBQ's/swimming with dolphins/working 10hrs a week and bringing home $300k a year. Everybody spends everyday at the beach. Nobody can't surf. Etc.
It's ridiculous. So, Aibu to wonder what gives people this idea?

Is it the TV shows? I've seen wanted down under (once) and I have to admit I was a bit Confused at the whole thing, because the particular family hadn't seemed to have done a bit of research, figured out they'd be financially worse off AND she'd have to go back to work too. but they wanted to go anyway. But couldn't because neither would qualify for a visa anyway. Confused if not that, then what?

OP posts:
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6
NoKnownFather · 20/03/2018 04:46

DozyDotes great post! I've never been to the UK but after reading posts here, that's never going to happen (now).

All the 'life threatening' spiders etc stories are a figment of someone's vivid imagination....I was bitten 'twice' on the middle finger a couple of years ago by a Redback spider and didn't die!! LOL The spider didn't run down the street and attack me at full speed either, it was actually my fault because I was pruning a shrub in the garden without gloves and even though I had ID the web and knew it was there, I still managed (accidentally) to grab it with the leaves/branch I was cutting off. Of course, it bit my finger (who could blame it???) but each bite (there were two) was just like a pin prick. Not a life-and-death-mercy-dash to hospital, I wasn't about to die, it was only a spider....sheesh!!! Most importantly I didn't panic as that's what sends the venom through your body, couldn't even see the puncture marks after a day or three. Don't think I will talk about swimming with crocodiles........shock/horror!!!!

It's a good idea (everywhere) to cover up and prevent skin cancer. Everyone I know still goes out and enjoys Summer, we just cover up, that's not too hard or even difficult. I will agree BBC/TV is 100% crap....please stop selling it here, we don't want to watch it!

Anyway, would hate you to think Australia as a great place to live....best you stay in the UK and whinge about the weather and everything else.

TheClaws · 20/03/2018 05:15

Iwasjustabout how could you possibly know that just because people live in a small town? They have cars, planes and trains, you know. And the internet, TV, and books. I just find that an odd and belittling assumption. Some people may not have travelled far, particularly the more elderly, but that is becoming less common now.

DetMcnulty · 20/03/2018 05:43

Hey Althea, that sounds like quite an experience, did you make the world record? Penguin island is lovely, as is most of Perth imo, though if i had my way we'd be on a couple of acres near margaret river. Not much call for oil and gas IT down there, sadly. Holding out for retirement!

Quantumblue · 20/03/2018 05:54

I'm at Melbourne Airport right now. They had 10 million international passengers last year and 25 million domestic. You can't really describe it as an city with limited air connections.

Iwasjustabouttosaythat · 20/03/2018 11:20

Quantum, I meant it’s harder for people to get from the airport to the city in Melbourne. Sydney and Brisbane both have trains. In Melbourne it’s taxi or Skybus. I’ve met plenty of people who said they just skipped Melbourne for this reason.

TheClaws, it’s just a generalisation, calm down. You can’t honestly tell me you believe that people who spend their entire lives in a rural small town in Australia are as sophisticated as people who live in cities because they have access to the internet. I have lived in small town Australia and in big city Australia and I can tell you the difference is glaringly obvious.

NoKnownFather, was the bite incredibly painful? I heard it’s like holding a lit match to your skin for 20 minutes. Shock Did you get very sick?

rubybleu · 20/03/2018 11:21

It can’t be be all bad. Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra are all in Mercer’s top 30 most liveable cities, the most cities of any country in the top 30. The U.K.’s first entry is London at 39, behind Brisbane at 36... no other U.K. cities except Edinburgh make it into the top 50.

TheClaws · 21/03/2018 00:28

iwasjustabout generalisations are not useful. I’m totally calm, thanks. ‘Sophistication’ is in the eye of the beholder. You are making an assumption about an entire group of people simply because they do not live in a city environment. That’s just a bit uninformed, sorry.

AjasLipstick · 21/03/2018 00:50

Ruby I can believe it. I live in Adelaide and there's just such a lot to love about the place. It's beautiful and the people are lovely. There are amazing festivals happening on an almost monthly basis....the Adelaide Fringe is world renowned and we also have the Cabaret Festival and TONNES of beautiful fashion and accessory markets.

In summer there are events outdoors, with lovely free live music, food stalls, market stalls and children's activities...by the beach or close to the beach.

There's always something to do....there are museums and galleries as well as some great schools.

AjasLipstick · 21/03/2018 00:51

My DD got bitten by a white tip spider and it blistered horribly but she wasnt in agony. It took a lot of care to make sure it healed well though.

Cousinit · 21/03/2018 01:33

I agree that Adelaide is a fantastic place to live. We used to live there and I would move back if I could. The Aussie people I met while
living there were wonderful. I've never witnessed this casual racism everyone's talking about either.

Iwasjustabouttosaythat · 21/03/2018 04:42

TheClaws, judging by your statements and mine, my opinion is far more informed than yours. This thread is about generalisations. If it’s not “helpful” for you why are you even here? Please go back to basic English and learn about comprehension. I think you must have missed that.

TheClaws · 21/03/2018 05:18

Oh, that’s funny! Love that one. (Just so you know, I have a PhD in Literature, and work as a professional writer, so ...) Anyway, my interest in the thread isn’t you. It’s about Australia, and I happen to live here and love it. I currently live in a medium-sized area semi-rurally, but I’ve also lived in cities and small towns and loved all of them. I realise, though, my experience isn’t everyone’s else’s, but I just don’t like others to depend upon lazy stereotypes.

wakemeupbefore · 21/03/2018 05:27

You can’t honestly tell me you believe that people who spend their entire lives in a rural small town in Australia are as sophisticated as people who live in cities because they have access to the internet.
--------

Ever been to small towns in rural England? Oases of sophistication, culture and class Hmm.... or not.

steff13 · 21/03/2018 06:58

I hate to say it, but I'm one of those dreadful people that feeds possums.

Your possums are so cute though. The opossums were have he in the US look like giant rats. And they're mean! They hiss at you. My big dumb dog is terrified of them.

steff13 · 21/03/2018 06:58

Oh, and I think Australia seems like a very worthwhile place to visit and/or live. Smile

TheClaws · 21/03/2018 06:59

I wouldn’t make an assumption as no, I haven’t been there. I don’t know if they’d appreciate you describing them as such Smile

Iwasjustabouttosaythat · 23/03/2018 03:58

Then we might get along in real life TheClaws, as my undergrad at University was in literary studies. Mumsnet is another thing entirely. 😂

I grew up in properly rural Australia and moved around a lot. DPs family are also from rural Australia so I have had a lot of visits to those places too. It’s an observation I’ve made on my many travels. There are exceptions to every rule of course (DPs mother is a very well traveled university lecturer, but then she has lived in big cities too) but I have yet to meet enough country folk (and I do mean country) to change that opinion.

The point I was making is that you can’t judge the entire county of Australia based on a short visit to one town/city like a lot of people were doing. I think you were making the same point originally.

cueominousmusic · 29/03/2018 00:58

steff13: Yes, possums are incredibly cute, and I don't want to sound soppy, but when I see a mum possum carrying a baby on her back, it makes my heart melt.

Reading about American opossums reminds me of the episode of "Brooklyn Nine-nine" that I saw recently. The character Charles has temporarily lost his sight, and was using his "new heightened senses" to find the Captain's missing dog. It ended up showing him cuddling a large rat-like opossum. Love that show.

steff13 · 29/03/2018 01:10

Oh my gosh, Captain Holt is my soulmate.

cueominousmusic · 29/03/2018 03:53

steff Captain Holt is my soulmate

I've loved Andre Braugher for years, ever since I first saw him in "Homicide: life on the streets" - another fabulously written programme.

In "Brooklyn 9-9," he shows himself to be so adept at deadpan comedy, that he amazed me. It's a great character. Actually, most characters in that show are very well written.

steff13 · 29/03/2018 05:08

I do like all of the actors a lot. I was actually watching an old episode of Law & Order yesterday, and it was a crossover with Homicide: Life on the Streets. Andre Braugher looked so young.

Aussiemum78 · 29/03/2018 05:49

"Alongside the racism is more domestic violence (elder abuse going on with my neighbours), tons of rules (no drinking shots after midnight, security men at every pub) and drink driving is socially acceptable"

I'm actually shocked at this thread. A lot of stereotypes.

I can't even fathom who thinks drink driving is socially acceptable. Maybe in the 1970s! But certainly not now.

And yeah I actually will be at the beach tomorrow, its going to be 33. Right after a hike and before I head to the local brewery for a beer. I live in a coastal area so the stereotype fits. But probably wouldn't if I was living in most areas of Sydney.

Aussiemum78 · 29/03/2018 05:57

"I find it particularly funny that people can say we're in denial about our historical legacy here, but are the Brits taking responsibility for their role in it? I doubt it."

From the country that invaded half the world and still thinks people should be born into aristrocratic titles. Yes we are so backward and racist....

cueominousmusic · 29/03/2018 06:56

steff13: Yes, everyone of the actors (in both shows) really pulls their weight. I started to watch "Cuckoo" simply because Andy Samberg was in it (on Netflix) but disliked the character of the father so much - no actually, I think I have disliked the actor who played the father in other things as well - and had to stop watching.

Coincidentally, I have been watching Law and Order: CI. I'll have to chase up the SVU with Andre Braugher in it. Didn't the character of Munch at one time hold the record for the most crossovers into other shows?

Have you seen Andre B.in "Glory" about black soldiers fighting in the Civil War? Denzel Washington won an Academy Award for it, but much as I like him, I think that in this, he chewed the scenery a lot - it was a very flashy role. However, Andre Braugher and Morgan Freeman were both extraordinarily effective believable, and yet very understated.

HelloHouse · 22/04/2018 22:22

I just wanted to add that I came across this thread as I'm moving to Australia (Sydney) next week. I can't wait and this thread has made my evening Grin
My DH has spent 5 months there and me a month. Work is sponsoring him and we both have jobs there. I loved the lifestyle, culture (!), and now kind most people were. I know missing our family and friends will be something we can't fully understand but we love it such a beautiful place.

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