how easy is it to make friends in Australia!

Baby75 · #1 (**permalink**) 18th July 2007, 04:45 PM

Hello
i was on another forum for mothers and children and there was a thread from a girl wondering what its really like to live in Australia while most people who replied loved it there alot of the girls said they had not made any real close friends that they would text and ring on a regular basis and this got me wondering surely it cant be that hard to make friends i know some people are hard to get to know but they couldn't all be like that . any way how have you found making friends hard or easy is it easy to settle in.
we have friends living there and its my husbands best friend who married an Australian he never had any problems making friends and has settled in great

what do you think!

Hazel · #2 (**permalink**) 19th July 2007, 01:54 AM

I've been living in Oz for almost 6 months now and have a 6 year old in grade 1. In my experience it *is* hard to get close to the other moms. I won't say *all* Australians are difficult to get close to, but it does seem harder to get a hard date, so to speak, with an Australian mom. I don't know what it is. I found I made friends with a true blue Aussie lady of 75 but no one my own age (who by the way was such a help during my settling in process). I have asked two other moms for a play date and they seem to um and aah but nothing ever happens. I have had get-togethers with other foreigners, no problem: Chinese, Britons and even a Serb. But not a single Aussie....unless I count my neighbour who is my age and is very nice. I am not sure if it's a school thing or what. Let me know when/if you ever find out the answer! Oh I forgot to add that Kiwis I find sooo easy to get together with...I really like them.

newtoOZ · #3 (**permalink**) 19th July 2007, 12:34 PM

I think it is easier to get to know other people who are new because you have a lot more in common with them. Also, they don't have a network of friends already in place. Think about it. How many new friends have you made in the last year?

ct220959 · #4 (**permalink**) 19th July 2007, 03:11 PM

Hi,

maybe we got lucky, two girls who play netball and a son who plays rugby we had no probs at all. Dont stand back and wait though as we brits can do, you have to be quite forward at times. We also found the meeting place was generally the local or a coffee or wine bar.
that said if you ask people round for a barbie then you could be on, I cant cook but everyone just came with eskie, meat, stubbies and wine. Men took over barbie and it was great

col

Baby75 · #5 (**permalink**) 19th July 2007, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ct220959

Hi,

maybe we got lucky, two girls who play netball and a son who plays rugby we had no probs at all. Dont stand back and wait though as we brits can do, you have to be quite forward at times. We also found the meeting place was generally the local or a coffee or wine bar.
that said if you ask people round for a barbie then you could be on, I cant cook but everyone just came with eskie, meat, stubbies and wine. Men took over barbie and it was great

col

So I guess its sos get out there and be friendly i dont mind that i like meeting new people and my oh has no problem talking to people he would talk to a wall if it would answer back

never a dull moment with him. we have 3 boys and im sure they will be in to every thing i love horse ridding so i want to get our boys in to that.
thanks for the positive feed back

Baby75 · #6 (**permalink**) 19th July 2007, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtoOZ

I think it is easier to get to know other people who are new because you have a lot more in common with them. Also, they don't have a network of friends already in place. Think about it. How many new friends have you made in the last year?

yes i see what you mean and its all about meeting new people doesn't matter were they are from

Baby75 · #7 (**permalink**) 19th July 2007, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby75

yes i see what you mean and its all about meeting new people doesn't matter were they are from

that smiley was meant to be a happy one

tygwyn · #8 (**permalink**) 20th July 2007, 12:25 AM

Yes, like the others have said, its all about putting yourself out there. I didnt have a huge circle of friends in the UK but here I have really made the effort. I have lots of 'expat' friends but also Aussies too. I volunteer at the school - just reading once a week but its gotten me well known there. I volunteer as a driver for meals on wheels - again it just gets my face out there. My daughter swims 3 times a week in squads, does gymnastics and horse riding. These have all been opportunities for me to meet new people. I've only really got ONE true Aussie mate (and her family) but I have lots of Aussie aquaintances.

The main thing is to not be shy - just get out there!

newtoOZ · #9 (**permalink**) 20th July 2007, 02:37 PM

People here are rather outgoing, so there might be an assumption that if you don't 'put yourself out there' it's because you really aren't interested in meeting people. If you are an introvert, that makes it a bit harder, I think.

Baby75 · #10 (**permalink**) 20th July 2007, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtoOZ

People here are rather outgoing, so there might be an assumption that if you don't 'put yourself out there' it's because you really aren't interested in meeting people. If you are an introvert, that makes it a bit harder, I think.

good point

ill be aiming to get out and do things and meet people i really want to make a good go of this as i am really a home person but my husband has always wanted to go to Australia he has been asking me for AGES

we haven't been having much luck here in Ireland job wise two companies my husband worked for shut up shop so twice it ruined our chances of applying for a mortgage so feck it time to see a bit of the world i think

we have nothing to lose and lots to gain!