[attagirl]

I think that is the problem with most expats from foreign countries. They are not used to the way people live in the new country and get looked at wrong because they choose to live their life differently than you might. I think that being lazy depends on the person. There is no problem taking breaks frequently as long as they are getting the work done. Each person have different idea's of work and how it should be done. Just because one person believes they should work themselves to the bone, does not mean that the other person is less of a person because they refuse to do the same.

 

[lillymist]

wow

Well im new here but i was amazed to see how everyone is so quick to run down the life that they proberly couldnt wait to go and have....this goes to show how little reseach many people do...so id say that is also i sign of being lazy...when you move to a new place you have to expect that it wont be the same and well go with the flow or get out and go back to what you are missing...im sure once you get back your old life you will have things to moan about there too...and i so agree with the saying...don't live to work...work to live...life is way to short to be hassled over such things as weather or not everyone is hard working....if we all put as much effort into living as we do into moaing about living then wow the things we could experience.....lol.....have fun be happy....

 

[Aussiejock]

I've already said that I don't think Aussies are lazy but I don't think that any amount of research prepares you for living in a country. You have to do it before you know whether it's for you or not.

 

[synthia]

Well, sometimes the work doesn't get done. Then it's a problem.

I agree that research only tells you so much. It's like sex. Reading about it just doesn't quite cut it, does it?

 

[newtoOZ]

But usually it does get done. Less stressfully, too.

I agree that research can only take you so far. If research were the same as doing something, we'd never need to leave our laptops. Of course, some of us never do anyway.

 

[Quassia]

There's plenty of lazy folk both sides. Maybe the Aussies are more open about it than some.

My Aussie OH works hard to the extent that I wish he'd take time off for some R&R sometimes. But that's his personal work ethic, and who he is.

There's no doubt that Sydneysiders are expected to put in extremely long hours. They have to to afford property there! Also it's a very competitve world class work arena there.

My personal thoughts are that you can't always generalise, but on the whole, Aussies are not on that hamster wheel of work as much as the average UK worker. Yes you could call it lazy. You could also say relaxed, laid back, less stressed. Healthier even.

Maybe it comes from the climate. The Caribbean nations tend to have a similar attitude. It can be infuriating to deal with, but I get the feeling they enjoy life more than us workaholics. Anyway, if we choose to live there, it's up to us to ajust, shut up, or get out. (ok, we can also moan quietly to ourselves when pushed)!

I intend to join in and enjoy it, after half a lifetime of stress and burn-out.

 

[newtoOZ]

I don't think that just because you chose to move to a place you give up your right to complain or dislike things. I don't feel obligated to like everything in Australia just because I chose to come here to work. I don't feel that way if I move from one city to another in the US, either. And that can be quite a shock, too. Some areas aren't very welcoming, some have horrible drivers, some have ridiculous local laws. The fact that I'm new doesn't change that.

 

[Brizzie Bound]

Lazy or not

Lazy or not!! who really cares? the old saying springs to mind "if ya can't beat em join em!" and "live and let live!" is another i recall.
I've found through my travels world wide that the people who often moan about laziness and the like are usually the biggest culprits!! so stop banging on about it and get on with the finer things in life, after all it really is to short!!

Cheers me Dears Maly

 

[newtoOZ]

When you are in a store and don't get served as fast as you think you should, then they are lazy. If you take a long lunch, you are enjoying the easy Aussie lifestyle. It's only lazy when other people do it.

 

[Brizzie Bound]

confused people

don't mistake laziness for incompetence.

 

[Baby75]

I just came across this forum by mistake but decided to have a read while I was here! As soon as I read this then I just had to bloody post!

Who the hell do you pommies think you are? You come over here for a 'better' life expecting all of us aussies to be exactly the same as you - well get this - we enjoy LIFE not bloody WORK! Surely thats what you came over here for in the first place isnt it??

If you dont like it then bloody ****** off back home!

very well said im not Aussie but to me the whole point in being in Australia is the laid back view to life.
not very clever to be slagging off the country your starting your new life in were every one can see it either.

the way i see it when you move to a new country you cant expect to live the same as at home so to make it work you do as the locals do if that makes sense yea there might be things that annoy you but you get that even at home. as Tracey says on Big Brother DEAL WITH IT! JUST DEAL WITH IT
i love the idea of working to live rather than living to work life is to short for all that stress.

surfing or work i know what my choice is what yours!

 

[newtoOZ]

Well, I'm not a pom. And I didn't sacrifice my right to an opinion just because I moved to another country. But I understand your reaction because I've run into a few of what you call 'whinging poms' and didn't like them a bit. It was always that somebody, usually the government, wasn't giving them enough or doing enough for them. Some people, I think, leave a place because they have problems, and are stunned when their problems come with them.

 

[kendra]

This thread made me chuckle. Most Aussies are hard workers, but i've met some right bludgers too. I think the reason they can appear lazy is that things mostly get done without fuss, theres a tendency to not "blow your own trumpet or put on airs". Also its almost a crime to appear to take things too seriously. This may seem odd to people whose culture expects visible competitiveness and seriousness at work

 

[newtoOZ]

Yes, for an American that is a shock. I remember lunches with friends where we seemed to be competing for 'most overworked' and 'most time in the office'. I see that now, of course. Then, I participated.

I don't know how I'll adjust when I go back.

 

[Brizzie Bound]

Well, I'm not a pom. And I didn't sacrifice my right to an opinion just because I moved to another country. But I understand your reaction because I've run into a few of what you call 'whinging poms' and didn't like them a bit. It was always that somebody, usually the government, wasn't giving them enough or doing enough for them. Some people, I think, leave a place because they have problems, and are stunned when their problems come with them.

No you're not!!! your worse "a whinging Yank" you didn't give up your right to an opinion but when all you do is moan about us English and the Aussies then keep your opinions to yourself.
I could say quite a bit about yanks but choose not too!! but what I will say is that yanks are certainly not the hardest workers on the planet and believe me I've worked with a few (boring)
Us pommes are usually right anyway!! do you know of any government body in any country that keeps everybody happy? if you do then may i suggest you go there to live and take your problems with you.

 

[kendra]

The good thing about oz is that you can have any opinion you like, and say whatever you wish. But unless your complaints are offered with some humour, you will probably be thought of as a whinger. Any nationality can make errors of judgment - arent pommes french potatoes?

 

[Brizzie Bound]

The good thing about oz is that you can have any opinion you like, and say whatever you wish. But unless your complaints are offered with some humour, you will probably be thought of as a whinger. Any nationality can make errors of judgment - arent pommes french potatoes?

Half right!! pomme de terre actually and aren't they just delicious, look at the variety of things you can do with them.

Pommes (pronounced pommies)is a nickname given actually by the Germans, pomme frites is the french version

The name POME given to us by the Aussie's (and don't get me wrong here i like the Aussie's that's one reason why I'm coming to Oz) means Prisoner Of Mother England.

So there you go!! Take it as you will.

 

[newtoOZ]

do you know of any government body in any country that keeps everybody happy?

What an incredibly typical whinging pom thing to say! Thanks for providing such a perfect example. It is not the function of a government to make you happy, but to provide services. Happiness is your problem.

Perhaps the definition of a whinging pom is one who thinks it's the government's job to make him or her happy and is angry that it hasn't.

And I didn't come to make a new life here. I came for a job. And I'm on a bulletin board, anonymously. I've tried to learn a little, give some information when I can, and enjoy the interaction. I like controversial subjects, as having everyone agree with you is pretty boring. So I'm not exactly sure what you say I am whinging about.

And if that is your reaction to criticism, you really may not fair well here. No humour in there at all. My hardest adjustment has probably been what I took as rude name-calling, and am told is humour. I just don't share the same sense of humour (now I know how my Dad felt, no one in the family thought he was funny except him).

And I just spelled humor with a 'u'! Adapting at last!

 

[synthia]

Well, Australia isn't the only place where you can say what you wish, and I would find the obligation to be funny a bit onerous. I also wouldn't find a lot of it funny, either. But then British humor goes right by me, too.

 

[Brizzie Bound]

Jesus!!............not you again!!.................you really are a prat!! newtoOZ, I can think of a better name for you if you like?
Touched a nerve have I or are you always like that?

Stop quoting peoples comments you might find that it'll back-fire on you one day!!
Stop being a knob!! critisizing every body on site.

Try and adopt a little of an English or Australian attitude!! or at least try thinking like we do and you might.......... just might have a happier life.

I hope i don't bump into this "he she" on my travels!!