4 ms·

Having lived and worked abroad in Australia, I’d say that it’s expensive but you also get your money’s worth. The country is pretty much all beautiful beaches.

by gerad 4y ago

Having lived and worked abroad in Australia, I’d say that it’s expensive but you also get your money’s worth. The country is pretty much all beautiful beaches. People are friendly, but in my experience they were distant. It took a long time to make friends with folks (who weren’t other expats). Maybe because the houses are smaller so folks don’t invite one another over, or because of the kinda pervasive (?) social club scene where people go instead of bars or restaurants, but I found it tough to engage with folks outside of work while I was there. It’s kinda a shame, since I’d love to go back there - if I could figure that bit out! Especially in contrast to Germany where I also lived and worked abroad and people were very open and inviting (and also friendly).

robocat 4y ago
> but in my experience [Australians] were distant New Zealander here - I'll state one opinion although it is controversial and maybe totally irrelevant to you personally. Plenty of Americans are socially unaware of the cultural differences between New Zealanders and Americans, because the differences are not so blatantly obvious like in many other countries. I've result is that NZers stereotype Americans, and there is some negative bigotry towards Americans in general. The default is a negative sentiment towards most Americans, so becoming friends is an uphill battle. We generally won't correct your social faux pas++: you need to have the skills to read social cues and fit in. Your mental bullying government isn't helping all you'ze either. The American tourists I saw in Mexico were some of the most obnoxious wankers I have ever seen (although exceeded by epically rude Russian tourists in Sri Lanka, and even they are exceeded by some other countries' citizens). I generally like the Americans I randomly met in the USA weirdly enough. Not sure what I could recommend. Perhaps some serious self deprecation would help (à la British humour). Maybe find one person who will give honest feedback when you screw it up. Some places are not as friendly as others. Go to Wellington if you are working in NZ - it is far more international and welcoming to people from different strokes. Great place! Anyways, could have been anything, not just our typical anti-American sentiment. We are generally still welcoming compared with many countries. What I said above is likely similar in Australia.

by gerad 4y ago

robocat 4y ago

> but in my experience [Australians] were distant New Zealander here - I'll state one opinion although it is controversial and maybe totally irrelevant to you personally. Plenty of Americans are socially unaware of the cultural differences between New Zealanders and Americans, because the differences are not so blatantly obvious like in many other countries. I've result is that NZers stereotype Americans, and there is some negative bigotry towards Americans in general. The default is a negative sentiment towards most Americans, so becoming friends is an uphill battle. We generally won't correct your social faux pas++: you need to have the skills to read social cues and fit in. Your mental bullying government isn't helping all you'ze either. The American tourists I saw in Mexico were some of the most obnoxious wankers I have ever seen (although exceeded by epically rude Russian tourists in Sri Lanka, and even they are exceeded by some other countries' citizens). I generally like the Americans I randomly met in the USA weirdly enough. Not sure what I could recommend. Perhaps some serious self deprecation would help (à la British humour). Maybe find one person who will give honest feedback when you screw it up. Some places are not as friendly as others. Go to Wellington if you are working in NZ - it is far more international and welcoming to people from different strokes. Great place! Anyways, could have been anything, not just our typical anti-American sentiment. We are generally still welcoming compared with many countries. What I said above is likely similar in Australia.