Having been here a while now, I just wondered how others have found the mix of UK friends (made from Adbrits) versus Oz friends (made from other means).

What I mean by this is that some of the people we have met from this site seem very hung up on how much money we bought with us, how big our house is, how new our car is, what make it is, etc etc very very materialistic in thought and behaviour!! Resorting to backstabbing remarks about those that dont appear to have the required standards/items/size of house/etc etc etc.

Compared to the Aussie friends we have met from other means than this site, they dont seem to be like that at all, in my opinion take you at face value, dont comment on what you have or havent got more importantly (unless it is a cold beer in your fridge) couldnt give a dam if your car is an old banger or brand new off the forecourt!!

I have to say we didnt experience this sort of attitude in the UK and suppose here are slightly amazed by it, but then thought maybe it is the competitiveness of people from the UK to always be bettering themselves where as in Oz, they dont have this sort of view on life and concentrate more on enjoying life rather than bitching like the brits!!

Sure this thread will open a whole new can of worms, but wondered what others views are on the matter...................

the whole of the uk is materialistic at the moment, its all about spending money, everything you do cost's. you can buy a pair of trainers but someone will comment that they bought a set of X trainers, for X more. just the way the country has gone.

Hi K K ,
the whole new car, 'show home' house, designer labels stuff is one of the many reasons we want to leave the uk, all of our friends are desperate to have the lastest gadgets , decor, clothes and cars and some of them are near breakdown over the fact that they don't own their own house, we have always stared in disbelief at these people and have always been the take us as you find us , we have nothing to prove kind of folk!! :D ( and bloody proud of it) i have frequently been snubbed by mum's at the playground when they find out where i live and that we rent !!( their loss not mine) and i have been to many a kids party where all the parents do is brag how much the whole thing has cost them !! we will be sooooo glad to get away from the 'buy to prove how much money you earn' society so beware any one out there who wants to talk money and know us because we are loaded .... don't waste your time or mine !! :lol:

weez

It's not us that are the competative/materialistic,..It's the bl00dy Jone's next door..!!!!! :D


Corker

It is just like that here, but has changed a little recently.
Lots of people around our way want to show they have all the nice things, but like to boast about how little they paid for it. And then look down their noses at anyone who was stupid enough to pay more.
I must admit to having a bit of a boast myself when I bought my wedding dress for £30 :bouncy: earlier this year. LOL, but £30!!!

One person I know went into a big department store in Manchester the other month, pregnant to buy a pram. Their other half is a painter and had his work clothes on. When they asked about one of the prams the assistant looked down her nose at them and said 'why are you even looking at this one, you won't be able to afford it'. Nice. She was very upset and walked out. I know what i would have done.

I am looking fowards to getting to Oz and getting at least a little bit away from all this, being totaly unmaterialistic. Well apart from wanting my own home, but I did rent for about 5 years, and got fed up with crappy landlords, which is why I would rather avoid them. At least if something breaks in MY house, I can get it fixed. :)

You dont have to worry here allot of people go to major shopping centers in there dressing gown and slippers and there PJ's .

I live in a nice house and we drive round in a banger .I like my toys yeah . But everyone is different and spends there money on different things .What other people have got does not bother me .Although i would like a swimming pool with pink lights . :rolleyes:

Dean

We have noticed this a lot since moving here - the amount of migrants that just want to know how much money you have so they can tell you how much they bought (like I care :rolleyes: ), how they bought the best this and the best that and everything you do they must do one better :D

Then again we know others that don't care what you have, how much you earn, or what make your TV is and they are the best ones to know - I know which type will stay my friends :P

Lisa :D

I couldn't agree more. Sometimes I think you feel the need to prove to those back in the UK that you have so much more of a better life here and for lots of people that means having more, a bigger house etc, particularly if they come and visit you. We are probably all guilty of this to some degree even without realising it or wanting to be like it!

We have definitely come across the 'keeping up with the Jones' attitude with some people here (but not all) and it is always with the English people that we know, not the Aussies.

We did experience this to a certain extent in the UK but like you say here it's all about how much money you brought with you. It then goes on to how much you are earning etc. This may well be because we come on websites like this and are perhaps more open to discussing our wages and how much things costs and more personal things because we are all in the same boat, don't have family around etc, which we wouldn't have done in the UK. (Does this make sense?)

Totally agree about the cars as well. We were told before we came that the Aussies will drive anything and don't care what it looks like. It is difficult to get into that way of thinking but I think for us, not knowing from the number plate how old a car is, helps!

WOW.
You guys have totally hit the nail on the head with regards to the way people think in the UK right now.
I am not surprised that new migrants cant leave the competative nature behind. Its such a shame though. I hate trying to 'keep up with the Jones's.' In my opinion,
this is the reason that the 60 million+ residents of the UK are in over £1 trillion of debt. It cant be that important surely.
I reckon that most of the adbriters are all striving for a better life without all of the external pressure applied in the UK. I cant vouch for that though as Im not there yet.
And as for cars, does it really metter how old it is as long as it goes???
I know people who wont drive a car if its over one year old. W****rs!!!!!!!!!!
So, Koala Kids, nice one for raising an issue that has probably generated loads of income for several migration agents!!!!!!


Jay :bouncy: :bouncy: :bouncy:

I must admit that I dreaded this attitude coming into Oz.

Goodness knows what the Aussies think of us,I'm sure it will not be good.

We've had a few brushes with this attitude - from jealousy( we've worked hard) to "my car is better than yours"

Hearing a lot of stories of overspending and not trying to get the best price.
Foolish people,perhaps they are not accustomed to having that sort of cash.
They should remember that it is from one house sale and goes through the exchange rate once.

My advice then is to be VERY selective who you befriend on this site (and other sites like this) and stick to making true Aussie friends, because I can guarantee you alot of people from this site (and others) are very materialistic!! :rolleyes:

And be careful as if you dont have the right standard of gear, you will be slagged off BIG TIME!!!!

I must admit that I dreaded this attitude coming into Oz.

Goodness knows what the Aussies think of us,I'm sure it will not be good.

We have met Aussie who have heard of this site and believe me I was embarrassed to say I subscribed when they said what they had to say about it!!! Seems they have the Brits all sorted out, and we did cringe!!! :(

Us, well we have learnt the hard way, we have everything we want, it is more than some and not as much as others BUT we are so very happy with our lot, so as far as we are concerned :sign53: to the backstabbers!!!

No wonder we only have a few very close friends here ................ rented a house for years with no hope of ever owning one, job I love but crap wages, 18 year old car, second hand furniture, no designer labels, and no money in the bank.

Priceless!



And I wouldn't have it any other way. I was fed up with the same 'look what I have' attitude in the UK over 20 years ago and it hasn't changed at all.

mmmmmmm had recent experience of this, an expat, who I recently met, came round to my house and said (about the house) 'oh its little isn't it, couldn't you afford something bigger' !!!!!!!!!!! eeekkkkkkkk I was taken back by the rudeness of the comment and by how materialistic this person is.
We didn't stay in touch, oh, and apparently I haven't got enough Aussie friends either, go figure :P

It takes allsorts............
jacqui :D

We too have met the materialistic people from here, they may be the same one's, who know's.We dont care much for them and have not stayed in touch. we like people for who they are not for what they can bring to the dinner table (although it does help as my good friends are both fab cook's).People befriended us a my hubby is a tiler and could get a cheap job, and have sinced DUMPED us as he has done the job.Not that we care as i really dont like shallow people and we are better off without them.

We have also met some brilliant people who we would not swap for anything, they may have more money or not but it's the people we love not their things.

Gary & Tracy...still renting.....small house.....kid's turning feral....who cares....

LIVIN AND LOVIN IN AUZZ....................

Welcome to Adbrits and Adelaide...........so, what size house do you have, and what car, is it new? You must get a new 4 x 4, or you wont be allowed to be in the "in crowd." :lol2:

HAHA!! Just kidding!! Who cares, apart from the few on here?

I wouldnt let it bother you, theres more to life than a barby with people you dont really get on with, and you will never see them again!

Adbrits is a good starting point for getting to Adelaide and to meet a few people to get you on the right foot once you are here, but after a few weeks you find your own way, and very rarely go on the site.

Paul.

ps. I can see that can of worms opening. :doh:

I have read this on here a number of times, but to be honest, have never seen it myself, except for rarely a few children. You don't really mean that ADULTS do that, do you??? Have lived in Adelaide for 36 years, and have never seen an adult at a shopping centre in PJ's.

Also Iron147's comment re age of cars: You can mostly tell the age of a car from the numberplate, although it is not foolproof. If you buy a car with a number-plate beginning with S, then it's quite old (not sure what the starting letter was for SA.), then they gradually get newer as the plates begin with T, U, V, W, and I think we're currently up to X. Then the following letters are also in alphabetical order, so XBD is older than XBG etc.

Now, can anyone tell me how you can put two quotes from different people into a post??? Not very clever when it comes to things like that.

Take a trip around Unley, Blackwood etc and you will encounter the same attitude.

The majority of these people are mortgaged to the hilt and enslaved to the jobs for the next ten years, yet still look down their noses at you because you might not wear the latest designer gear! IMO, it's their problem and I consider them sad as.

I'm a working class lad and I can understand people wanting nice things, that's why we all work hard. But to buy them as some form of bragging right is fairly shallow.

[QUOTE]I have read this on here a number of times, but to be honest, have never seen it myself, except for rarely a few children. You don't really mean that ADULTS do that, do you??? Have lived in Adelaide for 36 years, and have never seen an adult at a shopping center in PJ's.
[QUOTE]

True blue Aussie .Pop up to Seaford center at the weekend and have a look .It reminds me of the dude from the Big Lebowski .

This however does not mean everyone from Seaford is Lazy and scummy before we start another one of those famous Adbrits slagging matches .

That reminds me Carryon i think you still have the Dvd.


Dean

I feel extremley fortunate that I've not encountered "these brits" or maybe I have and their comments have gone over my head ( which happens ).
I've not met many people off adbrits as I made my friends from the mums at Kindy. But those who I have met have been lovely.

I guess the summing up of the aussie attitude I can agree with. Both my neighbours are aussies and are the salt of the earth.
We live the typical "neighbours" life where we feel very welcome to just pop next door for a brew or a beer and visa versa.

Judi x

Does anyone actually know what designers are in over here. No one has heard of rocha john rocha or golddigga at my work and they are all happy wearing kmart or jay jays sweat tops.

I might be a bit mushy or whatever, but isn't part of the australian culture, giving some of what you do have, to those who need it?

Thoughts?

Not sure but maybe it has something to do with the *class system*, in the UK the difference between working class and well lets say *upper* classes is sometimes quite obvious, though here in Aus there doesn't seem to be such obvious distinctions, unless you count the bogans and the rest of aus :lol:

I thought Target was a designer? No? :doh:
It is pronounced Targ.."et" as in the French way? :lol2:

No no your wrong its tarjaet..............or kmar...sounds sos much beta that way.

PMSL

Thanks for that TBA,i had a rough idea it was alphabetical in some way.

Although our car is looking older and older ( something to do with Aussie post boxes jumping out at the wife ) ie bumps and scratches ....

I reckon it's 'cause all Brits leave their cars parked out on their drives rather than putting them away in their garages! We do anyway (garage is full of other stuff!) and I'm told by aussie friends this is a very English habit!!!

It's very 'unaustralian' to boast about what you have - people are - and should be - judged on the type of people they are, not what they do or what they have or haven't got.

D
Australian from birth and choice and proud of it ;-) but nothing against those who have just chosen the nationality!

Interesting statement in a thread about snobbishness. (is that a word?)

Brits are far more materialistic than Australians, in all generations.

I went shopping with my friend [i really needed clothes] and i bought a $100 hoody only to be told by my friend... "Why buy a $100 when you can buy pretty much the same thing for $40?" and I just thought the brand.

Everything I have is named... I bought a pair of checked vans because IU wanted a pair of checked shoes but didn't want the lesser brand ones.

I think you're right :)

there seems to be a lot less "me me me"
and a bit more "us us us"

hence the large number of voluntary organisations
I know a few people who just can't get their head around it................

Oh Dear me!!! :sigh:

I have to agree with what alot of you have said. I have met people who want what everyone else in their group have, for example, everyone has a 4 wheel drive so they have to have one - oh and it has to be brand new so that it is better!!!!! someone says that they have a pool and they say they want one too but it has to be bigger!!! :blink:
I find this very childish and egocentric :sign69: these sorts of people can rarely communicate on an adult level, they are usually 2 faced and have to continuously play games to try and be as good as the next person. :rolleyes:

Have to agree !! ;)

Yeah, I am most definately the most childish and egocentric person in the world, two faced and obviously communcating at a grade 2 level.

[that was intended as a joke, not as a bitch at waht YEH! said]

Nah, I'm not at all like that, its just that so many people have been like it to me in England and I wanted all the stuff.
I have the money to do so, so I will. It doesn't make me the stereotype YEH! spoke of, its just like a weird feeling that I want whats the proper thing.
As an example, I have to buy the proper CD from the shop otherwise I feel like im downloading the wrong version and its not the proper thing, its not explainable.

Is it not a thread about materialism and competetivness??


Why interesting?

Sooo True!! Combined with the fact they rarely have any long standing friends, also I think from more recent experience they have MAJOR insecurity problems!!

I was thinking just now how strange/funny it would be if the people we (we in OH and Me) think are REALLY bad at slagging off people that dont have what "they" deem people should have was to leave a reply on this thread saying they were NOT materialistic or a complete two faced :sign53: !! Would I be able to hold back and not reply with the truth??

Well we will see!! :lol2: :lol2:

Oh Drat! part of our "dream" when we finally arrive in Aus, includes house with pool, 4x4 for hubs and sportscar with lid that comes down for me!
Does that make me materialistic or snobby?
We both currently drive old bangers. OH is a mechanic and of the opinion that a car is just a means to get from A to B. Which is of course correct and I have never worried much what I drive as long as it goes and is safe.
I dont do labels and am happy to shop for clothes in Primark/Asda etc.
The kids inherit clothes from older cousins, and in return get passed on.
I hope you look past the house/car people have 'cause we will still be normal us when we finally get to Aus. Just with a nicer car than the ones we have now.
Oh yeah and a pool :sign60:

Kezza XXX

at the end of the day.....who would be interested.............


I had thought this was an interesting thread, with some interesting observations.....however, it swiftly loses it's fascination if it's only purpose is to set up a snipe-fest............

Have to agree with andy on this one.
I have to admit i am 2 faced, like most people in the world, but im still happy in my skin.


Tracy...livin life ferral

Yes fully agree and that wasnt my point in starting this thread!! If it was my point then I would be, in my mothers words "Stooping to their level" and that wasnt my intention!!

Was just interested to observe if others felt the same as us or if we were isolated in our thoughts!!

But then thinking about it and hence my edit, I am not trying to start a snipe fest simply made the comment as before, and if I had anything further to say to some members on this site I would say it to their face and not write threads about them!!

I'm turning my other cheek as well. :loopy: :loopy: :loopy: