Is Australia truly the greatest country on earth?

[deluxe_]

Currently in US spending a bit over a week here. This would be my 3rd or 4th visit to this vast country with great size and having traveled numerous states such as California, Nevada, New York and now Indianapolis.

I've come to realize how different this country is compared to Australia. I mean, there's no cohesion with the surroundings, the infrastructure is old and on the verge of collapse, every state is a copy of each others image and there's no ambiance in any of the cities, the country is taken over by the fast food industry which is one of major contributing factors of Americans being fat. When I first came to this country to visit, I had an image of America where it's roads were paved of gold and it's rivers were streaming of diamonds, every rock in the country had some great level of worth... now, that image has been replaced of negative thoughts, a country that's in dire need of a revamp otherwise bad days will be ahead.

I'll spending a bit more over a week here but there's nothing in this world that would make me swap my masonry veneer home in Victoria to anything of this world.

[Giant Cranium]

try living here, this country is so backwards and lacking technology its not even funny.

the quality of life that people have here is shocking, I was working with a team of blokes that couldn't believe that I left a country with 4 weeks leave, 2 weeks rdo, Medicare, sick pay, super and workers comp. I asked the boys if they wanted to grab a feed but all declined stating it would have to wait for payday because all of them couldn't afford a $10 quick feed.
mind you these are tradesmen not unskilled workers.
out of 5 only 1 had left America and that was to fight in Vietnam, the rest said with 1 week leave its to hard to travel 4 states away.

the states perception of Australia is hilarious; they think we are some small backwards country that is stuck in the 70's.

for all Australia’s faults which mainly come down to the size of the country with only 24million people and being a bit to worried to offend anyone it is an awesome country filled with friendly people and I can't wait to come home.

[Venomous1]

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

try living here, this country is so backwards and lacking technology its not even funny.

the quality of life that people have here is shocking, I was working with a team of blokes that couldn't believe that I left a country with 4 weeks leave, 2 weeks rdo, Medicare, sick pay, super and workers comp. I asked the boys if they wanted to grab a feed but all declined stating it would have to wait for payday because all of them couldn't afford a $10 quick feed.
mind you these are tradesmen not unskilled workers.
out of 5 only 1 had left America and that was to fight in Vietnam, the rest said with 1 week leave its to hard to travel 4 states away.

the states perception of Australia is hilarious; they think we are some small backwards country that is stuck in the 70's.

for all Australia’s faults which mainly come down to the size of the country with only 24million people and being a bit to worried to offend anyone it is an awesome country filled with friendly people and I can't wait to come home.

Bolded Best Part! True

[Ford_The_Win]

I've never been to the US but work with a few American ex-pats and in their words, America is "so over"

[[THOMMO]]

from the 3 trips Ive had over there I wouldnt give up my lifestyle here to live in the US. Its so nice here.

I have to say americans are nicer though, if you jump in a lift there people will say hi and talk to you and even more when they hear you're from australia. back here you'd be lucky to have someone hold the door for you let alone spark up a conversation

[Blue Shadow]

Go to any country in the world and when you get back to Aus, you will have the feeling "It's so good to be home".

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by [THOMMO]

from the 3 trips Ive had over there I wouldnt give up my lifestyle here to live in the US. Its so nice here.

I have to say americans are nicer though, if you jump in a lift there people will say hi and talk to you and even more when they hear you're from australia. back here you'd be lucky to have someone hold the door for you let alone spark up a conversation

i hear this a lot about how friendly they are, to me they are no more and no less than any other country i have ever been to.

when you are there you are a tourist, dealing with people who cater to tourists, of course they care where you come from and ask about it. the bloke in the lift in sydney could not care less that you are from australia, same thing for every american that has traveled to australia, they all comment how nice the people are and how they are friendlier are, yet I've met many ****** in australia, to some i would have been a ***** to them!

the bloke i deal with at the kitchen supply wholesaler does not care that I'm australian, he only cares about those green notes in my wallet, the bloke who pushes in line at the bodega wouldn't know I'm a foreigner but the uws of nyc is not a tourist haven like times square.

australia is know worldwide as the lifestyle country

[Moby Vic]

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

i hear this a lot about how friendly they are, to me they are no more and no less than any other country i have ever been to.

New York City isn't exactly known for friendliness. Have you traveled around the US much?

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

New York City isn't exactly known for friendliness. Have you traveled around the US much?

Yeh I've been to 31 of the states. Still stand by the as friendly as anywhere else I've ever been.

With New York you just have to avoid anyone who is corporate as they don't have time for you. Then avoid anyone looking for money and the rest are friendly and genuine.

[Blue Shadow]

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

Yeh I've been to 31 of the states. Still stand by the as friendly as anywhere else I've ever been.

With New York you just have to avoid anyone who is corporate as they don't have time for you. Then avoid anyone looking for money and the rest are friendly and genuine.

Considering half of the NY's work corporations and all of them are looking for money whis left.
I lived there for 4 years and hated it

[sprintman1]

Originally Posted by [THOMMO]

from the 3 trips Ive had over there I wouldnt give up my lifestyle here to live in the US. Its so nice here.

I have to say americans are nicer though, if you jump in a lift there people will say hi and talk to you and even more when they hear you're from australia. back here you'd be lucky to have someone hold the door for you let alone spark up a conversation

Not all of Australia is the same on that front, it varies hugely from place to place with Sydney being the worst.

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by [THOMMO]

from the 3 trips Ive had over there I wouldnt give up my lifestyle here to live in the US. Its so nice here.

I have to say americans are nicer though, if you jump in a lift there people will say hi and talk to you and even more when they hear you're from australia. back here you'd be lucky to have someone hold the door for you let alone spark up a conversation

From my experience Americans in general are more sociable, not necessarily nicer.
Although I saw many nice Americans on my two trips, I also saw people commenting on others conversations and actually getting into to an argument with strangers over small, trivial things.


The US is an awesome place to visit. There is so much to do and see and there is always something happening, but I would much prefer to live and work in Australia than the USA any day.

[drz250]

No, the great leader Mao Zedong crafted The People's Republic of China into the greatest country on Earth with his own two hands!

[CoupeKing]

Originally Posted by deluxe_

Currently in US spending a bit over a week here. This would be my 3rd or 4th visit

You're trying to sell your opinion yet you don't even know how many times you've been there.

[XWGT]

Hmmmm
The world is a big place.
No Australia is not the best place in the world.
But its not the worst either.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by XWGT

Hmmmm
The world is a big place.
No Australia is not the best place in the world.
But its not the worst either.

Agreed...surely its not all that simple.

I also cringe at people propping themselves up. If we are "the best" then let others say that.

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by XWGT

Hmmmm
The world is a big place.
No Australia is not the best place in the world.
But its not the worst either.

Where is? And have you lived there?

[XWGT]

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

Where is? And have you lived there?

Vietnam
Malaysia
Sabah
England
France
Belgium
Netherlands
Switzerland

Added to that my wife is English and lived in Germany for 7 years.

To summarise

Australia is a great place to live, but its not perfect. Far from it.
Its cost of living is very high compared to other first world nations.
Our tax burden is medium to high
Our health system is good but no rival for the NHS.
Our personal freedoms have been traded off for perceived security threats.
Our public transport systems are archaic and falling behind rapidly.
The urban sprawl makes infrastructure difficult to provide and many areas lack decent services.
Our educational standards are slipping.
Many live in substandard conditions and are alienated from the Australian dream
Our political system is a closed shop and shows no signs of improving

Alternatively
If you are able to work, you will enjoy a reasonable standard of living
We enjoy political stability
Freedom of movement
Limited freedom of speech
A generally peaceful existence with low threat of violence of attack.
An expensive be accessible education system.

As I said its not the greatest country on earth. But its not the worst either.

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by XWGT

Vietnam

Malaysia

Sabah

England

France

Belgium

Netherlands

Switzerland



Added to that my wife is English and lived in Germany for 7 years.



To summarise



Australia is a great place to live, but its not perfect. Far from it.

Its cost of living is very high compared to other first world nations.

Our tax burden is medium to high

Our health system is good but no rival for the NHS.

Our personal freedoms have been traded off for perceived security threats.

Our public transport systems are archaic and falling behind rapidly.

The urban sprawl makes infrastructure difficult to provide and many areas lack decent services.

Our educational standards are slipping.

Many live in substandard conditions and are alienated from the Australian dream

Our political system is a closed shop and shows no signs of improving



Alternatively

If you are able to work, you will enjoy a reasonable standard of living

We enjoy political stability

Freedom of movement

Limited freedom of speech

A generally peaceful existence with low threat of violence of attack.

An expensive be accessible education system.



As I said its not the greatest country on earth. But its not the worst either.

I think you hit the nail on the head. It's a great place as all places are if you have good family, friends, job and prospects.

It's a good topic because the people I have worked with in the states believe it is the best in the world. Some poms that I have met here hate England and some Aussies I've met hate Australia. I suppose it's all down to personal choice and what country fits with your own style.

[tranquilized]

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

I think you hit the nail on the head. It's a great place as all places are if you have good family, friends, job and prospects.

It's a good topic because the people I have worked with in the states believe it is the best in the world. Some poms that I have met here hate England and some Aussies I've met hate Australia. I suppose it's all down to personal choice and what country fits with your own style.

I agree XWGT hit the nail on the head, and you have as well - the best country in the world is a different thing for different people. There can never be a definitive, one size fits all "best country".

[kaniSS]

Originally Posted by XWGT

Vietnam
Malaysia
Sabah
England
France
Belgium
Netherlands
Switzerland

Added to that my wife is English and lived in Germany for 7 years.

To summarise

Australia is a great place to live, but its not perfect. Far from it.
Its cost of living is very high compared to other first world nations.
Our tax burden is medium to high
Our health system is good but no rival for the NHS.
Our personal freedoms have been traded off for perceived security threats.
Our public transport systems are archaic and falling behind rapidly.
The urban sprawl makes infrastructure difficult to provide and many areas lack decent services.
Our educational standards are slipping.
Many live in substandard conditions and are alienated from the Australian dream
Our political system is a closed shop and shows no signs of improving

Alternatively
If you are able to work, you will enjoy a reasonable standard of living
We enjoy political stability
Freedom of movement
Limited freedom of speech
A generally peaceful existence with low threat of violence of attack.
An expensive be accessible education system.

As I said its not the greatest country on earth. But its not the worst either.

Well said. I've done a bit of traveling and lived in other countries and there are better places to live in the world. More comfortable, more cheap, more modern, more advanced and far more friendly and run by better pollies.

We Aussies prop ourselves up here way to much and I agree, we are good, I love this country, I would fight for it in a war, but it's far from being the best. We need to get off our high horses & look around.

[sprintman1]

Originally Posted by XWGT

Vietnam
Malaysia
Sabah
England
France
Belgium
Netherlands
Switzerland

Added to that my wife is English and lived in Germany for 7 years.

To summarise

Australia is a great place to live, but its not perfect. Far from it.
Its cost of living is very high compared to other first world nations.
Our tax burden is medium to high
Our health system is good but no rival for the NHS.
Our personal freedoms have been traded off for perceived security threats.
Our public transport systems are archaic and falling behind rapidly.
The urban sprawl makes infrastructure difficult to provide and many areas lack decent services.
Our educational standards are slipping.
Many live in substandard conditions and are alienated from the Australian dream
Our political system is a closed shop and shows no signs of improving

Alternatively
If you are able to work, you will enjoy a reasonable standard of living
We enjoy political stability
Freedom of movement
Limited freedom of speech
A generally peaceful existence with low threat of violence of attack.
An expensive be accessible education system.

As I said its not the greatest country on earth. But its not the worst either.

You were doing well until the NHS bit...

[b0son]

Originally Posted by sprintman1

You were doing well until the NHS bit...

Is our system really that great?

Fine if something minor happens and you need to go to hospital. But the situation with specialists in this country is a joke, trickle-fed into the system(where are the 457's for these guys) so we have to wait months and pay thru the nose.

[SB076]

Originally Posted by XWGT

Hmmmm
The world is a big place.
No Australia is not the best place in the world.
But its not the worst either.

I would suggest Australia is the best for some people, just as other nations are best for others. Part of living on a diverse globe, with diverse climate, culture etc. its up to the individual to define what is best for them

[tranquilized]

Usually the people who confidently claim Australia to be the best country in the world are those who have never left it.

I've traveled to about 30 countries over the years and found most of them have their pro's and cons. Australia may have more going for it than many and I am grateful to be Australian, but would never claim it to be the best.

[superyob]

Wrong, wrong, wrong!!! Australia is the best country in the world. From Brislamabad to Jimboomba and all points in between. Except for Crestmead or Marsden. And maybe Inala, Woodridge and Kingston. Definitely not Logan City in general.

Ok, got it. Jimboomba is the best country in the world, except for the other end of South St. I think hooligans live there...

[Trump]

Originally Posted by superyob

Wrong, wrong, wrong!!! Australia is the best country in the world. From Brislamabad to Jimboomba and all points in between. Except for Crestmead or Marsden. And maybe Inala, Woodridge and Kingston. Definitely not Logan City in general.

Ok, got it. Jimboomba is the best country in the world, except for the other end of South St. I think hooligans live there...

Well played superyob

[Blue Shadow]

Originally Posted by superyob

Wrong, wrong, wrong!!! Australia is the best country in the world. From Brislamabad to Jimboomba and all points in between. Except for Crestmead or Marsden. And maybe Inala, Woodridge and Kingston. Definitely not Logan City in general.

Ok, got it. Jimboomba is the best country in the world, except for the other end of South St. I think hooligans live there...

Yep, but I live on the northside, gods country

[castellan]

I would say we did have a great country and good people and the same could be said for the USA or the UK and Europe that is all going down the drain, due to madness workings of Political Correctness mainly, it turns people into useless good for nothing mush.
The truth is what's now only called relative, because to that lot, right or wrong does not compute and nor does good or bad, you don't have the right to discriminate they claim.
Fact is if one does not have the ability to discriminate one must be a moron, so this a away PCness can work to rule over idiots and morons.
The lowest denominator is the standard set for all under PC socialism, no one is better than who ever, so it all points to the lowest denominator as the standard set by a very cunning degenerate big brother.

It especially annoys me when racist are accused of discrimination, the ability to discriminate is a precious facility. by judging all members of one race to be the same, the racist precisely shows himself incapable of discrimination.

When my mums father came to this country people said to him that he was a new Australian but he said no he will never be a old or new Australian and pointed out what was wrong with Australia, fact is the old bastard was not wrong at all about what he said about Australia and he travelled the whole world working with the wealthiest people and had many people working for him.

What is the greatest, as to how or what ?
The people are the future, do people have great faith in them.
Or is it just the land and climate.

[superyob]

Thank you Loud_Noises. I am one of those strange persons who loves where I live. But it is not everyone's cup of tea...