Inertia and laziness in Australia???

Sorry if some of you found this topic upsetting.
Wish I had said at the beginning:"Some Australians work very hard, but some prefer the dole/pensions or whatever."
Please consider a workplace (min.$22-25 an hour, possibly manual labour) where the workers race from the bldg/factory at the end of an 8 hour day whether the job is finished or not, also avoid the 'heavy lifting' (difficult jobs)
whenever possible, work very slowly filling up the required hours in shift.
Please compare this work to the work ethos of some other countries (U.S., Japan. Germany, Singapore, and others.
 

I don't find it upsetting just generally not representative of my circle of family and friends and neighbours......maybe in yours.....perhaps you should give them a pep talk.
 
I've been to Australia twice as my husband has lots of relatives there, including brother and his family, 4 nieces, 3 cousins etc. We love it there! None of his relatives are lazy and some are very interested in politics. None are or ever have been on the dole.

We found people there laid back, friendly, funny. Planning a return trip.
 

How can you paint a whole country with a negative brush without it being prejudicial? I am so weary of hearing that a strong

work ethic is what truly defines people. Sheesh, there are many other valuable qualities also. Besides, one person's work ethic


is another person's workaholic. As for apathy, Canadians are familiar with that term. We have often been targeted as

apathetic/smug, because we prefer a calm and reasoned response to hysteria.
 
Please Australia, DON'T change ANYTHING ! I like you the way you are and am always grateful
that we're allies in the World Wars.

You're number one on my list of places to visit.
 
I have worked in factories in the US the Boss's always want more,faster,cheaper. One job i worked on was moved to Malaysia and one Mexico.
In some countries if you do not work very hard in bad conditions your family does not eat.
 
Shalimar said:
How can you paint a whole country with a negative brush without it being prejudicial? I am so weary of hearing that a strong

work ethic is what truly defines people. Sheesh, there are many other valuable qualities also. Besides, one person's work ethic


is another person's workaholic. As for apathy, Canadians are familiar with that term. We have often been targeted as

apathetic/smug, because we prefer a calm and reasoned response to hysteria.
Click to expand...

It just occurs to me that I like Canadians too. I have often said to my wife that I could be one, if I could take the longer Winters. So if I like the "apathetic" Canadians, and I like the "apathetic" Australians, maybe I'm just apathetic.
I don't consider myself so.
On the other hand, I think your work ethic comment fits. For me work was a necessary evil. I hated my job for 45 years. I deliberately avoided climbing the corporate ladder where I could, in favor of time with my family. I have never regretted my choices.
There are people who are able to support themselves in careers that allow them to pursue their passion. Fortunate for them. Fortunate for us. They are the people who provide us with outstanding services in whatever career they are in.
Despite the constant drum beat of "you can be whatever you want to be", that is simply not so. Through innate ability and good fortune, some may overcome huge obstacles and succeed. For many, if not most, the obstacles are simply insurmountable. The majority do what they have to do to provide for themselves and their families. There are others who are unable to do even that. Yes. There are people taking advantage of the system, just as there are those playing the system at the very top. I don't believe they are the majority.
 
I've worked with lots of Australians. Loved working with them, they were hard working, honest, straight forward, straight talking, also great fun and good at partying.

Don't know owt about their politics though.
 
Underock1 said:
It just occurs to me that I like Canadians too. I have often said to my wife that I could be one, if I could take the longer Winters. So if I like the "apathetic" Canadians, and I like the "apathetic" Australians, maybe I'm just apathetic.
I don't consider myself so.
On the other hand, I think your work ethic comment fits. For me work was a necessary evil. I hated my job for 45 years. I deliberately avoided climbing the corporate ladder where I could, in favor of time with my family. I have never regretted my choices.
There are people who are able to support themselves in careers that allow them to pursue their passion. Fortunate for them. Fortunate for us. They are the people who provide us with outstanding services in whatever career they are in.
Despite the constant drum beat of "you can be whatever you want to be", that is simply not so. Through innate ability and good fortune, some may overcome huge obstacles and succeed. For many, if not most, the obstacles are simply insurmountable. The majority do what they have to do to provide for themselves and their families. There are others who are unable to do even that. Yes. There are people taking advantage of the system, just as there are those playing the system at the very top. I don't believe they are the majority.
Click to expand...
I am sorry to read, Underock1, that you spent 45 years at a job you really did not enjoy.
I was one of the lucky ones, but had to travel 1000's of miles to pursue my passion.
I loved my job here in Australia where I was given the freedom to think up different programs and methodology.
We were made welcome by other migrants, and my children were even invited into their homes.
 
Moonflight said:
I've worked with lots of Australians. Loved working with them, they were hard working, honest, straight forward, straight talking, also great fun and good at partying.


Don't know owt about their politics though.
Click to expand...
Love your comment about working with Australians, Moonflight, so positive! Thank you!! :praying:
 
The Inspector said:
I have worked in factories in the US the Boss's always want more,faster,cheaper. One job i worked on was moved to Malaysia and one Mexico.
In some countries if you do not work very hard in bad conditions your family does not eat.
Click to expand...
I think (but can not quote statistics or provide details), the same has happened here in Australia. Whether this has to do with wages, low productivity, or other reasons, I am unable to say.
 
mitchezz said:
I dunno Susie.......you're the one asking all the questions but not giving any answers. Read back through your posts and you'll see why I think you don't like Australians.
Click to expand...
Sorry, mitchezz, about creating a false impression--I love this immigrant nation dearly, especially the many recent migrants; however, I should have expanded the term "Entitlements in Australia."
As much has been made of the "Disability Pension" in the Australian media recently, I am posting some statistics:
http://www.diip.com.au/disability-support-pension-key-statistics-glance
 
In the U.S. it is very clear the Companies are looking for the cheapest labour they can find.

Vietnam is under cutting China.

Susie in the US you would be a Conservative, Dislike any kind of Welfare=( money that is paid by the government in the US to people who are very poor or unemployed)
 
Susie said:
I am sorry to read, Underock1, that you spent 45 years at a job you really did not enjoy.
I was one of the lucky ones, but had to travel 1000's of miles to pursue my passion.
I loved my job here in Australia where I was given the freedom to think up different programs and methodology.
We were made welcome by other migrants, and my children were even invited into their homes.
Click to expand...

It was not so terrible Susie. Just something I had to do as opposed to something I would love to do. I'm grateful that I was able to provide for my family. Many don't have that opportunity. Thank you for empathizing though. I'm glad you found yourself such a happy situation. Enjoy.
 
Susie said:
Sorry, mitchezz, about creating a false impression--I love this immigrant nation dearly, especially the many recent migrants; however, I should have expanded the term "Entitlements in Australia."
As much has been made of the "Disability Pension" in the Australian media recently, I am posting some statistics:
http://www.diip.com.au/disability-support-pension-key-statistics-glance
Click to expand...

Statistics are just numbers Susie unless taken in context. The rapid rise in DSP recipients was significantly due to governments moving large numbers of people from the Unemployment figures to DSP often prior to an election. "See" they would boast "we've brought unemployment down". Howard and Costello were very adept at that.

Another factor for the rise in DSP figures is that society in general has recognised that depression, Anxiety etc are genuine illnesses just like physical conditions and impact on a person's ability to work.

Susie, you still haven't provided any background to your OP about Australians being too lazy to care about becoming a colony of China or USA.
 

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