I was born in Northern Ireland, am a British citizen and spent 6 years living in London.

Since coming to Oz, I'm alot less offended paying taxes. This is partly because tax rates are slightly lower here for contractors, but mostly that the money actually gets spent on something worthwhile.

I do miss the greater buzz and nightlife of London, but the place simply does not work properly. Oz is alot less stress to live in.

The Brits do live in a fantasy world regarding their own abilities and importance. Yes, Britian was once the most important country in the world. Now it's not. Get over it.

I was living there in 2000 when Steve Redgrave (who? say most non-Brits) won his fifth consecutive gold medal in coxless fours. There was endless talk about Redrave being the greatest Olympian ever. Every media outlet was claiming it. What garbage.

While a great sportsman, it's a long stretch to call him the greatest Olympian ever. For a start, his gold medals were all in the same event. The event was obscure and one that hardly anyone competes in. Those in the 100m sprint are effectively battling everyone in the world. Who has really ever even tried the coxless four.? Also, Redgrave won each medal as a member of a team, not as an individual.

It's not even true to say that he has won golds at the largest number of Olympics. That honour goes to the Hungarian Gerevich Aladár.

There are many Olympians whose achievements eclipse Redgraves. Off the top of my head I'd say Carl Lewis, Jesse Owens and maybe even our own Ian Thorpe.

This is only one of endless examples of Brits exaggerating their own abilities and acheivements. Britian was once great, now it's just average.

...and I thought us Poms were wellknown for whingeing! How wrong can I be?

I've worked with a lot of Aussie contractors and they've generally been far more sociable than us Brits, though they all complain about the weather here. Well, that's all part of the British charm, along with a crumbling health service, poor public transport and rotten dentistry.

So why do so many Aussies come here and stay? We must be doing something right.

Hey Nada

Didn't you used to work for a big American energy co? I lived in Britain for 5 years and loved it. Although I'm glad to be away from that weather. It's charming, but only for so long.

All the Brits in Oz have been giving us whinging lessons. Many of us have also been to the whinging Mecca itself for first class lessons from the masters.

I think Darrens article accurately describes what the Scots, Irish and Welsh think of the English already. Please use Britain more considerately in the future Darren.

I "lived" in England - mostly Nth London - from 95 - mid 97.

What was GOOD about it?

1) At that time, contracting rates at least 3 times higher than Aus. Even with the exhorbitant cost of 'living' that still left a decent amount for travel and bringing home.

2) England is close to places that are GREAT - Scotland, France, Spain, Italy, etc.

3) Having an EC passport I don't have to worry about visas and work permits, etc.

4) Hmmm ... no, sorry, that's it for 'what's GOOD'.

What's BAD about England - and its inhabitants?

There is not enough space on all the computers in the world to list everything.

A few major items:-

The English have no intention of recognising that they actually live in that large community known as 'the world'. After centuries of living so close to Europe - where food is sacred - the Poms still manage to destroy any and all food within their shores.

After centuries of being invaded and conquered by various nationalities - and even 'adopting' peoples from the countries they have invaded - there is still no cultural mixing within England.

Poms simply can't get over the fact that they are no longer a "force to be reconned with" on the world stage - but that would require recognising 'the world' exists.

Poms seem to love to wallow in their own self pity. In Birmingham on the day of celebrating the 50th aniversarry of VE day I was told - by the man charged with lifting the city's profile/image - that it woudl be difficult because "Birmingham was badly bombed during the war". Hiroshima was pretty badly bombed at that time. They got over it and moved on - some considerable time ago!!

Basically Poms are just miserable 'grey' bastards who love to wallow in their miserable 'grey' lives in their miserable 'grey' country. It's what they know and do best.

Would I go back there?

Most definately!!

Just to take their money and be able to get to Europe and Scotland easily.

If you don't like it then leave.

I've travelled through australia. Please visit ANY aboriginal settlement anywhere in Australia and then re-read this article.

A very perceptive piece. As a pommy who has lived in OZ and now returned to the dark and cold land I must say that I agree with all points of the article.

Although I do look forward to reading what Brits find annoying about OZ. The thing that annoys me is getting on public transport and being told all the things you can't do...no eating fish, chips, chocolate, ice cream etc, no drinking, no smoking, no swearing, police will be called if you do any of the above, uniformed and un-uniformed police petrol this train etc etc etc beats poems on the underground...

Spot on to large extent. Ive lived most of my life in Sydney but was born in London and have spent 5 years working in the UK between 1994 and 1999. For most of the time people there pitied my backward life in Australia not realising or heaven forbid accepting that here in Oz we have a quality of life and standard or services most Poms would die for. Thye seemed to think Sydney was like Birmingham circa 1956. The most recent UN survey placed OZ second in the world for quality of life and Sydney 4th in the city league. I loved living in Britain and its a great country and my birthplace afterall. TV there is vastly superior to Australia as are supermarkets and pubs. But for general day to day living and quality of life there aint no comparison - Oz wins by a country mile. Here in Oz I find better health care, housing, cleanliness, hygiene, food, environment, education, and attitudes. As for the Aboriginal problems here the government invests a fortune in social engineering but it's not that easy to solve. I know because I work in that area. UK readers may wish to remember which colonial power created the original problem. Anyway i hate sounding so competitive and there are things which annoy me about Oz as well. No where is perfect but its a pretty good balance here.

I've been here in England for 10 Months, contracting, and yes I've meet some lovely people (Most of whom live North of Watford), seen great sights and drunk some of the best beer in the world, but I've found England to be one of the most backward countries I've seen. Coupled with it’s terrible banking systems (internet banking is a joke), poor work ethic, a "buggered" public transport system/health system, the worst customer service I've ever experienced, a non-existent recycling program and a population who loves to litter; If you have any disabilities God help you, because England is a country of staircases; they are JUST trialing PIN’s (you have to sign for everything.., gee I wonder why fraud is so bad), thinking about banning smoking in eateries and 2 ½ years after 9/11 are just[/] deciding to implement Air Marshals on Flights. I'm pretty sure England has the world fooled; and they think AUST is behind; English are so smug. England loves it history SO much…that they can’t get passed it and move to improve everything (and it's alot) that’s inefficient.

Australia moves ahead with the times, and is constantly attempting to improve things and values business and customers and are always keen to do business and make money.

So why am I here? To see the sights, learn some history and take home the Money (mind you, even that's not that great anymore). I’m now even more proud to be Australian then before, what a great country we have and I can't wait to get back home…

P.S. Immigration, please don't let Germaine Greer back into Oz, she's soldout Australia.

Most of these comments do unfortunately have some element of truth to them.

My opinion as an ex pat Brit is the problem with the UK is the Press!!! it has been commented on, but the Press are just destroying our Nation! Is it the Public who say Redgrave is the best Olympian, No it's the Press They have a lot to answer for, but it would appear to no-one.

So if the Brits have one failing it's keeping these rags in business by buying them

As for Aussies, same as every other nation, mostly great guys some Assholes,

I'm a saffer(south african)- came to the UK in '97, there certainly is an element of truth in some of what this article says.

One of the big problems these days I think is the UK nanny state mentality, the people expect the government to do everything for them, and take no responsibility for themselves, anything goes wrong in peoples lives they blame the government.

The government respond to this by being very intrusive into peoples lives, rules regulations and red tape coming out of the woodwork...this is going to be unsustainable in the long run.

The Uk govenment want to intergrate the UK more closely with Europe, yet want things all it's own way-dring the petrol boycotts of 2000, Robin Cook remarked that the Brits shouldn't behave like the French! and this from a minister in a party so very pro-Europe!

Also Brits abroad have gotta learn some manners, just watch how they carry on in Amsterdam and prague!

The ozzies are a funny bunch, I will guarantee you that if you ever hear an Ozzie harping on about how bad the UK is and how great and superior Australia is he will NOT be a TRUE Australian..........yes an Aborigine. Yes morons that’s right because believe it or not ( and this will no doubt shock many of you ) unless you are an Aborigine your ancestors actually came from somewhere else.......PROBABLY ENGLAND ON A CONVICT SHIP !

Yes your heritage lies in the overspill from Newgate and every other prison from the start of the 19th century. The human crap that we deemed so bad that it needed to be sent 12,000 miles away.

They all moan about the weather in the UK but many places in Australia get just as wet and just as cold. They come to England to do the menial jobs like bar work etc 'cus most of them spent their youth surfing, skateboarding or drinking ( or all three ) instead of going to school and are as thick as $hit.

They think aussie rules football is far superior to proper football, which must account for the fact that they're the only twats who play it and most premiership players earn more money while sitting on the toilet than NFL players earn in a lifetime.

I could go on all day........banks that charge you to get at your own money, zero culture (unless you count drinking and surfing), beer that tastes and has the strength of piss (christ they even use the word piss as slang for a beer............and STILL drink it), cuisine that consists of that well know delicacy.........the meat pie, girls that are among the biggest slappers on the planet.........but are too scared to go topless on the beach, TV that has ad breaks every 5 minutes (yes to anyone who hasn't been there you would think I was exaggerating but I timed it) and usually with the same ad repeated over and over, and when the program does appear it is some lame third rate US $hitcom, stamp duty on cars, fee's, permits and licences for just about everything you could imagine (you even need a permit to do DIY on your own friggin house), speed cameras

everywhere which leads to everyone driving like it's a state funeral, NO MARMITE ( I mean the real marmite not the pale imitation sold there and certainly not Vegemite which tastes like Bovril with jizz added, creatures of every possible type and most of them deadly etc, etc, etc

Gods country my Bollocks !

Give it back to rightful owners and send them all to some radioactive atoll somewhere in the Pacific so they can whine to themselves................and as for all you poms now living there, Britain is better off without you.

Johnny Five you would have to be the most stupidest person in the world.

For starters I am not an aboriginal but I am Aussie. Are you stupid enough to think England has existed since the dawn of time? Your ancesters came from somewhere else mate, are you not English? And may I remind you that my ancesters are yours? You really think the criminals that came here left no family, children wives or sibling behind? They didn't deport the whole family and the criminals weren't left here alone they didn't build this country and begin this commonwealth, they were still criminals.Your ancesters stole the country!

And you can have your little opinion on our beer and pies (mind you which are NOT considered a delicacy we have FRESH seafood) and vegemite, ever heard of individual tastes, of course you wouldn't like it you whinging pom. We are one of the biggest beer producers in the world, actually the largest per capita, we know what we're doing.

And how many places are as cold as England? the only places I know of that reach below zero (celsius, we use the metric system, move with the times..) are some towns in Tasmania (The island state thats close to antartica...) and some place in or near the mountains, are average temperatures for winter are 15 and in Summer 30, in England those averages are 21 in Summer and 6 in winter... get your facts straight.

I don't know how much you think AFL (Australian football league players) get paid but it is nowhere near the amount soccer players get, for a less skilled, active and dangerous game!

and as for complaining about speed camera's, whats wrong with you? you like to kill people on the road? I hope you get hit by a speeding truck that could have braked in time if it was going the speed limit.

And Gods country? where did you get that from? most australians religion is sport. Yopu know that thing we are SO much better at than this English.

So get over yourself you pathetic little b*****d enjoy your cold weather sh*t sport and crappy warm beer, while I will sit on the beach (with nice white sand) go to the skilled game that is Aussie Rules drink the best beer in the world (which mind you aussies do not think is fosters!) eat great seafood have plenty of bbq's eat pies and vegemite toast. and enjoy the culture that is australian.

You know the culture we have here that involves bending over backwards for your mate, and thats anyone who needs help. (Australia donated more money per person than any other country to the tsunami victims) because thats what we do, we have a laugh at ourselves and others, were always laughing at you brits, we dont worry, we dont stress, there always a way to solve things, "She'll be apples mate." and we'll continue to be the friendliest people in the world! (just not to you) Because we're aussie and thats our way!

Children children! For goodness sake calm down! There are many both great and very annoying things about Britain and Australia, lets not get personal and abusive! I have come to Sydney from Wales and have been here 6 months. Sydney is great, wonderful weather, beaches, friendly people etc. BUT, I miss my home country enormously also. Can I just say that Welsh people arent poms, we are not English, we are welsh. I am constantly being called a pom, in a derogatory way, which is one of the annoying things about Australia!

Having lived in both couuntries, i will give you in a nutshell what i dislike about both and the solution.

Australia- a genontocracy with xenophobic tendencies.

Britain- money obcessed football hooligans.

The solution: Send all the pig-s**t ignorant people who call women slappers to one country and all the enlightened and intelligent people to another. Then we'll all be happy.

Its funny hearing a small percentage of aussies critising the english and generally WHINGING about it. Most of you seem to judge Britain on London and don't even bother going to Wales, Scotland the Lake District and Cornwall. I think if you went out of London you'd realise that we British are a friendly bunch who actually joke about our bad weather rather than whinge. I wouldn't exactly say many of the towns on the east coast are worth a visit if you take away the beaches.

I can't believe proud true blue aussie can even critise english food our grubs top and a lot better the grub that i had in Aus. Also you better check what football is in Australia cos i think its what you guys used to call Soccer (like america). Your obviously and angry person by the sounds of things and not at all like a chilled out aussie you claim to be. Go on mate gives us a smile!

Down under is best! You said the Australia has moved with the times unlike england,so why like America have you refused to sign the Kyoto agreement and still driving in 4 and 5 litre cars when there's no need to. Yeah your weathers great so why don't more people use solar energy and take advantage of it.

Both countries have there faults. The advantage you guys have is that you don't live under each others noses cos your countries so vast. Some of you have a real chip on your shoulder about the english and i think its time you got over it and stopped throwing your toys out of the pram. Move on and stop making judgemental backwards remarks.

Hope you enjoyed the Rugby World Cup x x x

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Piss off

You sound just like the Brits you've just moaned about. People like you make britain look ***. Ur talking outta ur **** mate.

Stop Moaning and do somthing about it!

xxx

Your **** at rugby and your **** a cricket, oh yeah and your the second fatest nation in the world. Get in! you aussies must be proud of yourself! xx

I get tired of listening to Australians telling us ‘poms’ that we no longer have any influence or clout in the world. So what?

Australians should bear in mind that the UK is an area of land less than twice the size of Tasmania. Despite this, Britain’s contribution to science, politics, philosophy, sport - in fact most areas of human achievement - is immense. Even if we were to achieve absolutely nothing EVER again in the future, the people of this small country in north-west Europe would still be able to hold its head up high as the true successor to the Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilisations. The next time an Australian thinks about how superior his country (adopted of otherwise) is to the mother country, he should ask himself the following: what language do I speak?, who invented my favourite sports? which country played an instrumental part in shaping the legal and parliamentary frame work that I take for granted? The answer may surprise him.

But the disdain with which I hold hubristic, whinging Aussies is nothing compared for the contempt I have for those Brits who leave this country because they couldn’t make it here and then spend the rest of their life running their homeland down. Their witterings and bleatings are pathetic.

They tell us the weather here is lousy. Yes it rains here - it’s what makes the countryside here green and pleasant as opposed to brown and dusty. They tell us there’s no space to move here - and then choose to live in outposts like Perth where if you want to go anywhere half decent you have to spend five hours on a plane. They tell us the UK press here gets them down - and then choose to live in Rupert Murdoch’s home country. They tell us the parochial nature of most Brits was the reason for moving - and then spend the rest of their waking lives being tormented by Aussies for the shortcomings of ‘their’ national sport teams. They tell us the food here is lousy - and then choose to live in the land of vegemite, kangaroo steaks and Fosters Lager.

As others have said, the removal of these people from the UK is essential for the sanity of remaining Brits. These people are almost universally the sad, boring, pathetic individuals who spend their entire lives in this country bemoaning the “declining state of Britain” instead of stopping to consider the nature of their own contribution and failings.

For these individuals, moving to an isolated part of the world where they can spend the rest of their lives getting skin cancer and eating carcinogenic barbecued food really is best for all concerned.

Hang on Englands problem is Xenophobia? Hang on is this coming from the same country that refuses to let asylum-seekers in and instead leaves them on a boat, calls Italians Wogs, and oh us English, Poms in a derogatory way. Then when you speak to an Australian all they'll winge about is trouble in local neighbourhoods caused by Asians!!

Oh yeah and regarding the Cameras do you still think its a waste of time considering all the stuff thats gone on with terrorism????!!!

I wouldn't say our Government are doing that bad to be honest, having one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe. Most Aussies just spent day and night at the local Tab pissing money up the wall...betting on the national team winning...the Rugby World Cup and oh yeah the ashes !! Better luck next time guys. We would like to play you in a competitive game of football (That the game where you only actually use your feet)but you guys never qualify for the World Cup. I suppose that is gonna be difficult though when you have arrogant money grabbing ***** like Harry Kewell in your team.

I thought i also better mention that i've not had any plumbing problems in recent years. I think you personaly have plumbing issues cos your talking out of your ring piece.

The first Aussie i met in England since coming back from travelling has to have to have been the most misserable, boring negative person i've met since. Getting a smile off her was like getting an Aussie team to beat us at team sport!!

What i'd really like to know though is do the Aussies really hate us? I always got the feeling that it was part of the national ideology to hate the English or POMS. Just think its pretty sad if you are that way inclined!

Really hoping all you Aussies and wannabe Aussie ex-Brits

are not all so bitter about Britain – and probably, specifically England.

Seems really bizarre that many Australians (and by the way it's a country I do really admire!), have such a huge chip on their shoulders when it comes to the UK, particularly when so many of you ironically have your roots here in the dim and murky past. I’m sure we’re not really that different.

Britain isn’t perfect; the majority of people who live there believe it or not know that already! We actually don’t need Aussies, or anyone else for that matter reminding us of our failings, you probably have plenty of your own to worry about. Or perhaps it really is perfect there.

As for going on about the past… actually we are over it. Most people who remember us even having an Empire are pretty much dead. Strikes me that the only people who go on about the Empire/Britain’s past etc… are people who accuse us of still thinking it matters. Actually we’re over it thanks. We’ve got the real world to get on with like everyone else. If we like to trump the occasional (sporting) successes, why the hell would you care? Seriously, when Australia succeeds at something, is the rest of the world expected to believe it doesn’t praise itself?

And Kieth K. Glad you’ve gone. You sound like a right miserable bugger. No wonder you found the Brits unpleasant to be around with the attitude you have. Why would we want to contend with that? You’re probably the type of Aussie who comes here with an Ego the size of Ayres Rock, accusing us all of being snobs, whilst at time sneering at us and informing us of your superiority.

PS Yes it’s cold and dark – mainly in the winter. We have seasons here and it’s a perfectly normal, natural event. It gets dark at 10pm in the summer and isn’t actually too bad at all, good ole global warming.

I don’t have a problem with Brits who live abroad or those who criticise this country - I’ve done both of those things myself. What I do have a problem with is people who have a chip on their shoulder about the UK because they failed or are failing here.

Britain isn’t perfect. 60 million people living in a relatively small country is always going to produce its fair share of problems. However, there are also many great world-class, things about this country and with a bit of open mindedness and non-chippyness, these can be enjoyed to the full. I guarantee that a functioning brain, an appreciation for history and culture and a love of the outdoors will lead to a happy and successful life in this country.

Below is my selection of things to celebrate about Britain:

World class countryside:

Take one 800 mile-long strip of land, add in a dozen national parks (that’s in an area less than half the size of France), 14 areas of outstanding natural beauty 12,000km of coastline (that’s more than half as much as the USA - the difference being that nowhere in Great Britain is further than 71 miles from the coast), 300 offshore islands, dramatic upland and moorland scenery, villages with views, pubs and steak and kidney pies to die for, and you’ve got a thousand ideas for weekends, minibreaks and holidays. Just why did you spend all your holidays abroad when you could have purchased a couple of showerproof jackets and eaten safely and hygenically here?

World class wattering holes:

Some people think of the British pub is an institution of uniform sameness. It isn’t. Despite the advancement of the chains trying to ram homgenous pastiche lager and atmosphere down out gullets, the British pub continues to live on. Whether its a traditional seafarers pub in Brixham or Newlyn, a town pub in Manchester or Leeds, a cider pub in Herefordshire or Somerset - or just your locally run boozer down the end of your street, you can’t beat the laidback local where you can sit on your own stool with a packet of peanuts and a pint of something wholesome.

(Mostly) agreeable weather

Criticism of the British weather has been ridiculously overdone. It rains here, let’s get that over with. In some places in the west and north of the country, it rains a lot. But in most parts of England (where the bulk of the population of the UK live), rainfall totals are perfectly bearable at between 600mm to 850mm a year. Summers here are pleasant with daytime temperatures reguarly in the 20’c+ range (often quoted ‘mean temps’ include nightime temperatures - and who the hell wants to try and sleep in 20’c+ heat?). With long days, agreeable temperatures and no chance of hurricanes or tropical storms, English summers deserve a better reputation. Winters can be lousy, agreed, but the truly horrible days are rarer than people think and even the worst snow or rain storms would be laughed at in places where heavy snow and storms are an annual and regular occurance. Besides, who can resist a fireside chat, a snooze and a glass of whisky?

Choice at the dining table:

Believe me, there’s plenty of unimaginitively served meat, overcooked vegetables, turkey twizzlers and soggy chips served up in this country. Food in a lot of British restaurants is overpriced, bland and very often appalling. But there is another side. Our traditional and new farmhouse cheeses are amongst the best in the world. Our fruit - apples, strawberries, plums and berries are great and our traditional pies, roasts and meals nothing to be ashamed of at all. Our regional specialities, from clotted cream teas and pasties through to Welsh rarebit, Lancashire Hotpot, Scottish smoked haddock and kippers, Yorkshire puddings, black puddings through to farmhouse sausages compete with the best regional food anywhere. Our (sweet)puddings are top too and even French chefs will admit that.

Then there’s our curries (hands up, who’s had five good curries in Europe or Australasia?), excellent Chinese and Thai food (particuarly in our big cities) and food from every part of the world in London.

Add in our drinks: cask ales, farmhouse ciders, malt whiskeys, gins and fruit juices and the cliche of rotten British cuisine is revealed to tell only part of the story.

London

You either love it or hate it. Millions of visitors every year clearly love it. One of the top four ‘alpha cities’ in the world, and nothing more needs to be said. Other countries would love a city with London’s history, diversity, magnitude and importance.

Our media

I’m not talking about the gutter press. Or Rupert Murdoch’s influence. What I’m talking about is the Today Programme, the BBC in general and the many excellent writers and journalists who write for our more cerebral newpapers. Criticise what you like about parts of our media (and I’m sure I’ll agree with much of it), but anyone who’s lived abroad soon comes to realise that Britain has far from cornered the market in crappy newspapers. And if you’ve lived in Europe, America or Australasia, the sometimes laughably poor coverage of current and international affairs will come as a shock to those reared on a more intelligent diet of television and radio coverage in the UK.

Our past

Why should we be ashamed of it? That’s not to deny that British leaders and people have done some dasterdly things in their time - they most certainly have. But our contribution to language, politics, philosophy, history, sport, science is truly immense. You can’t walk in this country for bumping into streets named after the thousands of British luminaries - but too many fail to appreciate the fact that every day they walk in the footsteps of greatness.

4:55pm on a Saturday:

Despite a certain sattellite network doing its level best to destroy the tradtional 3:00pm kickoff, hundreds of thousands, be they Premiership, football league, non-league or Scottish football fans pile out of football grounds at this time. ‘Picking up a pinkun’ on the way home or tuning into Radio 5 Live’s Sports Report in the car or on the train is one of lifes reassuring pleasures. You might be able to hear that little military gingle at 5:00pm on the internet, or tune into BBC or Sky abroad, but it’ll never be the same over there.

World class historical towns and cities:

There might be better preserved historical towns and cities in Europe, but not in Australasia or North America. Boston or the east-coast of America has some nice twee, ‘historical’ areas, but most of this ‘history’ is themed or 200 year-old at best. Never understood the attraction of Bath, Edinburgh or York? Ask the millions of foreign tourists who come thousands of miles to see them.

Fish and chips by the seaside

You might be albe to pick up a pale imitation of this delicious meal abroad, but nothing beats the British seaside chippy - especially one in Devon or Cornwall where the fish is caught locally. People moan about the British weather and its cuisine, but walking along the seafront at 10:30pm in June when its still daylight and munching on a deep fried battered fish is unbeatable in my experience.

The NHS

Expats may laugh at this, pointing smugly to their health insurance policies and the shiny new hospital down the road. But tryexplaining your theories about the NHS to one of the 50 million Americans, for example, without health cover or to the poor sod who goes abroad for a two week holiday and comes home with a wacking great hospital bill. There are problems with the NHS for sure, but the existance and presence of healthcare free at the point of delivery would come as a shock to billions of people all over the world.

This posting is not aimed at Darren’s post, rather some of the subsequent postings.

Going through all comments on the article, I found all very interesting, some a bit harsh, but all discussing in a way the subject from a different perspective.

Myself, I am Italian, I should not take part in the discussion but then I thought it would have been good to write here an impartial review of the two countries.

Grown up in Italy and educated there according to classic Italian tradition, I know what culture means and how it feels to live in a place founded on the skulls of your ancestors and having everyday your feet on a piece of amazing history.

I lived in both Australia and UK, now in the UK but heading off to Oz again soon.

(After having obtained the much-sought PR visa, I am actually going to settle in Oz).

UK and Oz are both great countries. To decide which one is the best is up to personal expectations from life and preferred lifestyle. None of them is perfect, but perfection is not a human dimension.

So just a few notes:

SYSTEM

In terms of general system, Oz is sort of spin-off of UK but with the sun always switched on. (And great surf always up…). Welfare system is definitely better than in the UK.

(I am not going to discuss the systems in detail, but, for sure, they are widely better functioning than that Italian….)

CULTURE

There is no point in keeping saying that UK has given an outstanding contribution to humanity compared to Australia, as Oz is just a newly born country (especially the west side) and was simply happily populated by aborigines when philosophy, and scientific, cultural and historical revolutions were going on in Europe.

At the moment, Australia still have quite a small amount of population and not as much money invested into research or ars artis gratia fields as in the UK. The comparison should apply to the next 100 years to have a sufficiently long time frame to evaluate a country identity.

NATURE

Nature in Australia is extreme. Extremely beautiful. With colours at the edges of the visual spectrum. With extreme contrasts (the ocean and the desert). Extreme temperatures. Nature can be very powerful and dangerous (thinking of big waves, strong currents, sharks, bushfires, floods in northern WA).

UK has very beautiful nature too. But visually located in a narrower range of colours. Fairly uniform throughout the country. With best spots in Cornwall and in Scotland. It is sort of mild nature, does not harm the man…

It depends on your soul, which nature is better matching and mirroring your self.

WEATHER

One comment only.

Outdoor life in Oz and mostly indoor life in Uk.

PEOPLE

Australians, I mean the locals who have been there since birth or early age, compared with British or Europeans, do lack cultural sensibility, as the environment is not stimulating them in that sense. But they have a deep respect for nature and the way the interact with it. They are more ‘simple’ compared to the ‘overstructured brains’ coming from older societies, but that is because their life is relatively more simple than in other places (perfect weather, low crime, beach next door)…and there is no way to waste the great time they can have outdoor speculating about life or reflecting on human emotions.

Brits are widely influenced by a number of things happening to them and daily difficulties (country open to everyone who qualify for a job, need to earn enough thousands pounds to pay up huge mortgages, try to make every day a happy day despite the unfriendly clouds often hiding the sun).

A more difficult life widens the sensibility spectrum of the soul and increases the ability to understand different events. Brits do not have xenophobia at all, as everyone is in the UK and chances to make it are the same for all.

MEDIA

BBC is the best TV in the world. And I missed it so much while in Australia. The Economist is the best newspaper in the world. There are no equivalents of Brit media in Oz.

BIG CITY LIFE

Big cities are almost all the same everywhere. London is not much different from NY or Sydney.

If you like to live in a very crowdie place, but with loads of things going on and culture, then go for London. But if you would prefer big place with 5-star surf nearby, then go for Sydney.

FOOD

From an Italian point of view, I found the food better in Oz. Fresh seafood, fresh nuts everywhere.

But, as I said it is up to personal tastes and eating habits. Meat in the UK is not always safe…Fishes from the North sea are not exactly the healthiest on the planet….

Last note.

It depends on your soul, which country is better matching and mirroring your self.

And….we live only once…

Good comments Michelangelo, and nice to hear a neutral voice. You capture the relative moods between the UK and Australia well.

However, although I’d agree with most of your comments, I would take issue with a couple of your points:

1) Meat unsafe in the UK? I presume we’re talking about BSE and e-coli here. Sure, we’ve had food safety problems here, some serious ones. But meat in this country (particularly lamb, rare-breed beef and pork and free range poultry) is as good, if not better, than you’ll find anywhere else in the world.

In brief, we’ve had safety scares, sure, but to say “meat is not always safe” implies a level of risk that does not exist.

Most fish in the UK is fished in the North Atlantic. The only fish caught in any real quantity in the North Sea is deep sea fish - and these fishing grounds have been overfished almost to extinction anyway.

2) Sydney is not in New York or London’s league culturally, intellectually or economically. It does, however, have some great food, world-class beaches and some excellent scenery nearby.

It is indeed impossible to surf in London but don’t write off the UK as a surf destination. I’ve surfed in Australia (West Oz and Gold Coast) but would take the Outer Hebrides or Ireland every time. Sure, a steamer is required year round, but to surf alone with only seals for company (no sharks) in consistent and heavy conditions, for me, is every bit as good as any experience in Oz. Plus, there’s nobody to pinch the stuff out of your car in the Outer Hebrides!

3) I do disagree with your weather comment. As an Italian you’re no doubt used to warmer and more settled conditions that the UK has to offer. But as an Englishman, I dislike partaking in strenuous outdoor exercise in temperatures above the low twenties. I’m a keen hiker, climber and kayaker. I also like football (soccer). These activities are unenjoyable in temperatures above 20’c in my opinion.

4) I also note your comment about xenophobia. I agree that, in general, most British people are tolerant and accepting of other cultures. But there are bigots here and they do exist. That said, there is no equivalent of a Pauline Hanson figure here in the UK.

I am a British Citizen and long time expat, living in Sydney. All the things mentioned above are the reasons why I packed up and left and now live in the beautiful country, that is Australia!

Don't get me wrong, the UK is a unique and beautiful country, but there are elements which niggle at me!

You forgot to mention the bad reality tv and the country's obsession with shopping for no reason- oh yes, and the weather!

It is indeed.

I work in English Nature at Peterborough and was born in Australia. My entire department often goes to the pub for lunch and a few pints. Quite often we don't bother going back to work afterwards. That's where your tax dollars are going. They're a bunch of Lazy drunks and i'm here for the ride.

This might seem a ittle off the point of slagging off the poms but i think you need to be able to keep sight of your problems.

The UK is expensive i agree, when i moved to australia i found everything was as cheap as bag of enbglish chips. but i dont think it has ever been fair to poorly judge the service and benefits that an english citizen gets.

The australian service, say in eletronics shops, is by my experience far worse. you have low trading standards and the fact that you always find a happy looking salesmen makes it easier to believe taht you're not actually gettin ripped off.

Land of the lazy? what do you expect in a democracy? people have the right to do what they want, even the right to be lazy, so you're bound to find a few examples of a corrupt workforce somewhere down the line. but i urge you true australians to realise taht you're just jealous that you dont actually live in a democracy and you're just a nazi country without the racism

ok well im south african ive lived in australia most of my life and ive been to england as well lets just say the more advanced the country obviously the prices will be higher. i mean if you take australia compared to south africa.

australia is the biggest rip job in the world i mean if you wanna bye a shirt in lets say myer it will cost a minimum of 40 dollars and take the south african version of myer most probably 25 dollars so obviously england is going to be more expensive than australia.

You paying more be ENGLAND is MORE advanced than australia its a fact i mean if expect to pay the same amount you got to be smoking something. the wage is better in england and in turn the service will be a higher standard.

and the only problem is that you'll be paying a bit more who cares really!!

This is more aimed at that scottish guy. im not a typical english anti-social chav ass hole. i know there are alot of god aweful people in the UK but, i know that it is a result of a global pulling back of school disciplin, not the way the rest of the country works.

I actually found that because there is absoblutely no change in politics when it comes to scotland, n. ireland and wales taht thos countries are exactly the same. the only way you can tell the diference between a welsh man, a scottish man, and an english man is if you lissen to their accents. i love wales, and scotland even more but i harldy expect taht you can just turn round and think taht you're in anyway different and the fact that you occasionally do is just messed up.

90% of australia's land is unusable... BUT you still have more land than the UK has to waste and you do truly waste it... all i can say is ive made up my mind now... im going home and i aint ever coming back!!!

We're all from the same stock, seperated by 200 years of geographic isolation, which is the blink of an eye in the course of history.

People that want a change come down here aren't well described as "expat pom's" They're just the newest Kiwi's & Aussies and appreciate the opportunity to change things for better.

From downunder we go to the UK and find backward attitudes and poor service in general imposed by incumbent institutions - our ancestors left that for a new start, leaving the rest of the "middle class" i.e. normal people, to fight it out against the oppression of the aristocracy (your banks take the piss so badly I don't know whether to laugh or cry) and the mongrel-dog attitudes of the poeple now known as Chavs.

Its no surprise the English whine, there's alot to whine about.

Down Southside we have all the opportunities in the world to buck dumb trends and change how things are done, we can do it quickly and although often things get taken too far, the best social experiments filter through to the rest of the world.

eg:

First country to give women the vote - New Zealand

First legislated labour unions - New Zealand

First native-colonial peace treaty - New Zealand

Enough collective sense to say no to Bush's war - New Zealand

The World owes us more than it knows.

Place with sod all to do in the evenings ?

New Zealand !

Ive just read all the comments and OH MY GOD PEOPLE get a grip! Maybe theres enough going on in this world than a bunch of people moaning about 2 countires. Next time just think how lucky you are to visit or live in 2 beautiful countries.

Note: england does not = great britain/Uk

Ask an average Englishman what he feels about Oz and New Zealand, and he/she won't really care. Why on earth should we? All the previous history is exactly that - history. To me the people who keep going on and on about English this and that should take the chip off their shoulders and grow up. If you think all English people are so rubbish, then so be it, remember most English people don't care.

England is great. i lived in Cheltenham and Brixton, London. I loved the time I spent over there. The people are friendly the social scene at the pub is great. British people have a great sense of humor and have the best comedy shows on TV.

And now the Ashes is on now and I love it.

Vom

Melbourne

Australia

No stereotyping on this article honest!

Seriously though although some of the point are partialy valid, sounds to me like a bitter ex-pat wanting to show off about living in his dream world.

Fair enough mate you enjoy your new life in Oz, I know plenty of people that live in Oz and love it but why rant about Britain when you have nothing to do with it anymore.

And Australians calling English Xenophobic ! LOL that really did make me laugh. I think you missunderstand the Brittish sense of Humour. We don't hate the French/Germans we are normally very nice to them but that doesn't mean we can't take the pi$$. Anyone that has been to the UK recently and especially London will know that we have people from all over the world living here..... of which quite a few are ..... yep Ozzies and you know what we get on well but we still take the Pi$$ out of eachother.

I can't believe some of the complete crap I have read from the Aussies on here, I have lived in Australia for 30 odd years but this country is a very long way from perfect and I am sure these drongos live in a world of their own.

I have lived and worked in England for a few years and loved it, the weather was OK, only really bad mid winter and your drivers are about 300% better than ours LOL.

This discuss is hilarious i mean the thing about all the rules on transport is hilarious do u guys acctually follow this rule coz i eat wenever im hungry and my bus driver doesnt careless!

and i love aus because its laid back and everythin.

wen i went to the uk they were complainin about drought it was greener ythan green and im like you r so not in a drought look at all that water. but their great the brits and i love thier accents esspecially the scottish one yummy Brainbox homepage

Has anyone ever considered that maybe this 'debate' is all about PRIDE for the countries we're from? Of course Australians think they're better at cricket than the Poms and vice versa. Duh. So thats the end of that :)

We can all stop arguing about which country is better, because both Australia and England have their faults, just the same as both have upsides. Australia has some great things to offer (I won't bother repeating them), as does England. Maybe it can be summed up something like Lifestyle vs. Culture. You decide.

But, when it all comes down to it, people move to England because they got a new job. People come to Australia because they want a better lifestyle and better weather.

THE END.

PS. Stop complaining about the TV in Australia. Us Aussies already know that. If you have to spend that much time in front of the TV, GET CABLE.

I am British myself lived here all my life although I find it pritty annoying that people keep bringing up how we seem to think we are still have the Empire, We dont act like that most Brit's will bring it up to try and wind Ozzy's up when we loose at sport however very few people were around during the Empire, I dont view Ozzy's as foreign no more than Scot's or Welsh same with Irish European American's and English Canadian's at the end of the day if help was needed we would all be there (and america would jump in when it is financial viable :D)

I am proud to be British but the Empire is over it's now time for us to be proud to be European.

I'm English but have family in Australia and have been there for extended holidays on two occasions. Too many of the posts on this page paint overly simplistic and stereotypical pictures of Oz and the UK. The truth is that the majority of Brits don't see themselves as 'Empire', in fact the general ignorance of our history is disturbing. Britain certainly does have racial issues, just as any western country (US, France, Germany all have problems too), but is in fact far more integrated than the post above states.

On my visits to Australia I was disturbed by the racism present in mainstream society. One guy on daytime TV was particularly outspoken and offensive - just like the worst of the UK tabloids, but at least no one gets away with this stuff on national TV. The treatment of aborigines is nothing short of disturbing - speaking to many Aussies reveals that they are often regarded as, at best drunks, and at worst sub-human. It's like the white society in Oz can't come to terms that people had already lived there for 50,000 years before the Dutch and British 'discovered' Oz. There's also a difficulty with the growing Asian population in Australia, despite the fact geographically it's obviously more Asian than western.

Don't get me wrong, I love Australia and there are many great things about it and the lifestyle down under, but I have to point out that Australia has no less problems with racism and integration than the UK. And in many ways, Australia's problems are less 'out in the open'. At least we in the UK discuss these issues continually.

oh no! the bloody moany aussies at it again. Taught to hate from birth, yikes.

Come down the pub in England with me and my mates, we'll get you drunk, share some laughs, we're not so different, we'll get your aussie ways out of you :)

peace

England (GB)has an interesting history but where is it going in the Future?