rakyat australia
its been almost five months since i landed in australia, and have been here since, except for a 4-day visit to malaysia in may. that was nice. was kinda sad when i got back here, after being reminded of the great life i had in malaysia. take away the politicians, the government servants, and the "socio-political" bloggers, malaysia is a nice place. it is because a small group of us makes it so.
australia, on the other hand, is kind of odd compared to what im used to. everything here is systematic. the service culture is excellent. pople are courteous, to an extend that they sometims irritate you. a shopkeeper doesnt breathe down your neck from the moment you step into his store. everything is done by the phone. and it takes only a few minutes. a letter arrrives within a day or two to confirm the conversation that took place, and it becomes an agreement. one cannot rely on inefficiency to cover up his own shortcomings here. thats one of my many problems...
everyone is treated equal, as far as i can i see at least. the government takes it upon itself to give me money every forthnight because i cant seem to get a job due to the economic crisis, or the lack of effort to get a job. odd, especially since i havent paid any tax or contributed to the economy in any way. kinda reminds me of my political science studies 20 years ago, on the role of the government etc. the facts are sketchy, having not seen any of the models in practise for the last many many years.
people here have "no worries". they get paid every two weeks, and look at the future as only two weeks away. supermarket carts are filled to the brim twice a month, and the last few days of each forthnight are quiet. it would seem like the "locals" in every country are the same. only difference is the locals here have every reason to feel protected by their government.
malaysians who want to live here - and drive - have to sit for the on-the-road driving test. singaporeans dont have to. apparently there is an ugly rumour that driving licences can be "bought" in malaysia. i think the new straits times ran a huge story on the matter some time ago, but there is no proof so far ... as far as we are concerned, all our driving licences are legitimate. wisma putra should take the matter up with the australian government.
still its an odd country. saw a well dressed gentleman watching a group of people having coffee at a deli recently. when a group of ladies got up after finishing their drink, he went up to their table, picked up their leftover cake and coffee, and casually walked out. now what was all that about?
but what i love most is how people keep time here. there are so punctual. when an appointment is made for 4.00pm, the same appointment may expire by 4.03 if you dont turn up. people dont hang around doing nothing, they are always on the go. but the funny things, there is actually nothing to do in sleepy perth on a weekday. everyone rushes home immediately to heat their can of soup and watch a movie. they wait for weekends, when they take their boats and fishing gear out on saturday morning. and return on sunday evening.
and the weather is great ...
australia, on the other hand, is kind of odd compared to what im used to. everything here is systematic. the service culture is excellent. pople are courteous, to an extend that they sometims irritate you. a shopkeeper doesnt breathe down your neck from the moment you step into his store. everything is done by the phone. and it takes only a few minutes. a letter arrrives within a day or two to confirm the conversation that took place, and it becomes an agreement. one cannot rely on inefficiency to cover up his own shortcomings here. thats one of my many problems...
everyone is treated equal, as far as i can i see at least. the government takes it upon itself to give me money every forthnight because i cant seem to get a job due to the economic crisis, or the lack of effort to get a job. odd, especially since i havent paid any tax or contributed to the economy in any way. kinda reminds me of my political science studies 20 years ago, on the role of the government etc. the facts are sketchy, having not seen any of the models in practise for the last many many years.
people here have "no worries". they get paid every two weeks, and look at the future as only two weeks away. supermarket carts are filled to the brim twice a month, and the last few days of each forthnight are quiet. it would seem like the "locals" in every country are the same. only difference is the locals here have every reason to feel protected by their government.
malaysians who want to live here - and drive - have to sit for the on-the-road driving test. singaporeans dont have to. apparently there is an ugly rumour that driving licences can be "bought" in malaysia. i think the new straits times ran a huge story on the matter some time ago, but there is no proof so far ... as far as we are concerned, all our driving licences are legitimate. wisma putra should take the matter up with the australian government.
still its an odd country. saw a well dressed gentleman watching a group of people having coffee at a deli recently. when a group of ladies got up after finishing their drink, he went up to their table, picked up their leftover cake and coffee, and casually walked out. now what was all that about?
but what i love most is how people keep time here. there are so punctual. when an appointment is made for 4.00pm, the same appointment may expire by 4.03 if you dont turn up. people dont hang around doing nothing, they are always on the go. but the funny things, there is actually nothing to do in sleepy perth on a weekday. everyone rushes home immediately to heat their can of soup and watch a movie. they wait for weekends, when they take their boats and fishing gear out on saturday morning. and return on sunday evening.
and the weather is great ...
posted by nyx-thoughts at 12:49 PM
1 Comments:
since no one comment on your blog, i will take the honour to do so lah. general observation, some typo-errors, hahaha
Post a Comment
<< Home