#austraya

[life-is-soup-i-am-fork1]

reindeer? pfffft. here Down Under, we got kangaroos pulling our sleighs.

[awesomelifechoices]

Australia sounds wild. At work I usually say sir or ma’am to the much older members. But the ones that are plain mean to us I’ll say sir and ma’am but more of a “I’m only being nice to you because I don’t want to get fired and I want you to know this, you bitch.”

I have no idea how I missed this ask. But yes, Australia doesn’t really do sir or ma’am at work, unless (presumably) in the military and probably some places in the government. I’m sure I’m generalising and there are some workplaces where they use Sirs and Ma’ams. But for the most part, we all go by first name. I can be talking to my manager’s manager’s manager and it would be on a first name basis. If I went “Sir”, he would probably be somewhat surprised.

We don’t use Mister/Miss/Mrs at work either. The other day, someone forwarded an email trail where they had emailed our CEO (it was a big deal, we’re not that chummy that we can just email our CEOs for fun), and it started with “Hi Mark!”

I am amused that you use Sirs and Ma’ams where you are but it could be a term of respect or an insult. Intonation makes such a huge difference. 

[saturnseobie]

oh shit haha not to be mean but good riddance

also are you a year 9??? and a uk kid??

I’m not gonna tell her so 👀

Year 9, yes. UK kid, no.

[alexsummerwest]

Visiting the girlfriend's hometown!!

[straightinthebin]

Bookshelf in Berlin sums up the international perspective on Australasia.

[inspiar]

#Throwback Mum and Robs Back Yard in GC "I've Always Been Driven By Vision, A Mans Plan Without Prayer, is Like a Road Without Direction or Destination. I Never Made Moves Without a Sense of Peace in My Heart & Soul. Touching Lives. " At The End of The Day it's Never Been About Me But It's Always Been About Reaching out To Others Beyond My Physical Being. 💯💯💯💯💯💯 #UnitedWeStandForAotearoa 🌹#Austraya #Vision #Visionary #SparkTheHumanminds #Inspiring #Inspiar #INSPIAR2INSPIRE #Australia (at On The Beach - Palm Beach)

[sianfaberartist-blog]

I know it's wrong on so many levels, but I can't stop loving these shell mosaics. The Swiss chalet winter scene in the middle really does it for me. Australian kitsch ... nobody does it better. Tasmania probably happy not to be involved in this.Thank you @sdc_art for feeding my addiction!! 😜 #shellart #cantlookaway #austraya #why? #idontknow #leaveshellsonthebeach #tasmania #art? #artwork #kitsch #crafty (at Pott's Point, Sydney)

[bo-sin-limite]

66. Language teacher

It appears being a foreigner with a time-limited work permit, having spent the last 2 years travelling is not the best pitch for a new job.  

I have to find something that differentiates me. What can I do that all the Australians can’t? Ah, languages! Yes I will teach languages. I place 2 ads on Australia’s biggest exchange website “Gumtree” offering 1-on-1s for German and Spanish.  

A friend tells me I should target high schools. And indeed: There is a fancy private school next to my house, they offer German and Spanish, exams are coming up -  Heureka! A goldmine awaits! When I enter the school reception to put up my flyers I am refused. "If we let anyone just come in here and advertise!?! And we don't even know you, we haven't even seen your certificate for working with children ($AU 150)!! I have never before been so openly accused of being a child molester. Being treated with such contempt, I find it hard to conceal my surprise.  

Instead I promote my new business by hanging little ad papers everywhere: In the wealthy neighborhoods, in the business district, in the library. Responses are slim, but do happen. Soon I ring the doorbell and my first student, a friendly South-African lawyer of opens the door. I am nervous when I go in, but then soon I realize that I like teaching, and I am pretty good at German. It's fun. My teaching style is a bit drill instructor, but effective. And it's great money: $AU 40 an hour (some teachers charge twice that). Wow!  

It's just the students are so unpredictable: One week they are so motivated, they want to spend every afternoon with you. But then soon this motivation fades and with the stress of their everyday lives, they don't have time for any. Your job may end abruptly and suddenly they don't even answer your messages. They flush the toilet and you go down the drain...it's not personal, get over it.