Society & Culture Things in life you just don't understand

[Roobs321]

Hey roobs can you please expand a bit on what you mean by Sydney and Canberra having a better long term feel?

I don't necessarily agree or disagree and i actually really like canberra and sydney. Just interested in your thoughts.

Oh, just personal opinon and experience, definitly each to their own.

I've lived in all 3, and enjoyed all. Melbourne would be my 3rd favourite. I just find Melbourne tends to be more overhyped than any other city, it has a reputation as a trendy city and everything. I used to be sick half the time when I was down in Melbourne too. I've been almost permanently healthy since I left Victoria. But for weekend visits I love the place.

I just find when living in Sydney and Canberra that I have a fuller life, more things to do. That would be my best description I guess. For whatever reason, in Melbourne I felt like I got into a rut. I still love the place, I just feel that its unfairly lauded over some other Australian cities.

In saying all this, Melbourne really does have a bit of everything, you dont miss out on anything in Melbourne. All the services, good central transport, even some beaches, great entertainment, etc.

 

[peternorth]

Whoah, Badass!!!

exercising my democratic right

 

[Holy Foley!]

Since we're on the topic of voting.

1. Why do people complain that they have to choose between Gillard or Abbott? Do they not know there are, what, 6 other parties to vote for?
2. If (when) Abbott gets elected, I will not believe that out of ~23 million people, he's the best person to lead the country. Seems absurd.

 

[Quivorir]

Since we're on the topic of voting.

1. Why do people complain that they have to choose between Gillard or Abbott? Do they not know there are, what, 6 other parties to vote for?
2. If (when) Abbott gets elected, I will not believe that out of ~23 million people, he's the best person to lead the country. Seems absurd.

Because out of the 6, only 2, maybe 3 (The greens), are actually options.

 

[Holy Foley!]

Because out of the 6, only 2, maybe 3 (The greens), are actually options.

Do you mean not viable options?

 

[PurpleGreenRed]

I'm just saying, it's your choice whether you vote or not.

Compulsory submission of a ballot paper is a crucial safeguard against disenfranchisement and voter intimidation.

Wow. Never heard such a load of buzzword codswallop in one sentence. Ok..Why should I have to attend a voting station and have my name ticked off a register and "submit a ballot"?

I already feel disenfranchised by the pork barrelling cappuccino (no, I don't mean Cappucine) monkeys sitting in Parliament. They do not, in any way shape or form, represent me.

 

[Caesar]

They're not buzzwords. A voluntary voting system typically disenfranchises the socially disadvantaged, because they are more likely to be impacted by external factors preventing them from voting. A compulsory voting system negates that.

If you don't want to vote, submit a blank ballot. Stop whining about having to get up off your ass once every couple of years to walk down the street to your local scout hall.

 

[quin_stick]

Snapchat

 

[Jimmy1992]

Snapchat

n00dz. Now, you understand.

 

[neroblack]

Because out of the 6, only 2, maybe 3 (The greens), are actually options.

At least if you vote for one of the two, you know who you're voting for. The others don't decide who they'll support until after the election.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

Because out of the 6, only 2, maybe 3 (The greens), are actually options.

In what way "actually options"?
Actually likely to win seats? Well, yes, but we have preferential voting so you can actually select your choice, no matter how unlikely it is they will win and your vote is not wasted. (Wasted vote is a problem in forst past the post systems.)
Only when more people start doing that will the major parties change the way they do things, and the cosy duopoly broken.

 

[Poseidon]

Snapchat

n00dz. Now, you understand.

Reaffirming the point so you definitely understand.

 

[Big Cox 88]

Since we're on the topic of voting.

1. Why do people complain that they have to choose between Gillard or Abbott? Do they not know there are, what, 6 other parties to vote for?
2. If (when) Abbott gets elected, I will not believe that out of ~23 million people, he's the best person to lead the country. Seems absurd.

Unless you are in their electorate, you aren't voting for Abbot or Gillard. You vote for your local member, so get to know their policies and how they will affect your electorate, your home and your community. Write them letters and the one that gives you the least bullshit should get your vote, forget Abbot and Gillard they are just nominated puppets.

 

[Tigger Please!]

Funny you say that, I actually know quite a few Sydney siders who would like to move to Melbourne. I think the thing is that Melbourne romances you over a weekend. It's just one of those cities that can win you over in a short amount of time. However, for actual cities to live in long term, I actually much prefer Sydney and Australia's underrated cosmopolitan & cultural city, Canberra. I find these cities have a more genuine long-term feel to them.

Oh, just personal opinon and experience, definitly each to their own.

I've lived in all 3, and enjoyed all. Melbourne would be my 3rd favourite. I just find Melbourne tends to be more overhyped than any other city, it has a reputation as a trendy city and everything. I used to be sick half the time when I was down in Melbourne too. I've been almost permanently healthy since I left Victoria. But for weekend visits I love the place.

I just find when living in Sydney and Canberra that I have a fuller life, more things to do. That would be my best description I guess. For whatever reason, in Melbourne I felt like I got into a rut. I still love the place, I just feel that its unfairly lauded over some other Australian cities.

In saying all this, Melbourne really does have a bit of everything, you dont miss out on anything in Melbourne. All the services, good central transport, even some beaches, great entertainment, etc.

agree with everything in these posts. as much as i adore melbourne, i'm always happy to head back north after about a week and, like you, i can feel my health suffering if i stay too long. i don't know what it is about melbourne, it always makes me turn very introspective when i'm there; maybe it's the culture, the art, the vibe - i don't know. maybe it's something as simple as the weather. at any rate, it's great for a weekend away but i don't think extended periods of self-indulgent introversion are particularly healthy for my mind.
sydney, as much as she frustrates and aggravates me, seems to bring out the best in me. i have a much more active social life here and just seem to be a much more positive/energetic person. again, i can't exactly put my finger on what it is, maybe it's the more frantic lifestyle or simply the warmer weather.
i'm glad you mentioned canberra too; i used to be one of it's harshest critics but my last few visits there have been thoroughly enjoyable experiences and i could easily see myself living there.

 

[DrVanNostrand]

I'm in Melbourne for the first time at the moment, and I just don't get trams. Half of the stops are invisible to the untrained eye, and how the **** do you pay? I think I'll stay safe and keep using the Free City Loop.

 

[BotsMaster]

I'm in Melbourne for the first time at the moment, and I just don't get trams. Half of the stops are invisible to the untrained eye, and how the **** do you pay? I think I'll stay safe and keep using the Free City Loop.

Myki.

 

[Holy Foley!]

Unless you are in their electorate, you aren't voting for Abbot or Gillard. You vote for your local member, so get to know their policies and how they will affect your electorate, your home and your community. Write them letters and the one that gives you the least bullshit should get your vote, forget Abbot and Gillard they are just nominated puppets.

So, hypothetically, if 100% of voters voted for say The Sex Party, or an Independent, what happens? Surely they win, right?

 

[Big Cox 88]

So, hypothetically, if 100% of voters voted for say The Sex Party, or an Independent, what happens? Surely they win, right?

If 100% of people in an electorate vote for the sex pary, the sex party would win that seat in parliament. They would sit in parliament and represent you and the people in your electorate. It is amazing that everyone has to vote, yet not everyone understands how preferential voting works in Australia. It isn't just Abbott vs Gillard, that is why there are currently 3 independents and a few greens in parliament. If more people got to know their local Sex Party/Family First/Fisher and Shooter/Independent and thought they would do a good job, then it might eliminate the perennial Lib vs Labour election.

 

[neroblack]

If 100% of people in an electorate vote for the sex pary, the sex party would win that seat in parliament. They would sit in parliament and represent you and the people in your electorate. It is amazing that everyone has to vote, yet not everyone understands how preferential voting works in Australia. It isn't just Abbott vs Gillard, that is why there are currently 3 independents and a few greens in parliament. If more people got to know their local Sex Party/Family First/Fisher and Shooter/Independent and thought they would do a good job, then it might eliminate the perennial Lib vs Labour election.

There's a long, long way to go before Liberal v Labor is eliminated, if it's even possible. The independents are interesting, people vote them in as their best local option, but they end up supporting (in this case) the Labor Party, which enables them to form Government. If people in their local electorate don't like that choice, which they don't really have any say in, they're probably more likely to revert to a Liberal Party candidate the next time.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

I'm in Melbourne for the first time at the moment, and I just don't get trams. Half of the stops are invisible to the untrained eye, and how the **** do you pay? I think I'll stay safe and keep using the Free City Loop.

Pay? For trams?
To keep yourself legal, get a Myki, and swipe at one of the machines (about one third of) everyone else swipes at. Trams are great once you get used to them. Standing in the middle of the road waiting for a tram can be a bit daunting at first. You need to get used to them to get the best out of Melbourne though.

 

[Tulip]

Melbourne weather is what gets you sick. I find I stay healthiest in the peak of either season, because the weather isn't switching from hot to cold every few hours. It can't just be me who dreads Spring.

 

[Roobs321]

agree with everything in these posts. as much as i adore melbourne, i'm always happy to head back north after about a week and, like you, i can feel my health suffering if i stay too long. i don't know what it is about melbourne, it always makes me turn very introspective when i'm there; maybe it's the culture, the art, the vibe - i don't know. maybe it's something as simple as the weather. at any rate, it's great for a weekend away but i don't think extended periods of self-indulgent introversion are particularly healthy for my mind.
sydney, as much as she frustrates and aggravates me, seems to bring out the best in me. i have a much more active social life here and just seem to be a much more positive/energetic person. again, i can't exactly put my finger on what it is, maybe it's the more frantic lifestyle or simply the warmer weather.
i'm glad you mentioned canberra too; i used to be one of it's harshest critics but my last few visits there have been thoroughly enjoyable experiences and i could easily see myself living there.

I want to settle down in Canberra. It's the first place in Australia I've actually fallen in love with, and isnt some random secluded town where decent jobs are hard to come by.

I also have relatives in Sydney, a brother at Wollongong Uni, and parents down near Nowra, 3 hours in every direction. I personally see Canberra-Sydney-Shoalhaven as a triangle, and 3 hours is really an ideal distance away. Easy to visit occasionally, but not too close.

 

[Illinois Nazi]

Pay? For trams?
To keep yourself legal, get a Myki, and swipe at one of the machines (about one third of) everyone else swipes at. Trams are great once you get used to them. Standing in the middle of the road waiting for a tram can be a bit daunting at first. You need to get used to them to get the best out of Melbourne though.

What if you're only in Melbourne for a week and only want to catch a tram once?

 

[neroblack]

What if you're only in Melbourne for a week and only want to catch a tram once?

This is why Myki is rubbish. Well, there are other reasons, but this is one. Best to go into a 7-Eleven and buy one.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

What if you're only in Melbourne for a week and only want to catch a tram once?

Then, as I understand it, you are screwed.