Signs of Affection

It is unusual for most Japanese people to show their affection for others with physical action, e.g. by giving a kiss or a hug to somebody, especially in public!

When I am introduced to some new people in Australia, in a casual situation among friends, sometimes I get a hug and kiss on the cheek from them.
It took a while for me to become used to Australian people's expression of love or friendship.

When I visit my niece in Japan , my kisses and hugs have not been welcomed, since she became a teenager.

When I look back at my childhood, I have no memory of showing or receiving physical signs of affection, even among my family. I cannot remember when was the last time I was hugged and kissed by my parents, but that is not the Japanese way.

It doesn't mean they don't love me at all.

Casual Friday

We don't have to wear a uniform at work, but everyone is expected to wear appropriate business clothing. On Fridays, we have a casual day and can wear something less formal to work.

We expected everyone to come to work in 'smart-casual' on Friday, but I was quite shocked to see some people arrive wearing home wear, that is, track suit pants and sweat shirts!

Too casual desu!

Chivalry is nor dead

I was recently offered a seat on public bus by a very old gentleman who looked over 80 years old.

I hesitated to accept his offer because it was not a long trip for me and he looked quite frail. 

I thought he needed the seat more than I did, so I said “No thank you.” 

I don't think he was happy that I turned down his gallant offer. He shouted very loudly to me,

“Have a seat here! You are the only lady without a seat on this bus!” 

Then a young man suddenly stood up and offered me his seat as well.

He said, “I'm sorry, I should have offered you my seat earlier.”

Many of the passengers were now looking at me. 

I wasn't sure what to do. 

I didn't want to be rude and remain standing, even though my destination was getting closer and closer.

I thanked them both and sat down in the young man's seat for a few minutes, until I arrived at my stop. 

After I got off the bus, I looked up  to see many of the passengers looking at me and smiling at me through the windows.

Although I was embarrassed, I was very impressed with the good manners of those two gentlemen.

Wonderful Australia!

Money for smokes?

I saw a homeless person begging near the local railway station. He had a new packet of cigarettes in the pocket of his ragged shirt. 
I wondered if I gave him some money, would he spend it on food, a new shirt... or more cigarettes?

A modern man

One of my co-workers is very proud of being a modern and supportive husband. He often tells me how he helps his wife by doing chores at home, like cleaning and washing. Even though he is quite a senior executive, he decided to display his skills by washing the coffee cups. He loaded up the dishwasher and proudly marched back to his office. 
Later, when I went to make a cup of tea, I was greeted at the kitchen door by a huge bubble tsunami.
My co-worker didn't realise that dishwashers require a special detergent, and not ordinary dish washing liquid.

Friendly Aussies

When we take a taxi In Japan, we always sit in the back seat. The rear passenger door opens automatically for us.

However, I noticed that many Australians often sit in the front seat of taxis and chat to the driver.

The first time I saw this, I was so surprised!

When I am on a plane, sometimes the Aussie passengers who sit next to me, quite often introduce themselves and extend their hands to me and like to have a chat. So friendly!

Most of the Australian passengers are very supportive when I am struggling to put my baggage in the overhead locker.

I don’t see this in Japan so much.

They have no mirror at home.

  

I sometimes see very poorly dressed, overweight women with bra straps showing, pitchy-pitchy (skin-tight) tops and figure hugging tights which reveal every unpleasant curve and bulge. 
They seem quite happy to show off the shape of their bodies, no matter how big they are.  

Spot the Aussie

Some of my friends said to me that they can always spot the Aussies at the airport, because they are the ones wearing thongs on their feet for their overseas trip. 

Even in the CBD of Melbourne, we often see a lot of ladies who wear business suites with rubber flip-flops on naked feet during cold winter.

Fully Sick

 

Young Australian people use a lot of slang. For example, 'sick' means good. Also, they are always saying 'like' all the time between words.

I am not a native English speaker. Speaking like a ventriloquist, speaking too quickly, and using slang makes it impossible for me to understand them at all. Please take it easy on me and speak clearly so I can understand what you are saying.

Like, I feel like, fully sick!

Growing population

 

A large portion of Australia's population is become more and more obese. I quite often see chubby family groups in the supermarket, who are pushing a shopping trolley filled with big bottles of soft drink, and lots of processed food which is high in calories, for example: chips, sugary cereals, chocolate biscuits, cakes, etc. 

Generally speaking, most of the overweight dogs I see, resemble their overweight owners.

③              

Free Range Dogs

 

I recently saw a neighbour taking their dog for a walk, on a leash.

Since I moved to this area, this is a sight I have rarely seen. 

Actually, I wondered if the local council had a special rule to exempt dog owners from using a leash here.

Are all the dogs in this area especially well trained?  

I don’t think so.

Dog poo

I never see dog owner's in my area scooping up their dogs’ waste.

They obviously seem to prefer to be 'Hands Free' when out walking.
The world is not your dog's toilet!
 

A Rare Sighting

 

I was impressed when I saw a neighbour wearing a helmet while riding a push bike. Australian law requires us to always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, but many people in my area choose to ignore this and like to follow their own rules instead.

 

'My Family' Stickers

I quite often see private cars with 'my family' stickers on their rear windows in Melbourne. They display their family members, pets, etc.

The other day I smiled at the stickers on the car in front of me, when I parked my car on the street.

The sticker showed a small empty space between the father and 3 boys, and I realized a hand written arrow mark was drawn there with the words 'Now recruiting' I thought this was a novel way to advertise for a new partner. 

Mother-in-law's Kiss

 

I heard this story from one of my co-workers. Her mother-in-law visited her place without notice one day, and saw a pot of leftovers on the stove. 

"My boy doesn't like such spicy food!" She said.

"Actually this is your boys favourite!" She wanted to reply, but swallowed her words instead. 

Her story reminded me of an old saying: There is nothing as cold as a mother-in-law's kiss.  

 

Portable Pollution

 

One of my colleagues complained to me about the terrible air pollution he endured during his recent overseas business trip. I thought to myself 'You are obviously unaware of the the smoke on your breath, your clothes and your hair that I have to endure.

Hanoi in Melbourne

The wealthier people in the Melbourne's east tend to look down on those of us living in the western suburbs, or “beyond the river”.

Why?

For the last 4 years I have been living in the western suburbs, but I like many of the features of this location, especially the downtown ambience. I suppose every bird thinks it's own nest is beautiful.

Fresh foods and vegetables are reasonably priced and there are many good Vietnamese and Indian restaurants, etc. It is also close to work – only 15 min by car...Yay!

The cultural diversity here is very different from the east side, “beyond the river”.

Here, nobody is shocked if they see somebody wearing pyjamas at the supermarket. 

I think they accept individuality. People don’t put on airs here.

There are many Vietnamese grocery shops near the railway station.

I was quite shocked soon after I moved in here, to find that a lot of the shop staff cannot speak English. Eventually I started to become familiar with their friendly service and smiling faces.

Now, grocery shopping in my town is one of the most enjoyable weekend activities for me.

I sometimes feel that I am in Hanoi or Saigon, although I have never been to Vietnam.

I am very lucky because I can go overseas on foot, without needing a passport.