Every country has
its unique character from others countries, that's why some people like traveling and migrating to different places or countries in their life. Me too, the initial reason for me to come to Australia, that's its exotic charm. The Opera House is a symbol of Australia in my mind, I supposed that Australia seems to be like one of European countries, and its culture and lifestyle maybe similar to the UK. But since I've been really living here, undoubtedly there are some differences between Australia and China in many ways, but these differences are different from my first imagination about Australian.
Firstly, clothes.
Before I left for Australia the first time, my husband suggested when I was preparing to come to Australia, “Don't take many formal suits to Australia; just prepare some casual clothes. That would be ok for you.” Because at that time, he had been studying at UNSW in Sydney, and I was in China. To be honest, when I heard of it, I thought it was ridiculous! I didn't believe it at all! So I insisted on taking most of my formal dresses to Australia. But when I went out of the airport, I found that my husband was right, most people were wearing very casual clothes in Sydney, so my husband had to go to a shopping centre to buy some T shirts and other casual clothes for me that afternoon. I have to say that real Australian dressing style is totally different from what i had imagined.
Secondly, friendly and acceptable people
Because the first time I came to Australia was near to Christmas day, when I was walking on the street, some of people said to me “Mary Christmas!”. At first, I looked around and unsure the people who greeted to me, but after I met this situation several times during the Christmas holidays, and asked my husband. He told me that even though the stranger you haven't known him or her, they are willing to say hello and greeting to you. That's impossible in China, I was so glad to know that Australians are so friendly to a stranger. And also, I was so surprised about gays are so acceptable to Australian people. There is a gays' parade in Sydney every year, and thousands of common Australian people watch it and show their kindness to gays who come from all over the world. I was shocked so many gays took part in the parade when I first watched it. In China, I've been never seen that in my life before I came to Sydney, it's also impossible to happen in China. Well, I think that in some way Australia is much more open and acceptable than China.
Thirdly, attitude to children
I supposed that Australia was a children' heaven. Because of my kid was born in Australia, so that I found that Australian parents give their kids much play time and freedom, don't let their kids only concentrated on study. But in China, especially in big cities, kids who are 3 or 4 years old begin to learn many hobby courses, such as Olympic Mathematics, Piano, violin, drawing, etc…..My brother’s kid has learned piano for 5 years since she was 4 years old. It's very normal for Chinese parents take their kids to 2 or 3 courses during the weekend. I think that Chinese kids too little playing time in their childhood, it's such a pity! So in my view, Australia is a better place for a kid growing up happily and healthily.
Above mentioned, I think that some differences influence me day by day, such as, now I am enjoying wearing comfortable casual clothes anywhere, and I am willing to say hello to my neighbors even though I don’t know him or her very well, just know that we live in the same building, and also I am glad to give much play time to my kid, etc…. So the old say is correct: while in Rome, do as the Rome do.
