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| Etiquette Differences | |
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| Topic Started: Aug 7 2007, 02:56:57 AM (1,608 Views) | |
| TerritorianTori | Aug 29 2007, 05:21:31 AM Post #61 |
It couldn't happen here
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There don't seem to be very many gift registries in existence here in Oz, let alone for occasions other than weddings. I belong to an etiquette forum and there are endless discussions about gift registries... even in the US, there is still a lot of debate over whether they are in and of themselves presumptuous. Personally, I don't mind them as long as it is with the understanding that I will be using said registry as a guide only. I resent being dictated to give a certain type of gift, and I REALLY resent receiving an invitation that is obviously nothing more than a gift request. :rolleyes: I've actually received announcements from people I barely know, where they register for all the incredibly expensive items. The best one was "Please kindly remit your gift in the form of cash to our honeymoon account"... uhhh no. I'll give you whatever gift I feel like giving you, and if you want the honeymoon of your dreams, you can save up like everyone else. (thus endeth my rant) |
 South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia Avatar by Sketch Shop Boys I don't do Facebook, sorry. | |
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| Jaffas | Aug 29 2007, 07:33:29 AM Post #62 |
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True Blue Mate
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I really do understand the reasons behind the Grad Party - I had it well explained to me in the US.. lol. I know that people are proud of their relatives getting through high school and the money is always needed in whatever you choose to do next. It was more of a shock for me, because we didn't get brought up that way here in Australia. I mean, we live in a country where it is still almost unheard of to have a college fund of any description for your children - let alone give away money for getting through school. It sucks, to be honest, and I was jealous.  I think it's cool that the US has a tradition of doing it.  But as for doing it here in Australia, I've never seen it, and my first reaction to the Grad Party would probably be how most Aussies think of it - grab for cash. Not right or wrong, just different.
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Manda from Victoria, Australia Marty from Michigan, United States Together we're in Stawell, Victoria  See what we're up to: Our Old Miners Cottage - A blog for our house | |
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| Dev | Aug 29 2007, 04:52:44 PM Post #63 |
"No day but today."
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LOL I thought it was a bit weird! I don't remember ever seeing it in Australia before. I guess our "friend" (read that as one of Nick's old high school buddies that...well...I'm not that fond of) was a bit...uhh...mislead on sending a registry card with the invitation for a housewarming.
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Devon ----------------------- "What a shame that bitter irony has no nutritional value." 
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| imafranktoo | Aug 30 2007, 04:38:39 AM Post #64 |
Little Miss Key Breaker
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Umm, here is a really off the wall questions....do Aussie (true blue, born bred) citizens have to pay for college tuition, etc. Is there a government grant or something? Why do I ask? I wonder if it isn't done (money grab party..hehe) because college is not quite the expense for Australian parents as it is for American parents. Like you said....just different. One of those "have you ever wondered?" Jennifer |
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| Jaffas | Aug 30 2007, 07:43:26 AM Post #65 |
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True Blue Mate
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It use to be free, Jennifer. Long time ago now, though. No, it's not free.
 The recent complaint is that now there are degrees that cost over $100,000 - although not too many, it was always said that it wouldn't happen, but it did.The help you get is called HECS (or, it use to be upto recently) that means that you can defer some of the fees until after you get a job earning more than a certain amount. It means that you're paying off the HECS debt for many years after you graduate. (One of my teachers at TAFE was still paying off her Geology HECS debt - boy was she bitter.. lol - I never liked Geology anyway. lol) Personally, I couldn't go down that route. TAFE doesn't get covered, you have to go to Uni. I would have loved to goto Uni, but I just couldn't afford the housing and food and travel and many books.. let alone a computer. There is Aus-Study and similar government "help" (it's like the dole, but for students, and doesn't pay rent assistance.. I looked into it this year and it wouldn't have paid the rent, let alone anything else like food) I managed to live off that when I was in TAFE, paying $80 per week rent, and not eating much at all, and even then I had to take a loan for the school fees in the second year. Ouch, I paid for that for a few years, and I only took out $2,000. lol Long winded answer - yes and no. There is a little financial help (fortnightly) and HECS is suppose to cover the school fee's.. but both feel totally inadequate when you have no other financial or family support to help you get through. It wasn't too off-the-wall of a question - I was asked "but isn't education free here in Australia" the other week by our friends here - and I had a similar rant then. lol. Apparently it's free in Malaysia - we were really surprised!! They asked if it isn't at least free upto the end of highschool, and I told him that even then, there are school fee's (although apparently optional, try telling that to parents who feel pressured to pay them like mine did.), and that it's not easy sending your kid to school when you have to pay for uniforms (my skirt cost $120 new, so I only got one), books that cost upto $80 each and all the extras like camps and classes that cost more (like photography or cookery). Well.. I can only relate my own experiences, of course. Apologies for the rant. :p
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Manda from Victoria, Australia Marty from Michigan, United States Together we're in Stawell, Victoria See what we're up to: Our Old Miners Cottage - A blog for our house | |
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| Jaffas | Aug 30 2007, 07:52:42 AM Post #66 |
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True Blue Mate
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One thing on that, Jennifer - you're right, it wasn't expensive for my Aussie parents - since they contributed nothing. lol Even now, my little 9 year old brother has no "college-fund" - just lots of expensive toys. :banghead: Can you tell this is an issue with me?? lol I'm so sorry! :rofl: (PS: Perhaps it's the hand-out mentality - "the government" will help. Bah! We've been brought-up to believe that education is cheaper than in the US, and maybe people even believe that education will be free one-day again.. The reality is that it costs similar to education in the US (although we do get some government assistance, I'll give us that).. and we have to start preparing for it in the same way as they do there.) /rant :rolleyes: |
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Manda from Victoria, Australia Marty from Michigan, United States Together we're in Stawell, Victoria See what we're up to: Our Old Miners Cottage - A blog for our house | |
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| imafranktoo | Aug 30 2007, 12:02:17 PM Post #67 |
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Little Miss Key Breaker
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Manda, No apologies for the rant. I too had heard that education was free in Australia, but never was brave enough to even ask while I was there. I agree the US and Australia are kindered spirits in how to pay for college. It sounds so similar to our system of loans being defferred until you get a job as long as you stay in college.
Don't get me started about the involuntary voluntary fees. Yes I did say "involuntary voluntary"  fees only because supposedly you are not suppose to "have to pay" them, but you certainly feel as though you should even if you can't afford them. :banghead: I actually felt guilty for not paying them. Let's not mention that the skirts, even the second hands one, were so expensive for 2 out of the three girls that they each had one skirt and 3 shirts but had to share the sweater. I felt so bad
that we just couldn't purchase what we needed. A new summer dress was $55 and a second hand one was $30 or more if it was in decent shape. That didn't even begin to cover the costs of all the books! Yikes!! :banghead: I vowed I would not complain about the the supply list the US schools (I use to scream about the $50 supply list :waah: ).Manda... :hugs: :hugs: I think we understand each other. :mrgreen: Jennifer |
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| Jaffas | Aug 30 2007, 01:08:57 PM Post #68 |
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True Blue Mate
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You made me laugh, Jennifer. ::mrgreen: Thank you. :hugs: I know that when the time comes, I'll be putting aside a bit (even if it's only a little) for college education. College funds are a great idea, even if it doesn't cover the entire expense, something is better than nothing when it comes to getting through those years and paying for essentials. I know at very least, I'll be able to provide a roof over his/her head as well. I know I'm being harsh on my parents, but I'd like to think I've learned something about parenting from them - and that's what NOT to do. :p lol |
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Manda from Victoria, Australia Marty from Michigan, United States Together we're in Stawell, Victoria See what we're up to: Our Old Miners Cottage - A blog for our house | |
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