quote:
Originally posted by Lifetime:
I'm moving to Melbourne at the end of this month to study at Scotch College, so I thought I'd ask the wise Aussies on this board for survival tips [img]smile.gif[/img] Like the stuff they dont tell you in the brochures and school guides..
Any information, advice or comments would be welcome. I'm looking for information that should help me fit in without too much trouble, and maybe orientate myself to a new environ.
Thanks in advance!
Advice from a Melbourne dweller for 40 + years.
1. Never trust the weather forecasts.
2. Don't get into discussions about AFL football - most people take it far too seriously. Know that the quickest way to make yourself unpopular is to say that you you think it is a stupid game !!.
3. Important: Learn the strange little quirks of our public transport system. For example, most trams have - coin only - ticket machines. Don't try to evade paying for a ticket, however easy it may appear to be.
4. Melbourne is a "multicultural" city, but I prefer to call it "multi-tribal" There are several suburbs in which the occupants are mainly from one ethnic background. Eg. Springvale/Vietnam, Richmond/Greek Coburg/Italian. The *vast* majority of people are very friendly but there are some very few areas where "outsiders" are tolerated/ignored rather than welcomed.
5. Be aware that "opportunistic thieves" hang out in the Melbourne Central Business district - keep your goods and money close at hand.
6. Melbourne has some great places to eat, very cheap, and very good.
7. Watch out for agressive food snatching birds if dining outside in some locations !!
8. If you are in one of Melb's many parks after dusk, look in the trees for possums. They will accept bread and fruit by hand, but beware !! they have VERY sharp claws and teeth.
9. Don't try to speak Aussie "slang" unless you know how. Get it wrong and you will probably wind up looking very foolish ... Listen, and learn.
10. Melbourne is a great place. Welcome, and enjoy [img]graemlins/nicekitty.gif[/img]
Hope this is of interest !!
Pang.
[ 01-07-2002: Message edited by: Pangur Ban ]