Job Discussion Forums

[AussieGus]

Fat chris I think you've got totally the wrong idea about me.

I've got nothing against immigrants per se, they're just trying to build a better life for themselves and their families (even if it is at my expense). I'm just calling it as I see it and I'm not limited by political correctness which is a hypocritical joke. What I don't like is reverse racism which makes life very difficult for many locals. Its the logical expression of extreme multiculturalism.

Chinese in Australia are incredibly diligent and are very scathing towards the work ethic of many Aussies or lack thereof. If I was an employer here I'd hire a Chinese fresh off the boat over a local any day.

This attitude, held even by Anglo Aussie employers, doesn't help me though. An Anglo Aussie prepared to work hard but never given a chance.

[AussieGus]

What I also find rather intriguing is the Chinese that are here generally don't like laowai's and can barely mask their contempt for us, in stark contrast to the Chinese in their home country. They avoid us like the plague and hate even associating with us. None of my wife's friends even have any Aussie friends and few Chinese in Australia marry locals. Interracial relationships are still rarer than you would think, even in the big cities in Australia, and are often viewed negatively (mostly by Asians). Funny about that.

Maybe that's the result of being a minority group or familiarity breeds contempt but there is a marked difference of the attitudes of Chinese here and in China. I remember being treated like a celebrity in China..............

[NoBillyNO]

[AussieGus]

Mmmmmm. Good point Billy. I'm not suggesting for a moment that all Anglo Aussies are the epitome of racial tolerance but I always thought we're a pretty accepting and inclusive lot. Aussies often really feel for the underdog and are usually only to happy to embrace recent migrants regardless of where they're from. They're sometimes less than willing to embrace us, however.

First generation ABC's (Australian born Chinese) generally speak with broad accents and like beer and cricket. I feel for them as they're sometimes told 'how well they speak English', despite being born here.

[Javelin of Radiance]

Sometimes I look at multiculturalism as a failed experiment. Too many groups encouraged to maintain their old identity in a new land is bound to create divisions. Even years or decades after immigrating a fair number still have stronger ties to their country of birth than they do to their adopted homeland.

[AussieGus]

Exactly but what's the alternative?

Australia has a ghastly history of oppression and assimilation towards the aboriginies and a 'white Australia policy' which disallowed any non caucasion immigration until 1972.

We're obviously trying to distance ourselves from that by going to the opposite extreme but its not working out too well.

[Javelin of Radiance]

[AussieGus]

Actually its a subject that I find as an intriguing as I do disconcerting. Anyone care to explain to me the dynamics of it?

Why do Chinese in China have laowai's up on such a pedestal, want to be friends and even marry us, lavish adulation and special treatment on us that we don't deserve, yet when established and comfortable in our western countries want nothing to do with us? Its fascinating.

Not one of my wife's friends have a single Aussie friend, let alone an Aussie spouse. The closest they get to associating with one is when they have to call out a plumber to fix a pipe and even then its under duress. She's actually lost friends for not marrying a Chinese and 'forgetting who she is'.

I don't get it. At least the Koreans and Vietnamese are consistent. They hate us both here and there.

[Javelin of Radiance]

Since most of my interaction is with people at work, other teachers, my students, my gf, and a few other friends I'll limit my comment to those contacts. They admire the freedom and independence we have. They see us working what amount to part time hours for decent money, taking two month vacations all over the world a couple of times a year, changing jobs and countries at will, and few or no family responsibilities, which is everything their lives are not. There are obviously downsides to being a foreigner in China but the local people I spend my time with don't tune into those. I don't think I get any special treatment from them though (I don't want any either). We all respect one another and just get along. Maybe foreigners were held up on a pedestal in previous years or decades but I don't think that's true any longer (they've seen what some foreigners can be like, probably wish they weren't here).

[AussieGus]

But why does that respect and admiration turn into derision and contempt once they're established in the west? Is it plain old ethnocentrism.

My wife is really an exception which is the main reason I fell in love with her. She drinks Aussie beer (though she hates it), watches cricket and AFL football (which she loves), chats to locals and does her best to fit in. Its funny and cute when she says 'No worries' and 'G'day mate' but at least she's trying.

The rest of them tend to roll their eyes when they see Aussies and you can cut the tension with a knife. Many adverts in Australia are prefaced with 'Asians only please' and no one lifts a finger.

I've heard some of my wife's Chinese acquaintances suggest that Anglo Australians don't 'deserve' to control a majestic and natural resource rich continent. English convicts that we were.

Maybe they're right.

[NoBillyNO]

[AussieGus]

Yeah your right. I can't begrudge you those 'haarroows' you deserve everyone of them.

I'm really looking forward to getting to China and being Brad Pitt again. I do look a little like him!

[NoBillyNO]

Just remember, ain't no red carpet in China....unless you on your way to a Party meeting....

[AussieGus]

It can't get much worse than struggling to find work as an ass wiper down under.

[NoBillyNO]

yeah ... I agree that job would get me Down in the Dumps....on the other hand you could introduce yourself as an amateur Proctologist