On Tue, 02 May 2006 11:12:05 +0000, georgiagal
Um, well I don't claim to be a lawyer or even know all that much about law.
Having lived decades in both countries, though, my advice is that Australia is a whole lot more tolerant than the USA, on many issues.
Offhand, I don't remember which group I've mentioned it on, and quicker to explain than to look it up.
In the US, a sign means exactly what it says. If in a public park, and a sign says "Keep off the grbutt" it means exactly that, and you can be warned or even arrested if you step off the footpath.
Is there a minimum wage in AustraliaOn Wed, 10 May 2006 17:18:53 +0000, Glenat According to a quick look at Google, minim wage here around $A13 an hour, which sounds about right. ------------------------------------------ Gap between rich and poor...
If a sign in a park says "Alcohol consumption prohibited", they mean that too.
In Australia, the signs are more of an "advisory" nature. A public park may have a sign reading "No alcohol consumption allowed".
However, this doesn't mean you can't go into the park and have a few beers with your lunch. It doesn't even mean that you cannot go into the park, sit with your back resting on a tree, and eat a Sandwich and drink a 750 ml of cheap wine, and fall asleep for a few hours.
What it does mean is that if you get drunk and start hbuttling people, then a "park ranger" or "council ranger" can chase you out or call a cop to have you arrested.
Sydney has a large harbour and many ferry wharves, large and small. Most have a large sign that says "Fishing from this wharf strictly prohibited."
Walk down to any wharf, and see fishermen in the shade of the sign. Does anyone bother them? Not usually. Basically what it there for is that if some fisherman catches his line in the prop of a ferry boat and is pulled into it, the state is not responsible. :-)
Parks have signs saying all dogs must be on a leash. If it is an attack dog, yes. If it is a puppy lying at your feet, probably not.
"No ball playing in the park"? A couple of your kids playing catch, no one worries. A major baseball game, perhaps, if someone complains.
So get the idea?
In the USA, everything is much more "absolute". Here, things are much more easygoing.
Of course, realize that this relates to population density. In the UK, parks are probably crowded, more people to complain. Less so in the US, with fewer people per square mile. Here, you may be the only family in a park.
In the USA, if a female goes topless on a beach she will probably be arrested for indecent exposure. Here, in NSW anyway, all beaches are public up to the high tide mark. All are optionally topless. Some are completely nude.
As an American-Australian, can butture you Poms that Australia will be a completely new experience for you.
Regards,
Well, hard to advise on something like this, of course. However, plenty of Aussies on same.
Personally, I wouldn't try to conceal anything. Provide info, bring meds, copies of prescriptions, etc and I don't think you will have any problems.
Realise, of course, if you don't admit something, it is probably easily checkable anyway, so I wouldn't advise lying about anything in a medical exam.
As pointed out in an earlier post, a friend in the states wanting to migrate tried to cover up a minor drink driving conviction. Easily checked, so lying on the application resulted in an absolute turndown, probably permanent. Certainly was in his case as now deceased.
My advice is to be strictly honest on anything to do with immigration to another country. If you try to cover up a minor sin, you will probably be suspected of a much more major one.
Cheers,
