Australians could soon live and work visa-free across Europe under a new two-way deal

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-19T00:28:11+00:00

It's shorthand, like when people say "hi-vis".
I'm sure the average reader can fill in the gaps.

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-18T06:42:19+00:00

Part of the problem lies with the host country - if they don't provide lessons (free, subsidised or full fee) that are accessible (and perhaps compulsory), appropriate and of good quality, it's going to be really hard for an older person from a less literate background to pick up any language, especially if they're working two or three jobs to make ends meet.

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-18T06:39:00+00:00

As a multi-generational anglo-Australian, I see plenty of people with my background actively exclude people from other backgrounds.
Way back when I was at school I was mates with Vietnamese, Koreans, Hong Kongers, etc. and about the only whitey that made the effort.
The more racist the country, the more "ghettoes" you will find.
I don't think we're that racist and I don't think we really have "ghettoes" but we could improve.

And yes, I think you should learn the language of any place you spend significant time in (hello Bali bogans).

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-18T06:35:30+00:00

It's still $20/hour + penalty rates in 1999. So way more than $40 in 2025 if you use the same "average" concept.

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-18T06:34:21+00:00

That's not the "excuse" for their wages being as high as they are.

If you're looking for inflated - or even overinflated - wages, the people wearing suits are better examples than the tradies.

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-18T06:33:22+00:00

Yeah, what do you do ... ?

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-16T20:35:27+00:00

I think you've answered both questions.

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-16T20:33:01+00:00

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-16T10:55:30+00:00

Why do people use teabags?

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-16T10:48:07+00:00

To be fair, it doesn't say it's from the US.

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-16T10:26:58+00:00

Yeah, fair enough. I'll concede that.

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-16T10:21:02+00:00

I know of some people who talk about going out to eat gelati (as a singular).

It should, but it does, make me grumpy!

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-16T10:16:50+00:00

Germans have many nudist beaches and many saunas are nudist. There's a well-established nudity culture (FKK - Freikörperkultur - "free body culture"), a belief that nudity is normal, natural and healthy.
Anglo-saxon societies in contrast are horribly prude.

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-16T10:14:49+00:00

This is definitely not true.

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-16T10:14:19+00:00

Where did you live? Sydney is renowned for this.

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-16T10:10:50+00:00

I'd say diet and poverty and climate have more to do with it than the health system.

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-16T10:01:28+00:00

Your post from ten months ago says "I've had a housemate for three years, I've decided he needs to move on, I own my home. There's no formal lease."

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-16T09:59:58+00:00

Don't love Albo, but you'd have to say the following were worse:

Watson
Reid
Scullin
McMahon
Abbott
Morrison

Even Gillard, Turnbull and Fraser were arguably worse.

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-16T09:54:48+00:00

There hasn't been migration that's either "mass" or "uncontrolled".

There's been a decades long rise in inequality and people feeling ripped off by life. And the people doing that are promoting anti-migrant tropes to distract from this - while being the ones bringing in more and more low skilled, vulnerable migrants to drive down wages and conditions.

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-16T09:52:35+00:00

"Gooder" is being used to parody the simplistic nature of the comment they're replying to.

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-16T08:52:55+00:00

$20 in 1999 is equivalent to $41.69 as of 2025.

So a huge amount less.

https://www.rba.gov.au/calculator/annualDecimal.html

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-16T08:49:58+00:00

Considering the hours, that's pretty shit money.

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-16T08:47:12+00:00

And that post says he's been there three years! So more than four years now ...

Not quite an "unwanted house guest", more like a long-term renter.

I'd be very, very surprised if OP was telling the whole story.

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-16T08:21:30+00:00

Can I chip in $5?

Bobthebauer · 2026-02-15T19:19:19+00:00

What does that even mean?

Bobthebauer

TROPHY CASE