A Year Ago.....Today!
H and I arrived in Australia as residents!
We are now halfway to becoming Australian citizens (assuming we don't get caught up in the new legislation that's been doing the rounds since we've been here).
Back in February last year I wrote this. Given that a year is a significant milestone I should probably get round to reviewing it at some point.
In the meantime, I have two questions that you might be able to help me with. I have been unable to answer them during my time here. Any takers anyone?
1) Why do surfers run to the beach?
2) Why do people on boats wave at each other yet people on buses, cars, motorbikes and trains don't?
We are now halfway to becoming Australian citizens (assuming we don't get caught up in the new legislation that's been doing the rounds since we've been here).
Back in February last year I wrote this. Given that a year is a significant milestone I should probably get round to reviewing it at some point.
In the meantime, I have two questions that you might be able to help me with. I have been unable to answer them during my time here. Any takers anyone?
1) Why do surfers run to the beach?
2) Why do people on boats wave at each other yet people on buses, cars, motorbikes and trains don't?
posted by Jonny @ 7:40 PM
14 Comments:
At 2/5/07 9:18 PM,
Anonymous said…
Congrats on the anniversary. Surely surfers don't really run to the beach, unless they're on 'home and away'?
Mini drivers beep each other, by the way. They probably would wave but it's dangerous when driving. You should know that, as an ex mini driver?
At 3/5/07 6:19 AM,
Jonny said…
It's true - they really do run to the beach with their boards. I think it's an excitement thing. Surfing and being in the water is good fun. I do it sometimes without even thinking about it. Maybe I just answered my own question! The thing is, I don't run to the beach when I am going for a swim and that's also good fun. Strange!
And yeah, I knew Mini drivers beeped at each other. But I do wonder why people on boats wave at each other. Do these people also wave at other people when on other modes of transport? Wierd!
At 3/5/07 7:20 AM,
RJL said…
People on bikes wave at each other as well. Although, I only wave to other "real" cyclists...as in, I would never say hello to someone on a mountain bike...it's just the rules.
At 3/5/07 8:17 AM,
Anonymous said…
When I used to take the loons out in the car, they waved at people all the time....
At 3/5/07 8:47 AM,
Anonymous said…
i am informed by my motorbike riding friends that there are strict rules of etiquette concerning nodding to one another -if you have a lesser bike and you arrive at the lights opposite someone higher in the evolutionary bike ladder then you (ie a bigger CC bike) must wait for them to nod at you - only then may you nod back (ahhh the english class system is echoed in even the most minor of situations!) - anyway congratulations on your year anniversary!!!!! Kim xxxx
At 4/5/07 2:19 AM,
Jonny said…
Thanks Rich, Em (that was funny!) and Kim. I didn't know there was a bike etiquette - I just wonder what Rich would do if he came up to the lights on his 'real' bike and noticed someone on a 'real' motorbike next to him. I can't imagine he'd wave or nod - wouldn't he just try and beat it off the lights?
What I am really after is someone who likes to wave at others whilst on a boat. Why do you do that? I just don't get it.
Maybe it's time to move on and I'll never now the answer (unless I just ask the next person I see on the ferry who is waving at another person on another boat, why they are waving.....but that would just be embarrassing).
At 4/5/07 9:10 AM,
Anonymous said…
No do it, that would be funny. I can see it now.
"Um, excuse me, why are you waving at that other boat? Do you realise you look like a moron?"
I can tell you're really troubled by this one Jonny. If I had to hazard a proper guess I'd say it's because there's something pleasant about being on a boat, out in the open air, cruising along the water, so people want to acknowledge each other. Busses and trains however are far more miserable experiences, and so everyone just wants to look down at the floor and get through it.
What do you reckon?
At 4/5/07 10:09 AM,
Me said…
Just caught up on the last couple of months of blogging - entertaining as ever. Looking forward to the next extract of Mum and Dad Down Under to see what they made of the Red Centre etc.
People run with surfboards to warm up, probably, and to catch the earliest wave possible, possibly, in case they run out.
People wave at each other on boats but not on buses because, for most people, buses are a common mode of transport whereas a boat trip is a bit rarer and therefore slightly more exciting and sociable. All is well with the world on a boat.
In other words, I don't know.
At 4/5/07 11:21 AM,
Anonymous said…
Far out...a year has passed and you already have been photographed with the Leader of the Opposition and have John Howard cheering for you in his green trackie dacs. I had a look at your aspirations for your move down under, looks like you have achieved almost all of those...not sure about playing cricket - perhaps Beach Volleyball can be used as a credit! Did you get to meet Steve Irwin before that terrible day and are Bindi and Terri now 'On The List'? What an awesome year you guys have had - I am jealous!
Here's to your second year, hope its as good if not better than the first! It may even end with a citizenship app? Must catch up before the second year is out!
Lyn
At 5/5/07 1:03 PM,
Jonny said…
Good effort again Andy, and I'm glad that Mike is now back in the wonderful world of the blog as I think he has answered both questions rather well, even if he thinks he hasn't.
However, travelling by boat is now my most common mode of transport and I don't feel the urge to wave at anyone. Maybe that's because the Manly Ferry, as famous as it is, is not that glamorous (if I was on a multi-million dollar yacht then yes, I'd be at the front waving at everyone). In the meantime I'll accept Andy and Mike's answers and will now put this one to bed.
Glad you've caught up Mike - it must've taken a while! The next part of Mum and Dad Down Under will be sorted sometime in the near(ish) future.
Lyn - yep, it's been an incredible year and I cannot believe how quickly it has gone. This time next year I could well be applying to be an Aussie. I haven't had a retrospective look at the aspirations I mentioned last year but it should be interesting to do so. And yes, we must meet up again. For sure ;)
At 5/5/07 1:38 PM,
Anonymous said…
When I took the loons on a boat two of them flipped out. I think they'd disagree with a boat being a more pleasurable experience.
It certainly wasn't one that day :)
Also do waves run out?
At 7/5/07 1:23 AM,
Jonny said…
They sure do.
After 5 days or so of great swell
last week the Pacfic Ocean resembled a lake on the weekend, which is pretty strange to see. It's quite hard to believe that something so vast can sometimes be so flat.
At 10/5/07 12:31 PM,
Anonymous said…
When we were on a boat trip in paris we waved at people on bridges. I think maybe it was an attempt to befriend them so they didn't spit on us when we went underneath.
Congrats on the year!
At 13/5/07 10:31 AM,
Anonymous said…
Congratulations on your 1 yr anniversary. Im so far behind on your blog it will take me a yr to catch up, makes a better Sunday read than the Times though..
There are other car owners that have special little waves, MG owners do it.
Drivers of cars sporting something in the region of 200bhp often exchange funny little nods or waves...sad but true.
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