Would you consider Australia more relaxed than New Zealand?

Question

I've lived in a lot of countries, and currently live in NZ. When I arrived here from the UK a few years ago, I was surprised to see that Kiwis appear to be less relaxed than the average population in the UK, Canada, Germany, or France.
I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is something intense about the people here, something that feels to me as if they can't find serenity in anything, are always on edge, always restless, nervous.
I remember the poise and the dignity that seemed to be in the air in places like Sweden, Bavaria, Switzerland, or the US, and I'm beginning to ask myself how Australia would be in this regard.
Is there someone out there who has a well-founded opinion on both countries and can illuminate the issue for me?
I know I like my Australian colleagues, and they do seem very warm and mellow. But that's only five people, and it may be a coincidence...

Answer 1

Hey CRANKY nospeakoftheenglishheyshoults

NZ is a more relaxed country because the Kiwi;s have 2million sheep so when they go to bed they count sheep all night.

Answer 2

I'm Australian. I have a kiwi stepmother and from knowing her, her family and having met a lot of kiwis, at the risk of making a very unfair generalisation, I am inclined to agree. And I'm only thinking about north islanders I've met. That's not to say that I haven't gotten along well with many kiwis, and I've met "serene" ones. But I've found that quite a few I've met seem to have a chip on their shoulder and will take things a bit more seriously or react in a different way to a slight than Australians may sometimes.

Perhaps it's a little ingrained in their national character to be tough as nuts since the Maoris didn't let the colonialists put it over them so easily, so they've all had to be tough. That's one theory. My step mother agrees. I don't dare to disagree. For the sake of keeping the peace, I quickly become wary whenever I foolhardily venture into a conversation about religion, sex or politics or anything which may inspire an outspoken opinion from a kiwi I don't know well. lol :)

Australia might be a better place if we had a prime minister with such integrity as their formidable Helen Clark - I'll grant them that!

Answer 3

G'day

Well I've lived half my life in Aussie and the other half in NZ. Born an Aussie though. Lived in Nelson, top of the South Island. I honestly find both country's the same - laid back, down to earth. On saying that I feel the South Island is more relaxed than the North Island.

I could never live in Sydney, Melbourne or right in Brisbane city itself, too me those places would just stress me out. I'm in Cairns now, have been for a few years, love the place, not too big, not small, no major motorways, skyscrapers etc. I really can't see myself leaving unless my man gets a better job opportunity... he's already been offered Brisbane and Adelaide in the past month .... But we'll hold off here for a while.
Cheers

Answer 4

As so often I can't keep my mouth shut.

I have a theory: It is really about you, not about NZ (or Australia). You are "educated", as in cultured and appreciating the finer things in life. Unfortunately you are also demanding. This projects onto your NZ neighbors. They sense that you are not completely at ease, that you do not share their 'down home' lifestyles and interests. That is why you see no "serenity" in them.

If I read correctly you teach at Otago University. Ever wonder, why so many educated New Zealanders go abroad, never to return? Allan Wilson, who must have been in his time on a short list or two for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry or Medicine is a good example. He took his B.Sc. at Otago, went to Berkeley "for only two years" (to do his Ph.D.) and that was the last NZ had heard of him. My interpretation, in NZ he would not have had the same opportunities, the same educated colleagues and friends, visions and resonances.

I have visited Los Alamos (LANL) a few times. That place was equally "out in the boonies", rugged and beautiful, but (by design) far, very far away from any "civilization". The difference to NZ, when you worked at LANL, you worked and socialized with the country's brightest. Every morning a day to look forward to.

Answer 5

Mate I'm an Aussie and I'm married to a Kiwi,we live in Aussie but travel over to n.z quite often and personally ive found both countries to be equally laid back,Auckland maybe being the exception where people seem to think they are better than the rest of n.z but Sydney people are the same (massive generalisation i know) but just my opinion,my inlaws do it tougher than they would in Aussie with lower wages,longer working hours,no super,and not as good medical but they still seem happy,i will say all the people i know from N.Z are great and are a lot similar to my Aussie mates in terms of love a good time,sport,and things in general and just as laid back but maybe in a little bit different way

Answer 6

I visited New Zealand recently from Australia (I'm from queensland), and i consider new zealanders to be more relaxed than australians, They are also more hospitable and friendly, and go out of their way to help you

Answer 7

Ive found tense and placid people in all countries. People are people.

Answer 8

I don't know either of these two countries. Sorry!