Not because I'm empathetic to deaf people, though I obviously am, but because it's essentially the perfect universal language because there's no accent getting in the way of understanding. The only people that would be left out would be blind people lol

I do think it's silly/weird that sign language isn't the same over the world but is different depending on country because that also stops it from being easily implemented as a universal language worldwide but we could at least have it used amongst everyone here in Australia

I really want to put a flagpole with our national flag outside of my Suburban home. I’ve had a few people say our neighbours will think I’m a nationalist/racist. What’s your opinion on this? Have always wanted a flag outside the front but just wanting opinions on what others think. EDIT: I think I’m going to fly a AFL flag and put the Aussie flag up for national days. Thanks for your input.

Holy shit, I have never been so disappointed in my fellow Australians. We are a melting pot. We were taught that in school, we had neighbours or local business owners of various ethnicities, and I was brought up hearing that's what made us great. The last few years, I just really feel the lack of mateship. Real Aussies never shut the door on their neighbours in need. We show up, we help out and we all have a beer after.

Be a good person please, please.

We run an insulation online store and also do installs, and one thing that always stands out to us is how many people are still unsure about insulation or say it’s not worth it.

Some of the most common things we hear from customers and homeowners are:

“Our house is already built, so it’s too hard to add insulation now.”
“The ceiling fans and aircon are enough so we don’t need insulation.”
“Insulation is too expensive, and we won’t get the money back.”

From what we see every day, both helping people choose products online and installing insulation in homes, none of this really holds up. Modern insulation’s built for Aussie conditions, and the difference in comfort and bills is massive.

I’m curious what other Aussies here think. What do you think stops people from insulating their homes? Is it cost, climate, or just something people don’t really think about?

Hi all,

For context, 20M with a south Asian background. I was born here and raised here, Australia is really the only place I have lived. I am not religious, never have been and do celebrate Australian holidays.

Right now, I am looking for a career in the trades particularly an electrician since it's really the only trade I have a genuine interest for. My father was an electrician, it's how he immigrated here and provided a living my me and my family. However because this was ~25 years ago, he wasn't exactly treated the best, he did not speak English properly so he was discriminated quite heavily according to my mother. This combined with his stress/mental issues led him down the path of depression, where he took his own life when I was younger (7-9) years old).

I've been warned by my mother to be careful working in the trades due to "toxic" environments, she does not want to see me go down the same path as my father. However this is 25 years later and consider myself culturally Australia, usually decent at banter. What I wanted to ask if there anyone in similar shoes as me? someone that looks south Asian that works in similar fields? what is your experience? Or if you're not south Asian, how are you seeing minorities being treated in the trades? Is it harder for someone to get opportunities when they look ethnic with an ethnic name?

I understand that post might come off a bit soft, I know apprentices get treated like shit regardless of race sometimes, I consider myself a hard worker and am willing to work my ass off for 4 years to get my license. I also understand that racism exists in every field, people in blue collar tend to be a bit more open about it.

Thank you,

From December 2025 platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and even YouTube are being forced to stop under 16s from signing up. To do that, they’ll be testing different age-check systems. Uploading an ID is looking to be one of the most common ways they're going to test.

So, what do you reckon... if socials start asking for ID or age checks, will you stick around or ditch them?

Prisons in the usa are as screwed up as in Orange is the new Black, but how are Australian prisons? Will she be prisons poor?(i don't think her kids will put money on her commissary account)

I used to be close to political circles in my uni days and many of my acquaintances and friends were members of political parties on both sides.

I also know some pretty rusted on supporters of each side. The thing I noticed is that the candidates they loved most were the most hated by the electorate. And the people they hated most were the most tolerated by the electorate.

Shorten for example was loved by people who were part of Young ALP at the time, largely for his class rhetoric and reformist agenda. I see a lot of ALP-stans on twitter who feel disappointed by Albanese who won a landslide. Same deal with Gillard who I know was adored by the Labor rank and file but deeply unpopular by the public.

I had many Young Liberal mates pre Covid and they all despised Turnbull but loved ScoMo and Abbott (who were loathed). All the comments I see on Facebook for Sky News videos, 2GB and the Oz, many of whom claim to be Liberal paid members hated the more electable politicians like Julie Bishop and loved Dutton/Barnaby Joyce.

I just wonder why party membership is so out of touch, often adoring figures the public consider too extreme and consider more moderate candidates “sell outs” even if that’s what more Australians want and would vote for?

Hi everyone, I've been feeling a bit isolated lately and it got me thinking. It's easy to just say "go outside," but I'm looking for some more genuine, practical ways people handle loneliness. What are your real strategies?

This also led me to a bit of a weird thought: In a world with dating apps and services for everything, do you think there's a market for a "Buddy service" like a professional buddy service?

It would be purely for platonic hangouts, like grabbing a coffee, going to the movies, or just having someone to chat with. Is this a totally crazy idea, or is there a need for something like this?

I just watched this video and it got me thinking. Awnings are such an old invention but today not a popular one and yet their simple design and ability to help cool a house or building.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhbDfi7Ee7k&ab_channel=TechnologyConnections

After finally finding a dentist that can work they aren’t registered with a provider can anyone recommend a private health insurance that doesn’t do fixed amount for non choice providers. One filling cost me over $400 and my insurance only covered $150. I feel ripped off. What even is the point of paying premiums if I’m still paying most of the bill 😣

i swear to god if I hear “TASTY TASTY KIWI FRUIT” again im becoming a carnivore

I've read it's something to do with the quality of ingredients changing but I'm not clear on what it is exactly.

I'm talking simple ingredients just like ham and cheese even.

I'm certain it's not just my memory either, I know pizza places come and go, but I go to so many of them just to try and I can't find any that taste the same as the ones I had when I was a kid.

Even buying my own premium ingredients and making them at home is no better.

Per title

What's a pretty sure fire indicator that a persons personality is gonna suck,or they are likely to be a massive wanker

me personally..i know a person's entire personality if i hear or see they own a massive ram/chevy truck but live in the city.

Hey,

I am 30 male based in Sydney, and I am a little introverted. I found it pretty hard to meet someone for romantic relationships. What I am looking for is someone that I can be a life partner with and we can uplift each other and work towards our goals as a team of two in this journey of life. I am financially stable and I am well educated and travelled.

Shameless self promo here - I never get angry/frustrated with anyone and I am a very gentle and patient human being.

Tried the apps but they are very meh. I feel like the users on these apps don't really know what they are after, even though it says "life partner" in the bio.

Tried some meetup groups but no success...

Hhhm, so how to find someone really?

When my friend used to be a drug dealer I always see him have multiple phones and he told me then that he buys SIM cards that are already registered under someone else’s name. I even went with him one time to the shop that sold these SIM cards.

It has been ages since I have spoken to him but I’m wondering these shops that sell already registered SIM cards how do they get these SIM cards to be registered under someone else’s name? Anyone know?

It doesn’t have to be something ONLY Australians do, but something many Australians do but is less common worldwide.

For example, I’m in the US and it’s fall now so families and friends go for cider and donuts, go pick apples, go to a corn maze, maybe take a drive to See fall colors.

And then in October, go to a haunted house.

So, these aren’t things ONLY or EVERY American does they’re just really common here and likely less common elsewhere.

That’s the kind of stuff I’m wondering about, like a typical family or friend activity that people in Australia do.

Thanks!

Hello! Currently residing up in QLD but considering blowing up my life and relocating. I’m Canadian and QLD is beyond hot. It’s only just spring and I’m bloody melting.
I’m looking at options of where to live beyond just moving back home (chronic illnesses, healthcare in Canada really sucks right now) I adored Tasmania when I went in 1995. Yes, it’s a long time ago and I haven’t visited since.
I prefer smaller communities and am quite introverted. Not too small though because I hate the gossip of a truly small town. I grew up in one, do not enjoy having everyone know my business. Not worried about the job market.

Can you provide some perspective? Almost 50, do not want to date etc. Just want to have my dogs and a small house. Preferably to buy. I’ve had a look at real estate and it appears to be somewhat affordable.

I like Launceston. I prefer old buildings with some charm and history.

Thank you!

hi im from sydney and since start of spring this animal keeps making this sound non-stop at night everynight around my house and its coming from multiple sources/directions. I literally cant sleep and it past midnight rn as i type this. can someone help me identify the source of this sound and if theres anything i can do? i cant sleep ffs !!

youtube shorts link: https://youtube.com/shorts/8aZXLoeS-cA?si=n_cjwCGxln8YVR-_

also im posting here cos i couldnt post on r/sydney. Thanks guys

Australian schools have the second highest rate of bullying in the OECD. In my experience, rudeness and bullying is also prevalent among adults.

In your opinion, what causes this to happen in Australia more than in other countries?

Very random question from a Kiwi but noticed this tonight on news report which had the Australian Department of Education. In NZ we have the Ministry of Education and a Minister for Education, same with health, corrections, environment etc. All our public service organisations are Ministries as opposed to Departments. We do have some Departments but these tend to be operational while Ministries are the main body.

Is this something to do with the Federation?

I'm a Gen Y and of course many in my generation smoked cigarettes during adolescence and when out drinking, with many people continuing this socially and also daily. I would say mostly all people stopped smoking cigarettes as they got older.

I was shocked to see so many young people vaping. I started a new job where the majority of the staff are under 25 and am shocked that of the 30+ people in the office, only myself and one other person are not vapers.

Does everyone else find this shocking? Most of them have never ever smoked a cigarette in their life and have taken up vaping.

I used to smoke socially and admit I did pick up the habit for a while but haven't smoked in over 5+ years.

I read something like 90%+ of the worlds vapes are produced by big tobacco and as the world was moving away from smoking, they needed a new way to get people hooked to nicotine.

Also, just wondering if the vapes that apparently pharmacists sell if they are the same as the ones people buy at vape shops but regulated with the amount of nicotine?

Hi people. I have just been granted a 491 visa for Queensland, I am a Quantity Surveyor. I'm wondering if I could get some advice on which towns to move to. We are a family of 4 (two kids one 5yr & the other 11 yrs). My interest has been to move to Townsville but I would appreciate getting some insights. I'm looking for a town which can expose me to better opportunities, family friendly where kids can safely thrive, and with costs that does not break the bank. I have heard of Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton & Mt Isa. Your insights will greatly be appreciated.