The dogs here are so handsome and beautiful and well-trained. They run at the same pace as their masters' jogging pace. Dogs are left outside the grocery store UNTIED. Guard dog leading their blind master. Ooo, people who don't love dogs must be mad.
Trains who arrive on the DOT and sometimes, earlier! Easily comprehensible train maps and computer screens on the platform. You can really plan your trip right down to the minute. The NSW Infoline website is amazing with a Trip Planner and Fare Calculator, where you can even plan the budget of your trip and hence, allows the cheapest or shortest route. The ticket machines which actually work is a far cry from Malaysia's, where 7 out of 10 are damaged. You can top out your weekly or monthly train ticket through the machine and that saves plenty of time. (Probably Malaysia's machines can too...I don't know. )
Australians, who are obsessed with saving the environment. Companies fork out hundreds of thousands to implement an energy-saving system in their buildings. I was in a toilet once and it suddenly went pitch black. I later found out it's a small teeny part of the energy saving technology in the building. The implementation of the carbon tax is proof enough of how seriously they take energy conservation and environmental protection. There is never only 1 type of garbage bin. There is always another recyclable bin beside a garbage bin, anywhere, everywhere.
The basic amenities provided by the clinical school. Microwave, sandwich maker, free coffee, tea, sugar, hot water, computers with internet access, which actually work and are freely accessible (yes, you don't have to APPLY or REGISTER to use the computers), the monthly subscribed educational and ENTERTAINMENT magazines for the students which will always be lying around on the coffee table for the perusal of everyone. Yes, when you come tomorrow, they will still be on the table!!! (this will never happen in Malaysia...I can almost hear the whispers of "Eh, free one, nobody take, just take la.." ) Now, I understand the horror and disgust of Dr Wendy when all her psychiatry books on the shelves went missing repeatedly during each posting.
Cleanliness. I don't hesitate so much to put my bags on the ground. I don't need to cover my nose and mouth to block the fumes from vehicles when I cross the road.
Civilized drivers, at least towards pedestrians. I am the KING if I step foot on a pedestrian crossing. All cars will stop for me.
Civilized society. The tattooed man in hoodie, the Asian guy, the burly labourer still in his dirty clothes who looked dead on his feet, obviously, from the night shift, the young man in sleek office wear and his iPad, EVERYONE and ANYONE, will give their seat away within seconds of someone, who is more in need of a seat, sets foot in the train. The ladies hardly have to give their seats away because the male species are already on it.
Gentleman. If any guy is within 3 feet from me, I never have to open the door for myself. My specialist opens the door and let us pass before he did during ward rounds. Over in Malaysia, we'll only get to see the specialist's back and butt and that's considered a privilege already. The average Joe will stop in his tracks to let you pass first. And why am I so impressed? Because 90% of guys I grow up with or know never have such simple, gentlemanly manners.
The secondhand book stores. Ahhh, that alone can be my ONLY reason to move overseas.
People are efficient, they know what they are doing and talking about, they take pride in what they are doing, be it the bus driver or traffic controller, and because of that, they carry out their duties well. And because everyone has this sense of responsibility, the country, as a whole, runs well. And when I think of my country, Malaysia and its leaders, and how much soul-searching they will have to do before they arrive at the stage that Australia is at now, I am engulfed by a deep pang of sadness and anguish. It is somewhat possible for me to spend my lifetime in Malaysia, if I don't read the news.
