Quite agree - we should respect others values when in their homeland if we expect ours to be valued in return. 'When in Rome' cuts both ways. Trouble is, it's hard to shake the legacy of empire isn't it. Ingrained into some people somehow.
Can't see my mate being someone who would act that way TBH...but no question there will be plenty who do. I always appreciate anything anyone does for me, especially if they do it well, regardless of who what or where. Makes me cringe the way some folk treat others doing jobs they consider to be menial.
A colleague is a fairly frequent visitor to NZ as he has relatives living there......and at one point was really keen on emigrating over there, but after a few long stays, he has changed his mind. Apparently they are prone to being very anti-immigrant (ironic of course, given none of the indigenous population are left - even the Maori are interlopers) and there were a number of less obvious things that he didn't much care for ranging from the standard of driving to their almost totally absent employment contract sytem.
I thought about Oz a few years back but too old/poor now to make it happen. I do know someone who moved there many years ago and has had a good life over there, but nowhere is perfect of course.
Sounds like a good plan Dibby - hope it all comes together for you as you'd wish mate.
Rant away!!