I lived in the US for almost 15 years.

7 years in California and 8 in Arizona.

I enjoyed my time there and I found most of the people I came into contact with to be pretty easy going and down to Earth.

When I came home to Oz, it was a different story, it was as if I didn’t recognise the place. People had grown distant and appeared unapproachable and cold. The Aussie spirit seemed to have died...

I felt lost in my own country and still do, it’s a shame really because in the old days everyone seemed to be friendly and full of mate ship. Oh how I long for those days now.

I remember having block parties in Arizona as we lived in a cul de sac and all the neighbors would engage in a pot luck and bring their own dishes, it was a really good experience and I miss it immensely.

Nothing like that happens here now, all of my neighbors seem angry and hostile never even waving or stopping for a chat.

So you Americans had something special back then...is it still the same now?

Judging from some of the comments here lately I’m guessing things have changed for you as well.

A sign of the times or something else?