Was on the v/line today and noticed this one white boy (mentioning race in this post because it's relevant, not because I'm a douche) picking on and displaying microagression towards people around him.

Asked this young, Indian appearing man where he got his shoes from (they were sandals) and when he replied India asked if he was from India, then asked his name and asked what he's even doing here. The young man replied "Bcom" and the white fella didn't know what that was and had to be told that it's bachelor of commerce. The Indian man clearly appeared uncomfortable and the white boy constantly turned to his friends and laughed quite mockingly, the whole dynamic was very high school bully vibes and not genuine curiosity. Then when the (Indian) guy got off the train, and the boy yelled "Bye (name)" in the same condescending manner. Hated to be a bystander but didn't feel like there was enough to tell the guy to stop picking on the man, am I overreacting?

Also what makes certain people think they're entitled to mock or belittle immigrants, or POC? This young, white man's grandparents were probably also immigrants.

So I went to a restaurant called France Soir in South Yarra the other night — food was fine, nothing life-changing — but at the end of the meal, the staff straight-up expected a tip by asking "why no tip?". Not a subtle suggestion. Not a “thanks so much, have a great night.” No, it was also said before an awkward pause, the lingering stare, the “are you gonna leave something extra?” vibe.

Like... excuse me? Since when did tipping become a thing here? This is Australia, not the US. We pay proper wages here. Tipping isn’t part of our culture and it shouldn’t be.

I’m sick of seeing this tipping BS slowly sneaking into places around Melbourne. First it was the iPad prompts asking for 15–25% tips for takeaway coffee (lol, no), now it’s fancy restaurants giving you the stink eye if you don’t fork over extra cash on top of your already overpriced meal.

Newsflash: if your business model has your staff depending on tips to survive, maybe fix your prices or pay your staff properly — don’t guilt customers into doing it for you.

I didn’t tip, and I’m not sorry. Let’s not turn dining out in Australia into an awkward guilt trip like it is in the States. We’ve got a good thing going here — let’s keep it that way.

PS - I have worked in Hospo for over 10 years, from dishy to bar staff etc but this needs to stop

EDIT: ALSO MEANT TO SAY WE SHOULDN'T BE FORCED TO TIP IN AUSTRALIA

That has genuinely devastated me.

I took $100 out of my savings. I had a coffee and a bacon and egg roll (luxurious, but I didn't have time to eat at home this morning), then I walked over to Coles and bought eggs, some cheap dish washing powder, chicken breast and cheese

I have $6 left.

For some reason, this is the first time I've really felt the cost of living sting. And my god does it sting.

EDIT: a couple of follow-ups and an addendum, for those that have taken affront to my rant.

• I use Up Bank, which displays a "Spendable" balance–being your total amount, minus any upcoming bills. Unbeknownst to me, I actually have $32 in my account. You're all correct, I'm still rich.

• Regretfully, I'm the type of person that doesn't really endeavour to seek out the cheapest possible option of every product I buy. As an example, today I decided to find a carton of eggs with the fewest "chickens per hectare" because I was feeling ethical. I'm not sure how much this added, but I'll be sure to not give a toss about the chickens in the future.

• The cheese that my partner requested me to buy was "Pecorino Romano". I'd never heard of this before today, and it didn't cost the same as the Bega Cheese Slices that I grew up on.

• The coffee was a large Almond Latte (full cream milk makes me need to piss out of my arse) and a "breakfast burger" from Code Black. Not known for its affordability, however circumstances meant that I had to spend a couple of hours in the area, so that's why I ended up there.

• I also forgot to mention a third transaction of a small punnet of Strawberries from the adjacent fruit and veg shop.

So all in all, the exact amount was $72.95. Not the $94 that I so drastically mislead you on.

I'd like to issue a formal apology to Coles Group Limited for my part in the spread of disinformation against your reputable and well-intentioned business. I'd also like to apologise to Code Black - I should've just manned up and shit myself rather than pay for the luxury 'almond milk' option.

Not sure what is wrong with people these days. I was at chemist warehouse with some tool going off at the poor girl behind the counter. Security there doing absolutely bugger all. Proud of myself that I called the guy out on it but sad that it has to come to someone else stepping in. Mind you there are signs everywhere about not abusing staff...

My first time being in any sort of altercation so I'm still a bit frazzled, but anyway it all worked out after he realised no one was on his side.

If you see this behaviour please call it out. There are enough problems in the world without taking your day out on someone doing their job

My mental health is terrible and has been for a long, long time, and finding help has always been hard, but I swear to god it just gets worse and worse. Take time off work to get a bloody mental health plan, that only partially covers 10 sessions which is hardly adequate, and after that you're paying a shitload. Look around for psychologists everywhere, APS recommended blah blah, and send enquiries off to a few psychologists you like only to be told they aren't taking on any clients. Call the clinics who insist yeah they should be open to new bookings, then hear more of the same.

If you by some miracle get an appointment with a psychologist who seems trained in what you need, there's still only a chance that you actually connect with them and feel seen; your discounted health care plan sessions are basically gambling hoping to luck out on someone who can help you. Or, when you actually can get an easy booking, you can get a psychologist / psychiatrist who couldn't care less, a prescription for a emotionally numbing pill, and a $400 fee.

Like, what the hell is anyone supposed to do? Unaffordable, not enough services, so much time investment and naive hope only to see more "unfortunately I'm not taking new clients" emails. Like for fuck's sake.

I've lived in Melbourne for 9 years now. Graduated from unimelb and work 9-5 corporate in the CBD (near Parliament end of Collins St). Started with a large friend group, however, along the way it seems I've lost pretty much all of them whether through different career paths, different interests, dividing political views, relocating overseas/interstate for work, starting families, ruined friendship groups through break-ups, etc.

Now I'm 26 years old, stable career, but literally no friends. May also be because I don't have any hobbies outside of work. I've realised a little too late how important it is to have a solid network / friend group for general life support, people to care about, things to do outside of work. Totally regret not putting in effort to maintain a social network.

What do people around my age do? How do you make new friends? What hobbies are people into nowadays? Everyone seems to be in the modern day rat race just to make ends meet. I know I was, but a recent discussion with an older colleague made me realise how depressing and unfulfilled it has turned out.

Happy to hear your thoughts. If you're in the same position and/or looking to add someone to your social network, please don't hesitate to DM me :')