I think the sociological difference between Cairns and Melbourne is that Cairns does run on Tropical Time...whereas with Melbourne, if you are going to meet someone at 7pm then you meet them exactly at 7 pm, not 6.50, not 7.10...this seems to be quite a big thing...and you don't change arrangements...this is very important. If you are having a 20 minute meeting, then the meeting lasts exactly 20 minutes. Time is important. After so many years in the Tropics and indeed in Asia, this is a difficult concept to just accept at face value. Sure, sure, time is important, sure, sure, life is important, but neither time nor life are everything.

I think the sociological difference between Cairns and Melbourne is that Cairns does run on Tropical Time...whereas with Melbourne, if you are going to meet someone at 7pm then you meet them exactly at 7 pm, not 6.50, not 7.10...this seems to be quite a big thing...and you don't change arrangements...this is very important. If you are having a 20 minute meeting, then the meeting lasts exactly 20 minutes. Time is important. After so many years in the Tropics and indeed in Asia, this is a difficult concept to just accept at face value. Sure, sure, time is important, sure, sure, life is important, but neither time nor life are everything.