How do I not hate Australia nor its people?

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I unfortunately lived here all my life; yes its a relatively safe country and that its 1st world, but to me at least.. Most Australians seem to; dislike anyone who aren't authoritarianly nationalistic nor multiculturalist (since I'm a voluntaryist), that my interest in guns is very taboo in our culture (unless I disliked "assault" weapons), that mental health isn't thought of enough, and that our people may not have much depth to them. I don't really have any passions nor interests aside from guns, philsophy, and music (I play traditional country music and I occasionally songwrite).. Although I'm not sure if music is really a passion for me since I'm rather afraid of publishing or performing music in public, and that I can't sing too well.

Sorry that I'm judgemental about this country, I don't know how to enjoy this place with all the problems I mentioned above :/ I noticed I've argued quite a lot with Australians recently who tried to help me so that's why I want to ask in here. I feel I have a problem but please don't hurt me for it, I'm trying to ask what to do okay?

Good on you for reaching out, hopefully I can offer a sympathetic perspective.

One thing about growing up in Aus on the spectrum, I found, was that it sometimes grated when I found myself subjected to apparently irrational, stupid or overly restrictive rules.

Examples I can think of now include:
20kph or 30kph road work speed limits when travelling to SA.
A no-u-turn sign in a spot where I could safely turn.

These still bug me today. What's made them tolerable is when I fully reflected on how those rules came to be.

Generally, someone made them conscientiously. The social melee played out for many years. People acted egregiously badly in a few cases.

Here's the rub.

Rules in society are a net benefit, when we consider the forms of nasty behavior some folks would happily engage in if not pulled up for it. Rules, however, only work when they are made for everybody. They stop working if someone gets to claim "oh, that rule isn't for me".

We know of some rare cases in Australia where people behaved egregiously badly and guns were involved. Statistically in terms of gun deaths per capita, it's self evident that America has it far worse.

Try reflecting on the above, maybe you'll find something there that helps.

I'll address the comments about society and the people, as someone who's grown up here but had a few years' opportunity to sample some other cultures.

We're far from perfect, of course, there are examples of more-enlightened behavior, across multiple social dimensions, in pockets the world over.

Generally, though, many societies struggle to keep their stuff together as much as we've managed to. America has its demons. Europe isn't perfect. Nordic countries do some things well but lack in some respects. To really appreciate what we have here, just try and go (or imagine) make a living in Somalia or even Greece.

Here's hoping that might sort-of help..?

Comments welcome.

Never hate your enemies; it clouds your judgement.

Instead, treat them like business rivals and drive them into bankruptcy.

Funnily, I had the opposite problem. I was taught to shoot a gun at the age of 10, in the outback, down near Narrabri. I wound up involved in a long-term relationship with a childhood sweetheart who became military(Navy) and is very into guns. He has seen action in Iraq. I'm not into weapons at all, but am surrounded with Australian family and friends who are. One friend I've had since the age of 7, has her own very successful hunting business, alongside her husband. Not my thing. Maybe you need to strike a conversation with some Army/Navy types on nights out(if you go out to hear live bands etc) at your local. If you want to talk guns etc, you'd maybe be better off joining forums on that interest. Bound to find like-minded people there. Otherwise, maybe focus more on the topics of music and philosophy if you're looking for more positive, easy-going talk and friendship... I say this as an Aussie, who now lives in England ...