The Land Down Under has long been celebrated for its friendly locals and laid-back attitude. But is the quintessential Australian friendliness taking a back seat in modern society? One Australian man seems to think so, and his recent social experiment has sparked a nationwide debate about the subtle shifts in our social fabric.
In a candid social media video that has since gone viral, a 40-year-old bloke from the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria has lamented the apparent decline in everyday friendliness among Australians. He recalls a time when a simple ‘hello’ or ‘g’day mate’ was the norm, a time when community spirit was more than just a nostalgic notion.
The man’s frustration boiled over after he made a conscious effort to greet his neighbours and passersby during a walk. ‘I thought I’d do the right thing and say hi so I said ‘hey mate’ and [my neighbour] looked at me like ‘who the hell are you’,’ he shared with his followers. Despite living in the area for four years, the cold reception left him feeling like a stranger in his own suburb.
Determined to test the waters further, he embarked on a personal challenge: to smile and greet every person he encountered on his walk. The result? A warm response from about 20 individuals who reciprocated his friendly gesture. However, the following day, when he reversed the roles and waited for others to initiate the greeting, not a single person offered a smile or a ‘good morning’ in return.
This experience led him to question whether the Australia he knew as a child, where friendliness was as common as the sunshine, had changed for the worse. ‘Is this what Australia is now, people just ignoring each other?’ he pondered.
The man’s observations have struck a chord with many Australians, sparking a flurry of comments and discussions online. Some agree with his sentiment, sharing their own experiences of feeling invisible in their communities. ‘That’s so true no-one says hello, I walk on the Cooks Riverwalk and no one acknowledges to say hi, 30 years ago everyone said hello,’ one commenter echoed.
Others suggest that this perceived decline in friendliness could be a generational issue, with older Australians seemingly more inclined to engage in casual street-side banter than their younger counterparts. ‘I’ve greeted many people in my 60 years. The elderly are more friendly than those in their 30s and 40s. Most just grunt in reply or ignore altogether,’ another added.
Yet, there are those who have decided to retreat into their shells, worn down by the lack of reciprocation. ‘I’m a five-generation Australian. I have given up saying hello. People look at you as if you’re weird so I don’t do it anymore,’ a disheartened Australian shared.
So, what’s behind this subtle yet significant change? Is it the fast-paced nature of modern life, the influence of technology on our social interactions, or perhaps a cultural shift towards individualism? Whatever the cause, it’s clear that the simple act of greeting one another is no longer as simple as it used to be.
What are your thoughts on this shift? Have you noticed any changes in the way people interact in your community? Do you still make an effort to greet your neighbours, or have you found that it’s become less common? Feel free to share your experiences or opinions in the comments below.
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