16 January 2026
Smile at someone when you walk past them and usually you’ll get a smile in return. Say hello, and often you’ll receive a greeting with a smile. We must be in Queensland you say? Yes Queenslanders are often very friendly people and it’s still not uncommon to greet each other in our local streets.
Of course the middle of Brisbane city is not a place where you would greet everyone. It would be too exhausting; a bit like Paul Hogan in Crocodile Dundee, where he tries to greet every passerby on a New York sidewalk. Australians tend to be friendly all over the country, especially in our regions, but in Queensland we like to think we’re very friendly.
Recently out walking in Sydney, I said hello to people; which received mixed results. Often I was completely ignored. I tried to fight the negativity, but without a positive response, it was hard to keep going.
“Smile like an optimist,” says Victor Perton, founder of the Centre for Optimism. “Smile at every person you meet and pass today. Smile at yourself in the mirror. Smile at strangers and say good morning.” Researchers have found that even practising smiling can help us to feel happier and more optimistic.
So next time you’re out walking, smile, say hello, and even the grumpiest person you pass, may not be able to resist saying hello. But remember not to take it too hard if you’re ignored, because sometimes people just need some space in their busy lives.
Ali Durham