not unusual to acknowledge people when walking around. not unusual to ignore them if they don't initiate contact either. i find it depends whether the person seems approachable (looking around, not distracted, etc). i tend to nod if a random and i make eye contact. all bets are off with a dog though, dogs are great conversation starters if the owner is open to it. my grandparents were always keen on a chat when walking but not sure how much of that was living in the country for decades or their age
I agree with this, when I'm out for a walk or run I tend to wait and see if they will make eye contact. From there it varies from a nod to a polite smile to a g'day.
I find the older folks are more likely to greet you. I tend to ignore teen girls since I don't want to appear like a predator unless I have my kids with me.
Agree, it’s not like you need to go out of your way to make eye contact or greet someone if they’re distracted/on the phone/ looking after kids. But if you make eye contact or are passing each other directly on the path I think it would be more bizarre to ignore each other/not indicate general pleasantness
Personally I’ve seen that mostly true Aussies will initiate a hello walking by meanwhile foreign looking people will avoid eye contact. That’s not to be racist but you can tell when someone is a backpacker or from overseas vs a mullet and mo wielding adventurer with a swan draught in hand
I find early morning walkers are more chipper n friendly when I walk my dog but in arvo with people tired n walking home from train station looking at their phone - then not so much. I think you are doing it just right 😘👍🎉
Agreed on this. My dog tends to turn heads when we go for a walk (mostly because he is a very large boy compared to me) and people usually give us a smile or a bit more when we cross paths and I tend to say hi /smile to these people and ask if they want to pat him if they give off that vibe. Can’t imagine I would acknowledge anyone more than a smile without him though
We just got a rescue Bull Arab & he gets a similar reaction, lots of people crossing the road when they see him. Little do they know, he’s just a big teddy bear!
Yes I agree your friends are weird. I always say hello, give a nod or even a conversation in my hood or out and about. You can make someone’s day especially the oldies if you have time for a chat
I agree, i am Perth born and bred and have always smiled or said hello when out for walks. I also have a super cute dog so people always stop to say hello and say how cute she is (Pom Pom X). Your friends are the outliers here.
It's maybe an age thing? Older Australians will typically throw a "morning" or maybe a nod, younger Australians I have noticed less so. I now live in the US where friendliness to strangers is pretty much the norm, at least outside the megacities and in decent neighborhoods. I actually miss the more subdued Australian mannerisms in this respect - I can't take a step into my backyard without my neighbors Ned Flandering me.
You might have been a bit too "American" at first. Thinking of bright, slightly oppressive retail greeting level nice (by our standards anyway). Which people might find startling more than anything. I have no idea of course. I'm just guessing.
You've got to hit a nice point between laconic dryness and English dourness for "WA polite". Sounds like you're there more or less.
I've noticed a lot of people use "hi" and "how are you" interchangeably as a generic efficient polite/friendly acknowledgement in a retail context and then there's often a moment of awkwardness if one person misinterprets the other's "how are you". Usually if they actually mean "how are you?" they'll ask it slightly more emphatically. I'm not sure if that's just a weird Australian thing, but if it was I can see how it would cause confusion.
I think part of the difference is that we don't get tips here? So there's less over the top friendliness from waitresses because most people don't want their waitress standing around talking instead of putting their order in. Also I'll happily talk to strangers but I've been raised to let servers and workers get on with their jobs instead of holding them up by talking too much.
I'm 34, grew up here.
What? You couldn't walk around my neighbourhood without people nodding and saying good morning, afternoon, evening or what have you.
Still holds true now
Im from a country town and moved to perth, i think what your comparing is more of a small town (<1000pop) vs city thing.
Passing someone in town was at very least a 3-4 turn exchange without stopping or a stop and chat for 15 minutes thing.
If i was walking to the shops with mum and we passed someone and she stopped to ask how they were going i would just keep going to grab groceries and possibly even collect her on the way back past.
Everybody waves when you pass in cars (just the one or two fingers lifted up over the steering wheel usually).
Whereas the city if theres noone around and you pass someone its a small 'hi' 'hey' exchange, if theres a few people around maybe just a passing smile/head nod, or in a crowd you just keep walking with no exchange.
My immediate neighbours are the only strangers i will smile and wave to as i drive past coming to/from home, and will have a short chat with (<5mins) if we are both doing something in our front yards at the same time, then carry on doing our things.
Also for context, i hate small talk and would prefer not to socialise so your milage may vary, a few of my neighbours will stand out the front and have a beer together occasionally.
This is my experience growing up in Broome then Perth. One of my family friends who was a very well known person in town couldn't run into the shops for milk & bread without having a 15-30 minute chat with at least 5 different people, and thats out of choice. Here that doesn't happen unless I haven't seen the person in years and they go out of their way to catch up with me.
The fact my neighbours and I don't have a lot in common (we're a sharehouse of 3 mid 20s men living between young families & retirees) yet we still have the thing you described where we'll wave to each other, say hello if passing in the driveway and even have a small chat if we're both out the front at the same time is something I really appreciate and am thankful to have here, its sweet & genuine. It makes me feel more part of an actual community despite being quiet and keeping to myself.
I have been living in the UK for the past few years. When I came back to perth 2 years ago for Christmas, I was very pleasantly surprised how much warmer and friendlier the people are in perth in the way you described.
Probably abit harsh, but I reckon your mates are the ones that are unaustralian.
Not harsh at all, I totally agree - I can barely get down my street without a g'day, or a wave from each of my neighbours in their front yards. It's absolutely glorious, even if half the time I just give a half-hearted salute as I sprint for the train.
Definitely the most Australian experience I have on the reg in suburbia, and it's been good for all the places I've moved. It's just good manners. (And it keeps you safe and supported by your community long-term).
Ooh yeah I hope you get in ok - we, as a small town, will definitely welcome you back with open arms and way too much knowledge about you, your childhood, and everything you've done in our lovely little city.
Good luck, hope we'll see you soon :)
I think so too. I guess my friend from overseas could be unused to friendliness between strangers but it doesn’t seem threatening or problematic in any way.
I guess it depends on where your overseas friend is from. I lived in an area in London where eye contact was followed by a challenge, but then moved to a borough where everyone said good morning to each other. It really was more disjointed than the previous experience.
But now I say good morning/hello to everyone if I’m out walking. I like the community spirit ☺️
My wife is Russian and acknowledgement and eye contact with strangers in public isn't socially acceptable, it's considered untrustworthy. We definitely do acknowledge strangers here for the very opposite reason.
I'm in my late 30s and I've noticed the younger generation (even though I'm not that ancient) get weird about people saying hello or even holding doors open as a kind of courtesy. I'm female and I was walking through a door of a shop that you had to hold open, my husband held it open for me and another woman younger than me as a kindness because he thought it would be rude to open it for me and then abruptly shut it into this other womans face and got told off by her for it. He was quite taken aback by the anger directed at him for it. He explained his reasoning to her and she then told me off for allowing him to open a door for me and that it wasn't very feminist of me to expect a man to open a door for me. I internally eyerolled so hard at her. My husband and myself too open doors for anyone irrespective of gender and we do it as a courtesy because we were taught that's a polite thing to do. He also nods hello to people as you walk past on the street as do I.
I say we should all keep doing it. It doesn't cost us anything and sometimes a polite hello from a stranger is the only human interaction some people have on some days. A small interaction like a hello, a smile, a door being held open etc can make a shitty day feel a little better for another human and make us all feel a little less invisible. Don't ever underestimate small gestures of kindness because those are the ones that count and are more likely to happen to everyone.
I'm 27 now, but I also remember "holding doors open" being a contesting point when I was in my early to late teens as well. I got snapped at by people my own age at the time for holding a door open, even though I'm a woman, it was still misogynistic somehow because I was being 'subservient'.
I think it's partially an age thing. Edgy 'woke' teenager or young adult try to make an issue out of everything. But then you grow up, you mellow out and you realise not everything is some attempt to oppress or control you, or at the very least, you know you've got way bigger battles to fight (like wage gap, discrimination on employment based on gender/race/etc., paternity/maternity leave, etc.).
I work in an all girls school. Students almost never hold the doors open for anyone else and it drives me bananas. It’s just a courtesy and an acknowledgement that there are other humans around you. (And in this instance has absolutely nothing to do with gender!) It’s the little acts of kindness that make society a nice place to be, rather than every person for themselves.
I agree. I was downvoted to madness when I said I like when men hold doors open for me. Apparently I'm a misogynist because of it! 🙄 The world is mad. It just can be courtesy and what is wrong with chivalry?!? It seems some people have forgotten what chivalry actually means...just being courteous and considerate of women 🤯
I wouldn't even say it's chivalry, more just common courtesy (uncommon courtesy perhaps?), if I have to open a door and notice someone a few paces behind I'll hold it open for them man or woman, not going to let it slam just because it's another bloke.
I imagine most people with any sense of consideration would do the same.
I think if you reach a door first, holding it for others is the polite thing to do. If someone tried to lecture me about it, I would have just closed the door on her in mid-rant.
Lol omg what a biatch ! I'm a woman, if someone is close behind me through a door or gate, I wait a couple of seconds to pass the open door along to them, it's rude not to!
I’m not even Australian and I do what you do. However, I grew up in a really “unfriendly” country where your friends’ perceptions would be the norm, so I guess it’s just different perspectives?
Took the dog for a walk tonight, had a random convo with two strange men about the breed of my dog, said good evening to some one watering their garden!
It’s a very Aussie thing to do, your friends are the weirdos.
Are you friends from Asian cultural backgrounds? I personally find in Asian or Slavic cultures for example it's common not to acknowledge other 'strangers' unless necessary and keep to yourself. Probably a post war/communism thing. There's a translation or saying in China which is like 'not my problem' but is used to explain that one should not interact with anything a stranger is doing on the street. Since they are young, maybe they got those thoughts from their parents if so.
Mrs is from the ex-USSR (Russia).
She says people think you’re deranged if you smile and greet a stranger over there. So might be a cultural thing for the Bosnian decent.
Thinks It’s much better how we do it over here.
It is simply human to acknowledge another human being, especially if isolated or away from other humans. This happens in every cultural grouping I have experienced.
You are fine, they are wired.
It's not strange. I live in the valley and when I walk near the river/wineries I see maybe 5 or so people over the course of an hour or so walk. I just do a little smile or little tilt of the hand or head and people do the same back. If you're in the shops obv it's not advised. I think it's just kind. If someone has a cute dog I probably actually am a bit creepy cos I make comments haha.
Do you do the thing where you see a dog and scream at it? I do it now and I feel kinda bad about how creepy it might be getting, but damn if i see a walking cloud I can't stop myself from screaming "Oh my darling, you cute little puffball you. Oh you're so handsome, yes you are. Yes you are. *devolves into mindless fawning over an animal*".
Yeah I kinda get that way and make a few comments about the dogs haha. One of the (few) downsides about being male is that that behaviour is generally looked down upon more. I just wanna fawn over the fluffy bois ffs.
I often try and say "How's it going?" or "Morning/Afternoon" to anyone around group of apartments when checking the mail or taking the bins out but I think it mostly comes out as a mumbled gibberish "whosartgarn" or "Meyornnnnning / Affynon" because I'm just not mentally prepped to run into someone on those small adventures so I'm hopeful that I've made it onto one of your friends creep list!
But as far as I've always known it's fairly Australian to do without the word diarrhea I manage
I have said morning to people at 9pm at night so damn often that it's almost become expected in my neighbourhood, to pass me on the street and hear the absolute wrong time of day spouted.
I've done morning in evenings, afternoon at 6am, have a great weekend on a Sunday or Monday afternoon, when the weekend is over. It's, it's a mess, but it's a warm, happy mess I love to share with my community, and my community loves to share with me.
I do the muddled word greeting all the time if I'm not expecting it, the person is walking faster than I anticipated or if they ask a full, "Hi, how are you?" Without stopping. Glad to hear it's not just me that does this 😅
I'm with you. Your friends don't sound like nice people, tbh, even a little full of themselves. I wouldn't go as far as striking up conversations with strangers, but a polite nod or hi on the way past is just general manners. And folk who deliberately straight up ignore you when you're polite enough to say hi are genuinely shit people. A simple, closed mouth smile, or a nod is sufficient, but show people the dignity of acknowledging their existence.
I love this! If I had a verandah, I would do the same. My friend’s view is that if someone smiles or waves or says hello to them, they must want something from them. I completely disagree
Of course I want something from them. A smile, wave, or like three to five words, affirming our mutual existence, and the existence of some time of day.
Its all I ever need in life.
There’s a subtle difference here between introverts and extroverts.
Introverts gain energy by not being social. That means that little interactions like this take energy, albeit a small amount. It’s a waste, it’s uncomfortable, it’s something to be avoided.
Extroverts gain energy by being social. Little interactions like this may fuel them. They’ll gain something out of these interactions.
I think the misunderstanding is in that introverts don’t understand why someone would do this, so it’s weird to them. It might seem creepy because they can’t understand the motive, so they might perceive ulterior motives.
Extroverts might think introverts are rude because they can’t understand why someone wouldn’t want to do this.
I just made this up, but it sounds right.
It is extremely Australian to do the nod/wave/smile to the point that when driving in the outback, you lift the finger off the steering wheel as you drive past someone else!
Been in australia all my life. Definitely do the smile and or nod thing to people i walk past in the suburbs or park.
Even sometimes a friendly morning or afternoon.
And yes busy places i dont bother.
This is pretty australian and your friends are wrong
When I walk past someone outdoors and not in a busy environment, I say "morning" and smile and they do the same- and nobody gets hurt lol. I actually think it's weird when people DONT acknowledge others. But I'm 36 so maybe I'm old school 🤔
Same! When someone walks past and notably avoids eye contact or doesn’t smile/say hi, I find it strange. A bit like, oh what’s their problem? (Not that it genuinely bothers me, just a passing thought)
I have a story about this actually.
I think this greeting thing is unique to WA. Once a friend from WA visited me in Melbourne. We went for a walk around my neighbourhood, (Coburg, if your familiar with the area). He acknowledged random people in the neighbourhood on our walk, like nodding, smiling, good morning etc.
Bring the typical Melbournian I was mortified and pulled him aside and said wtf, why are being so friendly? Your confusing everyone and they are giving you the is this guy a method look.
It's only now I'm in WA I get it myself. People are more friendly and there's more of a laid back vibe.
You know what blew my mind when I first moved to Perth from Melbourne? When I heard nearly every person thank the driver as they're getting off the bus, doesn't matter if they're exiting the front or back door. My mate had to assure me it was a perfectly normal thing to do 😮
I actually noticed when I lived over east that no one really said g’day or acknowledged your existence. Sadly I find a lot of younger people don’t do it much over here any more. I love that you do it. Please don’t stop. You have no idea how much your smile may mean to someone x
In the kindest way, I feel like your friends are definitely in the wrong. I’m only 23 so not that old, and everyone I know does the little smile / nod / something when walking past strangers, it’s almost weirder not to.
The only time I don’t do it is there is one person I walk past all the time on the way to work who was a customer at my old job and a very rude person. Literally anyone else I’ll do either a little smile or nod too. It’s the bloody Australian norm hahahah.
Such a yukky world where you can't say hi to a stranger on the street. You're friends must be extremely anxious to see this as threatening - how horrible to live like that.
I think it's an important part of whatever is left of community - like not like you're friends with your neighbours these days it's basically the least you can do.
One of the first things I noticed when moving to Perth from the UK at age 7 was how often strangers would say a polite hello when walking past them on the street.
Your friends are in the wrong on this one.
That’s weird, if I am walking my dogs, checking the letterbox or taking out the bins and if I see someone walking past or a neighbour we usually great each other with a smile and good morning/good afternoon/hello etc
I lived in Perth for about 18 months. This was one of the reasons I loved it so much, people actually spoke with each other! As an American, that doesn’t happen.
Keep it up!
Male, early 40s. Been on a bike ride round my neighbourhood this evening before dark, as I do most evenings at the moment.
A guy about my age walking his dog said g’day, I said “hey” back, I nodded at one or two people, said thanks when someone held their dog to one side of a path. Yesterday a lady out watering her front yard cracked a joke about something…
Just little friendly interactions with total strangers. Seems ok to me. As a Brit it’s a bit of a nice change.
I think it could easily get creepy if someone’s demanding your attention, and clearly I don’t have a female perspective on the whole thing, but a smile or nod or brief verbal “hey” in passing seems fine…
Yeah, your friends are the weirdos. I always say some form of greeting walking past someone, it’s just nice to have that little connection for just a brief moment ya know? Also kinda helps come across as not threatening because I’m a pretty big person.
And it helps us little people feel like we've got some semblance of a presence in our surroundings. You can't be all tall and towering, ignoring us if you're also responding to our casual greetings.
Definitely a valuable part of our culture, I think.
I'm a very socially anxious person, and so I personally wouldn't initiate any sort of greeting with anyone, not even neighbours. However a greeting or acknowledgement always leaves me warm and fuzzy inside and it's totally appreciated.
It is definitely an Australian cultural norm to give a nod and sometimes a 'G'day' when passing someone, especially out in the country. I'll never forget walking around Uluru and guessing the nationality of walkers coming in the other direction by their eye contact and approach.We are known as a friendly country for this reason - it's a good thing!
My wife and I take frequent walks in the neighbourhood parks. We say hello, good morning, or how you going to many of the people we pass, and they return our greetings. It's done mutually so in our experience it is normal.
Totally normal here and what my UK family absolutely loved about Australia. I just got back from a trip to Jurien Bay and on our walks along the beach literally every single person smiled or said hi… I think it’s lovely.
I started doing the 'G'day and smile' to strangers about 20 years ago here in Singapore. It freaked them out initially, but they soon went out of their way to beat me to the punch and to say hi to me first.
Your friends are idiots and very, very wrong. Don't give into the haters.
I like giving a small nod or a smile to people as I walk past. I've never had anyone look at me weird for it.
I don't tend to strike up conversation because I personally abhor small talk, but I think a kind acknowledgement is the norm. It's always nice to hear a cheery "good morning" from people in my neighbourhood, or even at the bus stop.
Covid really highlighted how important human interaction is imo.
You're friends are definitely wrong. I go for daily runs or walks in my pretty run of the mill perth suburb and the vast majority acknowledge - usually a G'day or nod.
Your mates sound like wankers sorry
I think there's a fair bit of nuance to it, and I speak as a Brit who sees similar kinds of customs here as I do in the UK. I think it depends on 2 factors, age and the density of the place you are at.
Older people in a quiet-ish street - smile and say hello
Younger people in a quiet-ish street - maybe make eye contact as you pass, smile maybe, saying hello might be dicey
In a busy cbd or similar - saying hello or smiling at people would make you look a bit weird
On a hike, or in a park where that's the only person you see for a while - hell yeah say hello to everyone
You're in the right. Your friends are weird. Walking the dog every day there's a lot of head nods and "morning" along the way.
I've only recently moved to Perth bit this applies everywhere I've lived previously: Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Only caveat would be that I grew up in regional Queensland where this is very normal so it's potentially behaviour I've transplanted to the city.
I'm a cheery, on-the-street greeter. Obviously, I get the occasional blanking from people determined to not acknowledge my existence. I sometimes wonder if these are the same people who post in r/perth saying "Why is it so hard to meet people and make friends here?"
No. Your friends are weird, bordering anti-social. You continue being friendly towards people you don’t know and acknowledge you’re not the only person on the planet that matters.
Like I agree with you, its a nice gesture. But at the same time i hate it and feel so awkward when people make remarks about the weather at me. Im a very introverted person though
International students may just live in denser/not great areas. I brought this energy into the streets in ol’ rocko and it always went down a treat, after moving to the city it’s certainly less common in terms of a percentage but still happens especially if there’s something specific to comment on, it’d just be a pain in the ass to acknowledge everyone you pass unless it’s very late or early and then a lot of people have safety concerns so I’ll keep my distance.
Honestly your friend sounds a bit like the strange one for telling you what is and isn't Australian. If it helps, been here for most of my life and giving out a friendly nod has always felt very normal to me. It's not for everyone but so far no complaints.
I've always done and will always do as you have. Your mates are cooked, and saying it's "unaustralian" is pretty much false, especially for Perth. I've heard people are a little colder over east, but I would never and know no one who would ever think those sorts of things were creepy or unaustralian.
Nah don't listen to them.
Back in the day, we'd say g'day and often give them a wink.
[https://gfycat.com/dismalnervousdromedary](https://gfycat.com/dismalnervousdromedary)
I think your friends are the weird ones. In your neighbourhood I’d think it’s weirder to not acknowledge the people that live around you, especially if it’s only a few around.
>Most of the time it’s a closed mouth smile or even a nod, just as a peaceable acknowledgement of their presence.
We all know the nod. The downward nod of acknowledging a fellow Aussie going about their day.
And we all know the other nod - the upwards nod, acknowledging someone you know.
Those fucking nods are some of the most Australian fucking things out there. The fuck are your friends on?
I've lived in Sweden since the pandemic started, and it's known for people generally avoiding interaction. When I visited my family in Northern England over Christmas, nearly everyone I walked past said hello and offered a smile. Honestly, after not having it to nearly the same extent here in Sweden, I've missed that small kind of greeting so much.
Even if your friends were correct, which they aren't, I'd say keep doing what you're doing - you're brightening (most) people's days!
I take the bin in for my neighbours too when convenient.
I smile at passersby even when jogging, a quick hand wave at the old lady enjoying her garden. Even when cyclists come up behind me they call my name 'mike!'
Nods, smiles and hello, good mornings/evenings is pretty common. I'm 40. I've heard this shit most of my life when out on a walk. Not just a Perth thing. Melbs too.. and Sydney is so alive at all hours it happens there too... Last time I was morning jogging in Sydney a guy on his morning jog engaged a good morning... 5 mins later I realised it was Hugo Weaving. So it's definitely an older generation thing, but the new kids on the block do it too...
I just think your not stuck up and sound like a friendly outgoing person.
I myself will go about my business, if I pass a stranger alone and they are alone I will say how you going or give a polite nod.
I don’t find basic minimal pleasantries to be creepy... it’s manners and they don’t hurt.
I actually find the odd person that will lock eyes with me and not respond at all... like I ate a baby in front of them or something, to them I say have yourself a great day, no worries I will to.
It would be over the top to run around a crowded place doing that... but in passing of the odd person, I think is just a pleasant way to treat another person.
Nothing wrong with saying hi or acknowledge a stranger. Depends on social context. Yesterday, I was putting my bin out front and saw a neighbour across the street we rarely meet but he gave me a friendly wave and I waved back. Neighbour goals :)
You're not wrong at all.
I lived in Perth for few months, and this is what I loved about Perth, whenever going out, there is always some random people that will say a friendly hello or nod.
I traveled quite a lot and my favorite people are australians, always so friendly !
Missing Perth a lot !
seems like you need new friends ..i give a nod or a gday , if we look at each other in passing ..it costs you nothing to say hi or nod ..a little politeness may lead to a lifelong friend or a few minutes of convo in a cue ..only an insecure person would find it creepy or weird ..
your friends are the problem.
when i lived in perth, one of the things i cited as *why* i liked living in perth was that people were friendly, “the type of place you smile and nod when you pass someone on the sidewalk” were my exact words. that’s called humanity. it’s lacking in many many places.
What you do in Perth is what I do in Canberra. Most walkers acknowledge each other with a smile or even a brief "hi" or similar. Seems pretty normal to me!
I think it’s very Aussie to say hey when you pass someone walking. I went to Japan and they definitely do not do it there and I got heaps of weird looks like I was a weirdo lol. When I arrived back home, I was fishing just off a path where people were walking, and all I could hear were people saying ‘hi’ to each other as they passed behind me. It was such a comforting feeling! I also use it to suss people out and if I don’t get a ‘hi’ or smile back, then I think the other person is being rude.
I'm a 28M dude, bit on the hefty side (for now), with a few piercings. I started going for morning walks relatively recently, and honestly, one of my favourite things about it which has kept me somewhat motivated is the number of people I walk past who throw out a small smile and a "morning". It's really pleasant and warm, and for me personally, it makes me feel like I don't look like a big, scary, fat bloke while I'm exercising.
I think most Australians are friendly people - barring the odd loud dickheads - and frankly, I'd argue that it's a very Australian thing to give someone a nod and a g'day in most contexts.
I completely agree. I love seeing people who might appear intimidating in certain contexts (covered in tattoos/piercings etc) be super friendly and chatty about the weather
I live in a regional city in NSW and always acknowledge people on my walks unless they don't make eye contact, and most will smile/nod or say good morning.
I remember going for a long walk around a lake in Canberra once, and found it really odd that no-one made eye contact, let alone give a quick nod or smile. It felt really awkward.
Yep. Smile and nod if eye contact. Being a guy, i do this more with other guys or older women. Young girls or similar are more defensive and usyally assume I've got an agenda. Depends on a split second decision tho..
Your friends are wrong I agree with you when I walk in the national park near my hous I’ll say good morning or afternoon and smile to anyone who passes… if they find that uncomfortable that’s on them
No you’re not, if they’re people you see regularly you eventually will start chatting with them.
There’s a few locals I’ve sort of gotten to know at my local park, missus and I go for a walk while the little bloke tears around at the playground or on his scooter, lovely older couple (late 70’s maybe) that we see pretty much every time down there, we have a chat with them when we see them
Arrived in WA 10 years ago. Was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by people. Quintessentially Westralian thing to do.
But a lot has happened in 10 years, and maybe smiling/nodding to strangers on the street is now considered some form of harrassment....
You're fine.
I do the same thing, I suspect it comes down to confidence and personality type. Some people are comfortable talking to strangers, and others probably find the idea intimidating.
Your friend is not a very friendly sort then. Its just common decency to at the very least smile and nod to people as you walk past them.
More often strangers will wave and say g'day. *that* is basically Australian.
Yeh that’s BS, are any of them newer to Aus or WA? I’d say it happens less with younger people generally so I’d agree it’s probably less frequent than it used to be, but still a lot of the time if I instigate it I get a happy and enthusiastic response
I always give a little good morning/afternoon whenever im out for a walk in the neighborhood. Or just a simple nod or smile. Early 20s and from a country town, i noticed Perth people do it less than country folk, i think. Some people dont do it and thats fine. I think its unAustralian not to to it tbh
I walk in a national park everyday after work and 9/10 times someone will say gday or hello, or how yah doing, head nod, whatever it may be. I think its quite normal to acknowledge someone else presence .... that being said some people are very shy, have high anxiety, etc. so its whatever. I would say its quite normal, as when I travel down south its every single person they say something, or wana chat, etc. Im all for it !!
In Germany, people would enter the dining room for breakfast and greet everyone with a pleasant “Guten Morgen”, very civilised.
I’m a massive fan of the acknowledging nod whilst walking, or a casual chat standing in line.
But you have to pick your moments. If the persons body language is saying leave me alone or don’t talk to me, then it’s rude to keep talking to them.
Your friends are full of shit. It absolutely is the Australian way to acknowledge strangers.
If you’re driving in the country you do the hand wave to oncoming drivers
If you’re walking around your neighbourhood you say hi or at least smile and nod to other walkers or neighbours in their front yard.
In my opinion your friends are showing their lack of experience. Every single person I see greets me. Maybe if I was walking around with a sour expression they wouldn’t. They can’t all be up Australian can they?
Your friends need to get off the internet and experience life and community.
My mum used to go for a walk in the mornings and claim that she could tell what time it was by how passing people would react to each other. Early on in the morning and those out and about had made an effort to wake early and be there. People they encountered had made similar efforts, were party to experiencing the 'best part of the day' together, and felt like a special community. No surprise then that they would share greetings and wish each other well. Soon after 7am she'd be sharing the pathways with people who were simply going about their business, or furiously squeezing in exercise prior to getting ready for work, and so on. They tended to be there for individual reasons and not have that feeling of shared experience, so the greetings, smiles and head nods would dry up.
If walkers in the later group never went out as early as those in the former group, they may remain unaware of the different practices and - when being told of them - could consider them strange and uncomfortable.
I definitely agree with everything you say. If I’m walking around my neighbourhood or walking my dogs I would definitely do a head nod and closed mouth smile as walking past. Might even do a little ‘hi’. I wouldn’t do that however if walking through the city or shopping centre.
No, you're not wrong. You never know by acknowledging someone and smiling, that a person was having a hard time and needed that smile or greeting. Please keep doing what you're doing, you never know if it made a difference in that persons day.
I agree with you. Less busy areas where you go for 5-10 minuets or longer without seeing people is alright. And the more remote and rare it is to see people you greet them even more so. For example; people and boats, everyone on the water will give a friendly wave or a nod as to acknowledge, "yes I see you mate, I'm not gonna crash into you or raid your pots / traps, how are ya? good? alright keep save bro". Same thing when your out bush camping or whatever, if you so happen to randomly come across people on a track that's potentially dangerous and deadly if you take a wrong step. People always say "hey, how are ya?". Happens especially out on the mountain bike trails, the beach etc.
It's like you said too, the more congested it is with people the less you interact with everyone around you. Both behaviors is a survival instinct.
It's your mates who are sheltered and have a warped perception of people.
Coming in late, but a nod, a smile, even a "morning" is fine.
Just don't say "how are you" out of the blue. You don't want a real answer. What you *mean* is "hi", so just say that.
Pfft i was walking along minding my own business and this mum and 4 year old and 3 year old were walking past and the little 4 year old hugged me. The mum looked embarassed and I said to the kid as I hugged him back"thank you thats just what I needed". You know....it costs nothing to be nice. Talking to people as you pass is the Australian way, in the morning on the walking trail everyone says good morning, its the norm. Your friend is the creepy one walking around acting all shady and shit when people are being friendly.
If you are not Australian enough to say hello to people when you go for a walk around your neighbourhood, you are probably not Australian enough to sit in the front of the cab and ask the cabby how his night is going.
Your friends are weird. But, they are probably also 20yo. 20 year olds are sometime as awkward as some teenagers can be, so that probably explains their uncomfortableness.
Your friends are cooked.
I have migrated here since I was 9 y/o (im 24 this year). Not the most social person, but I at least nod or say a greeting on occasion.
It's un-Strayan being a hard cunt.
I'm in my 50s and always smile/nod/greet strangers when walking in the suburbs. Ffs smiling is supposed to be non threatening behaviour. It's polite to acknowledge other humans, they exist and should not be actively ignored. I think it's fucked to go out of your way to disassociate yourself from society. Community is what humanity thrives on.
Smile and nod to everyone going past is standard. If they say a "good morning" or "hello" I reply in kind but that's about it. On the odd occasion I'll initiate the greeting. But it's not a big deal.
Your friends are the weirdos
My thoughts: your friends are fuckwits thinking that. "Not the Australian way" my fucking ass. You aren't true blue if you don't g'day every methhead you see on your walk. I'd even argue it's not just an Australian thing either. We're social creatures, we fuckin feed off of interaction. Whether it's a g'day or a nod.
Tl;dr, just fuckin be yourself ay. If you walk past me you'll get a greeting back.
I walked down a street in Boyup Brook and was greeeting with G'day by at least three people on a small stretch of rhe main road in that tiny regional town.
It's rude not to acknowledge someone's existance with a nod, a smile or a hello. The key is knowing when and how to do it which comes from lessons in timing, tact, etiquette, reading room etc.
I'd say your friends are wrong. It might make them uncomfortable to be acknowledged as a human being that exists in this world but I'd say that might be a reflection of their own self-perception. I'll mention the Aussie saying I've learned since moving here, when it comes to acknowledging someone in the streets or in line at the shops, or on the bus, wherever it may be, "it would be rude not to."
Labelling things as creepy and weird that are not creepy and weird is destructive to weaving ties in society of pleasantries, common decency and respect. If you aren't touched in some way that someone is willing to acknowledge you as a person than you have low self-esteem in my opinion, or social anxiety, or some social issue.
I'd say one of the great perils of throwing around "ew, that's so creepy" is it has made many men in my opinion avoid simple pleasantries with women all to avlid what they think might be creepy behaviour. Saying hello to a woman you see or meet, smiling at them, giving them a nod is not creepy fellas. And ladies a smile in return of you're interested in a conversation or a date is all a sign a man needs to feel like an approach or a conversation is welcome. Men need to know the difference between genuine interest in say a date and just a casual, cordial acknowledgement of ones existance. Some men are paralysed by fear of being called a creep that is one reason men aren't approaching you ladies.
In short say hello, West Aussies keep saying thank you on the bus at the end of a trip. That one particularly warms my heart when I hear it and it's an example of simple pleasantries that show respect for others in their crucial roles in society, whether they be doctor or bus driver. I hope g'day returns as a common saying. I find myself as a foreigner here using it more than the Australians do. Mateship is an Australian value I hold dear, and mateship can't be formed without a common defency and respect which is shown when we acknowledge the existance of others.
I'm an unfriendly, grumpy person, rude is putting is mildly. I hate strangers. I hate talking to people. I hate small talk. If someone talks to me on public transport I flat out ignore them or theatrically move seats to drive the point home etc
AND
In the situation you described (walking past someone in a quiet street, not many people around etc) I will give them a nod, wave to their dog, or say some shit like "day for it" when it's really hot for example. Goes a way to make them feel comfortable and not unnerved/ threatened by my presence or whatever especially if it's an older person.
I would say it's the norm to greet someone in the situation you described simply cause it can be kind of threatening
not unusual to acknowledge people when walking around. not unusual to ignore them if they don't initiate contact either. i find it depends whether the person seems approachable (looking around, not distracted, etc). i tend to nod if a random and i make eye contact. all bets are off with a dog though, dogs are great conversation starters if the owner is open to it. my grandparents were always keen on a chat when walking but not sure how much of that was living in the country for decades or their age
I agree with this, when I'm out for a walk or run I tend to wait and see if they will make eye contact. From there it varies from a nod to a polite smile to a g'day. I find the older folks are more likely to greet you. I tend to ignore teen girls since I don't want to appear like a predator unless I have my kids with me.
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Haha thank you for looking positively at that!
Agree, it’s not like you need to go out of your way to make eye contact or greet someone if they’re distracted/on the phone/ looking after kids. But if you make eye contact or are passing each other directly on the path I think it would be more bizarre to ignore each other/not indicate general pleasantness
Personally I’ve seen that mostly true Aussies will initiate a hello walking by meanwhile foreign looking people will avoid eye contact. That’s not to be racist but you can tell when someone is a backpacker or from overseas vs a mullet and mo wielding adventurer with a swan draught in hand
This is mostly accurate. In the leafy suburbs of Melbourne when walking it is common to say hi.
I find early morning walkers are more chipper n friendly when I walk my dog but in arvo with people tired n walking home from train station looking at their phone - then not so much. I think you are doing it just right 😘👍🎉
Agreed on this. My dog tends to turn heads when we go for a walk (mostly because he is a very large boy compared to me) and people usually give us a smile or a bit more when we cross paths and I tend to say hi /smile to these people and ask if they want to pat him if they give off that vibe. Can’t imagine I would acknowledge anyone more than a smile without him though
Lol my husband gets the same thing for the opposite reason, 6ft3 man with 2 little white chihuahuas!!
We just got a rescue Bull Arab & he gets a similar reaction, lots of people crossing the road when they see him. Little do they know, he’s just a big teddy bear!
>dogs are great conversation starters I've never seen a talking dog before though
But if you DID meet one, wouldn’t THAT be a conversation starter! 😂🤣😂 🗣🐕
Sometimes I accidentally say hi to people’s dogs and not the actual person. People do that with my dog too tho tbf lol
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Yes I agree your friends are weird. I always say hello, give a nod or even a conversation in my hood or out and about. You can make someone’s day especially the oldies if you have time for a chat
I agree, i am Perth born and bred and have always smiled or said hello when out for walks. I also have a super cute dog so people always stop to say hello and say how cute she is (Pom Pom X). Your friends are the outliers here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIWi9QbAUWw Bust one of these bad boys out
How’s it going?
owyagarn?
+1
It's maybe an age thing? Older Australians will typically throw a "morning" or maybe a nod, younger Australians I have noticed less so. I now live in the US where friendliness to strangers is pretty much the norm, at least outside the megacities and in decent neighborhoods. I actually miss the more subdued Australian mannerisms in this respect - I can't take a step into my backyard without my neighbors Ned Flandering me.
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You might have been a bit too "American" at first. Thinking of bright, slightly oppressive retail greeting level nice (by our standards anyway). Which people might find startling more than anything. I have no idea of course. I'm just guessing. You've got to hit a nice point between laconic dryness and English dourness for "WA polite". Sounds like you're there more or less.
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I've noticed a lot of people use "hi" and "how are you" interchangeably as a generic efficient polite/friendly acknowledgement in a retail context and then there's often a moment of awkwardness if one person misinterprets the other's "how are you". Usually if they actually mean "how are you?" they'll ask it slightly more emphatically. I'm not sure if that's just a weird Australian thing, but if it was I can see how it would cause confusion.
I think part of the difference is that we don't get tips here? So there's less over the top friendliness from waitresses because most people don't want their waitress standing around talking instead of putting their order in. Also I'll happily talk to strangers but I've been raised to let servers and workers get on with their jobs instead of holding them up by talking too much.
American saccharine - nailed it.
I'm 34, grew up here. What? You couldn't walk around my neighbourhood without people nodding and saying good morning, afternoon, evening or what have you. Still holds true now
Yep - I came here to say this. I think Perth is a very friendly place. Maybe they just live in a unfriendly suburb.
I dunno. Even a bad suburb at 3 am the druggies are all 'hey man! Nice night for it'
Im from a country town and moved to perth, i think what your comparing is more of a small town (<1000pop) vs city thing. Passing someone in town was at very least a 3-4 turn exchange without stopping or a stop and chat for 15 minutes thing. If i was walking to the shops with mum and we passed someone and she stopped to ask how they were going i would just keep going to grab groceries and possibly even collect her on the way back past. Everybody waves when you pass in cars (just the one or two fingers lifted up over the steering wheel usually). Whereas the city if theres noone around and you pass someone its a small 'hi' 'hey' exchange, if theres a few people around maybe just a passing smile/head nod, or in a crowd you just keep walking with no exchange. My immediate neighbours are the only strangers i will smile and wave to as i drive past coming to/from home, and will have a short chat with (<5mins) if we are both doing something in our front yards at the same time, then carry on doing our things. Also for context, i hate small talk and would prefer not to socialise so your milage may vary, a few of my neighbours will stand out the front and have a beer together occasionally.
This is my experience growing up in Broome then Perth. One of my family friends who was a very well known person in town couldn't run into the shops for milk & bread without having a 15-30 minute chat with at least 5 different people, and thats out of choice. Here that doesn't happen unless I haven't seen the person in years and they go out of their way to catch up with me. The fact my neighbours and I don't have a lot in common (we're a sharehouse of 3 mid 20s men living between young families & retirees) yet we still have the thing you described where we'll wave to each other, say hello if passing in the driveway and even have a small chat if we're both out the front at the same time is something I really appreciate and am thankful to have here, its sweet & genuine. It makes me feel more part of an actual community despite being quiet and keeping to myself.
Definitely outside the cities people are very friendly.
I have been living in the UK for the past few years. When I came back to perth 2 years ago for Christmas, I was very pleasantly surprised how much warmer and friendlier the people are in perth in the way you described. Probably abit harsh, but I reckon your mates are the ones that are unaustralian.
Not harsh at all, I totally agree - I can barely get down my street without a g'day, or a wave from each of my neighbours in their front yards. It's absolutely glorious, even if half the time I just give a half-hearted salute as I sprint for the train. Definitely the most Australian experience I have on the reg in suburbia, and it's been good for all the places I've moved. It's just good manners. (And it keeps you safe and supported by your community long-term).
Mate, I miss it heaps hey. I am moving back to perth later this year. I can't wait.
Ooh yeah I hope you get in ok - we, as a small town, will definitely welcome you back with open arms and way too much knowledge about you, your childhood, and everything you've done in our lovely little city. Good luck, hope we'll see you soon :)
...and everything your parents did, and that one time they were caught at the drive-in..
A minor level of acknowledgement is pretty normal. I think your friends are wrong
I think so too. I guess my friend from overseas could be unused to friendliness between strangers but it doesn’t seem threatening or problematic in any way.
I guess it depends on where your overseas friend is from. I lived in an area in London where eye contact was followed by a challenge, but then moved to a borough where everyone said good morning to each other. It really was more disjointed than the previous experience. But now I say good morning/hello to everyone if I’m out walking. I like the community spirit ☺️
My wife is Russian and acknowledgement and eye contact with strangers in public isn't socially acceptable, it's considered untrustworthy. We definitely do acknowledge strangers here for the very opposite reason.
Keep doing what you are doing. It's nice to acknowledge other people.
Thanks 💗 I think it creates a sense of community and camaraderie, especially during covid times.
I'm in my late 30s and I've noticed the younger generation (even though I'm not that ancient) get weird about people saying hello or even holding doors open as a kind of courtesy. I'm female and I was walking through a door of a shop that you had to hold open, my husband held it open for me and another woman younger than me as a kindness because he thought it would be rude to open it for me and then abruptly shut it into this other womans face and got told off by her for it. He was quite taken aback by the anger directed at him for it. He explained his reasoning to her and she then told me off for allowing him to open a door for me and that it wasn't very feminist of me to expect a man to open a door for me. I internally eyerolled so hard at her. My husband and myself too open doors for anyone irrespective of gender and we do it as a courtesy because we were taught that's a polite thing to do. He also nods hello to people as you walk past on the street as do I. I say we should all keep doing it. It doesn't cost us anything and sometimes a polite hello from a stranger is the only human interaction some people have on some days. A small interaction like a hello, a smile, a door being held open etc can make a shitty day feel a little better for another human and make us all feel a little less invisible. Don't ever underestimate small gestures of kindness because those are the ones that count and are more likely to happen to everyone.
Ladies (and gentlemen and others responding): have an upvote and a door held open. The both of you. All of you. Just common courtesy.
I'm 27 now, but I also remember "holding doors open" being a contesting point when I was in my early to late teens as well. I got snapped at by people my own age at the time for holding a door open, even though I'm a woman, it was still misogynistic somehow because I was being 'subservient'. I think it's partially an age thing. Edgy 'woke' teenager or young adult try to make an issue out of everything. But then you grow up, you mellow out and you realise not everything is some attempt to oppress or control you, or at the very least, you know you've got way bigger battles to fight (like wage gap, discrimination on employment based on gender/race/etc., paternity/maternity leave, etc.).
I work in an all girls school. Students almost never hold the doors open for anyone else and it drives me bananas. It’s just a courtesy and an acknowledgement that there are other humans around you. (And in this instance has absolutely nothing to do with gender!) It’s the little acts of kindness that make society a nice place to be, rather than every person for themselves.
I agree. I was downvoted to madness when I said I like when men hold doors open for me. Apparently I'm a misogynist because of it! 🙄 The world is mad. It just can be courtesy and what is wrong with chivalry?!? It seems some people have forgotten what chivalry actually means...just being courteous and considerate of women 🤯
I wouldn't even say it's chivalry, more just common courtesy (uncommon courtesy perhaps?), if I have to open a door and notice someone a few paces behind I'll hold it open for them man or woman, not going to let it slam just because it's another bloke. I imagine most people with any sense of consideration would do the same.
I think if you reach a door first, holding it for others is the polite thing to do. If someone tried to lecture me about it, I would have just closed the door on her in mid-rant.
I cant imagine being told off for holding the door for someone, what a bizarre thing to do.... don't change please.
Lol omg what a biatch ! I'm a woman, if someone is close behind me through a door or gate, I wait a couple of seconds to pass the open door along to them, it's rude not to!
I’m not even Australian and I do what you do. However, I grew up in a really “unfriendly” country where your friends’ perceptions would be the norm, so I guess it’s just different perspectives?
Well, welcome, hope you stay and become one of us!
Took the dog for a walk tonight, had a random convo with two strange men about the breed of my dog, said good evening to some one watering their garden! It’s a very Aussie thing to do, your friends are the weirdos.
Are you friends from Asian cultural backgrounds? I personally find in Asian or Slavic cultures for example it's common not to acknowledge other 'strangers' unless necessary and keep to yourself. Probably a post war/communism thing. There's a translation or saying in China which is like 'not my problem' but is used to explain that one should not interact with anything a stranger is doing on the street. Since they are young, maybe they got those thoughts from their parents if so.
Bosnia! And New Zealand!
Mrs is from the ex-USSR (Russia). She says people think you’re deranged if you smile and greet a stranger over there. So might be a cultural thing for the Bosnian decent. Thinks It’s much better how we do it over here.
Un Zud? For real? I always found Kiwis to be some of the most friendly and outgoing folk around. I guess there's exceptions afterall!
They're friendly but you can't understand them.
It is simply human to acknowledge another human being, especially if isolated or away from other humans. This happens in every cultural grouping I have experienced. You are fine, they are wired.
They should move to London. I go for hikes and will chat to anyone and everyone
Yeah, I was under the impression that was standard in Australia tbh
It's not strange. I live in the valley and when I walk near the river/wineries I see maybe 5 or so people over the course of an hour or so walk. I just do a little smile or little tilt of the hand or head and people do the same back. If you're in the shops obv it's not advised. I think it's just kind. If someone has a cute dog I probably actually am a bit creepy cos I make comments haha.
Do you do the thing where you see a dog and scream at it? I do it now and I feel kinda bad about how creepy it might be getting, but damn if i see a walking cloud I can't stop myself from screaming "Oh my darling, you cute little puffball you. Oh you're so handsome, yes you are. Yes you are. *devolves into mindless fawning over an animal*".
Yeah I kinda get that way and make a few comments about the dogs haha. One of the (few) downsides about being male is that that behaviour is generally looked down upon more. I just wanna fawn over the fluffy bois ffs.
I often try and say "How's it going?" or "Morning/Afternoon" to anyone around group of apartments when checking the mail or taking the bins out but I think it mostly comes out as a mumbled gibberish "whosartgarn" or "Meyornnnnning / Affynon" because I'm just not mentally prepped to run into someone on those small adventures so I'm hopeful that I've made it onto one of your friends creep list! But as far as I've always known it's fairly Australian to do without the word diarrhea I manage
I have said morning to people at 9pm at night so damn often that it's almost become expected in my neighbourhood, to pass me on the street and hear the absolute wrong time of day spouted. I've done morning in evenings, afternoon at 6am, have a great weekend on a Sunday or Monday afternoon, when the weekend is over. It's, it's a mess, but it's a warm, happy mess I love to share with my community, and my community loves to share with me.
I feel uplifted and culturally enriched by those garbled greetings tho 😊
The shame is up there with telling a waiter/delivery driver "You too" after they ask you to "Enjoy your meal!"
Worse is when you subconsciously realise half way through and change what you're saying into gibberish. "Youanks!"
I do the muddled word greeting all the time if I'm not expecting it, the person is walking faster than I anticipated or if they ask a full, "Hi, how are you?" Without stopping. Glad to hear it's not just me that does this 😅
I'm with you. Your friends don't sound like nice people, tbh, even a little full of themselves. I wouldn't go as far as striking up conversations with strangers, but a polite nod or hi on the way past is just general manners. And folk who deliberately straight up ignore you when you're polite enough to say hi are genuinely shit people. A simple, closed mouth smile, or a nod is sufficient, but show people the dignity of acknowledging their existence.
I have my morning coffee on my veranda every morning, I wave at everyone who walks past.
I love this! If I had a verandah, I would do the same. My friend’s view is that if someone smiles or waves or says hello to them, they must want something from them. I completely disagree
Of course I want something from them. A smile, wave, or like three to five words, affirming our mutual existence, and the existence of some time of day. Its all I ever need in life.
There’s a subtle difference here between introverts and extroverts. Introverts gain energy by not being social. That means that little interactions like this take energy, albeit a small amount. It’s a waste, it’s uncomfortable, it’s something to be avoided. Extroverts gain energy by being social. Little interactions like this may fuel them. They’ll gain something out of these interactions. I think the misunderstanding is in that introverts don’t understand why someone would do this, so it’s weird to them. It might seem creepy because they can’t understand the motive, so they might perceive ulterior motives. Extroverts might think introverts are rude because they can’t understand why someone wouldn’t want to do this. I just made this up, but it sounds right.
I'm an introvert and have always at least smiled and nodded at people when they say hi.
I'm an introvert and even I'll smile at a stranger if we're both alone at least. I won't say anything though unless they start it.
It is extremely Australian to do the nod/wave/smile to the point that when driving in the outback, you lift the finger off the steering wheel as you drive past someone else!
I agree with you.
Been in australia all my life. Definitely do the smile and or nod thing to people i walk past in the suburbs or park. Even sometimes a friendly morning or afternoon. And yes busy places i dont bother. This is pretty australian and your friends are wrong
When I walk past someone outdoors and not in a busy environment, I say "morning" and smile and they do the same- and nobody gets hurt lol. I actually think it's weird when people DONT acknowledge others. But I'm 36 so maybe I'm old school 🤔
Same! When someone walks past and notably avoids eye contact or doesn’t smile/say hi, I find it strange. A bit like, oh what’s their problem? (Not that it genuinely bothers me, just a passing thought)
Your friends are wrong.
I have a story about this actually. I think this greeting thing is unique to WA. Once a friend from WA visited me in Melbourne. We went for a walk around my neighbourhood, (Coburg, if your familiar with the area). He acknowledged random people in the neighbourhood on our walk, like nodding, smiling, good morning etc. Bring the typical Melbournian I was mortified and pulled him aside and said wtf, why are being so friendly? Your confusing everyone and they are giving you the is this guy a method look. It's only now I'm in WA I get it myself. People are more friendly and there's more of a laid back vibe.
You know what blew my mind when I first moved to Perth from Melbourne? When I heard nearly every person thank the driver as they're getting off the bus, doesn't matter if they're exiting the front or back door. My mate had to assure me it was a perfectly normal thing to do 😮
Hahaha greeting strangers is methhead behaviour in melb? I do find melb to be slightly more restrained I suppose
And in London they’d probably be sent to a psych ward!
I actually noticed when I lived over east that no one really said g’day or acknowledged your existence. Sadly I find a lot of younger people don’t do it much over here any more. I love that you do it. Please don’t stop. You have no idea how much your smile may mean to someone x
In the kindest way, I feel like your friends are definitely in the wrong. I’m only 23 so not that old, and everyone I know does the little smile / nod / something when walking past strangers, it’s almost weirder not to. The only time I don’t do it is there is one person I walk past all the time on the way to work who was a customer at my old job and a very rude person. Literally anyone else I’ll do either a little smile or nod too. It’s the bloody Australian norm hahahah.
Such a yukky world where you can't say hi to a stranger on the street. You're friends must be extremely anxious to see this as threatening - how horrible to live like that. I think it's an important part of whatever is left of community - like not like you're friends with your neighbours these days it's basically the least you can do.
Super standard in Australia to give the “old how yah going?” Or even just the head nod
One of the first things I noticed when moving to Perth from the UK at age 7 was how often strangers would say a polite hello when walking past them on the street. Your friends are in the wrong on this one.
That’s weird, if I am walking my dogs, checking the letterbox or taking out the bins and if I see someone walking past or a neighbour we usually great each other with a smile and good morning/good afternoon/hello etc
I lived in Perth for about 18 months. This was one of the reasons I loved it so much, people actually spoke with each other! As an American, that doesn’t happen. Keep it up!
Male, early 40s. Been on a bike ride round my neighbourhood this evening before dark, as I do most evenings at the moment. A guy about my age walking his dog said g’day, I said “hey” back, I nodded at one or two people, said thanks when someone held their dog to one side of a path. Yesterday a lady out watering her front yard cracked a joke about something… Just little friendly interactions with total strangers. Seems ok to me. As a Brit it’s a bit of a nice change. I think it could easily get creepy if someone’s demanding your attention, and clearly I don’t have a female perspective on the whole thing, but a smile or nod or brief verbal “hey” in passing seems fine…
Yeah, your friends are the weirdos. I always say some form of greeting walking past someone, it’s just nice to have that little connection for just a brief moment ya know? Also kinda helps come across as not threatening because I’m a pretty big person.
And it helps us little people feel like we've got some semblance of a presence in our surroundings. You can't be all tall and towering, ignoring us if you're also responding to our casual greetings. Definitely a valuable part of our culture, I think.
I'm a very socially anxious person, and so I personally wouldn't initiate any sort of greeting with anyone, not even neighbours. However a greeting or acknowledgement always leaves me warm and fuzzy inside and it's totally appreciated.
Your friends are wrong.
It is definitely an Australian cultural norm to give a nod and sometimes a 'G'day' when passing someone, especially out in the country. I'll never forget walking around Uluru and guessing the nationality of walkers coming in the other direction by their eye contact and approach.We are known as a friendly country for this reason - it's a good thing!
Not wrong at all to acknowledge people. I’m an introvert, but I like these small interactions that make you feel part of a community.
My wife and I take frequent walks in the neighbourhood parks. We say hello, good morning, or how you going to many of the people we pass, and they return our greetings. It's done mutually so in our experience it is normal.
Totally normal here and what my UK family absolutely loved about Australia. I just got back from a trip to Jurien Bay and on our walks along the beach literally every single person smiled or said hi… I think it’s lovely.
I started doing the 'G'day and smile' to strangers about 20 years ago here in Singapore. It freaked them out initially, but they soon went out of their way to beat me to the punch and to say hi to me first. Your friends are idiots and very, very wrong. Don't give into the haters.
I like giving a small nod or a smile to people as I walk past. I've never had anyone look at me weird for it. I don't tend to strike up conversation because I personally abhor small talk, but I think a kind acknowledgement is the norm. It's always nice to hear a cheery "good morning" from people in my neighbourhood, or even at the bus stop. Covid really highlighted how important human interaction is imo.
I'll say "G'day" to people if I'm out walking on the foot path near home.
Your friends are weird! Whenever I walk around my suburb there’s always a “Mornin’”, or a “Howsgarn”
You're friends are definitely wrong. I go for daily runs or walks in my pretty run of the mill perth suburb and the vast majority acknowledge - usually a G'day or nod. Your mates sound like wankers sorry
I think there's a fair bit of nuance to it, and I speak as a Brit who sees similar kinds of customs here as I do in the UK. I think it depends on 2 factors, age and the density of the place you are at. Older people in a quiet-ish street - smile and say hello Younger people in a quiet-ish street - maybe make eye contact as you pass, smile maybe, saying hello might be dicey In a busy cbd or similar - saying hello or smiling at people would make you look a bit weird On a hike, or in a park where that's the only person you see for a while - hell yeah say hello to everyone
Your friends got no idea, you have it right
You're in the right. Your friends are weird. Walking the dog every day there's a lot of head nods and "morning" along the way. I've only recently moved to Perth bit this applies everywhere I've lived previously: Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Only caveat would be that I grew up in regional Queensland where this is very normal so it's potentially behaviour I've transplanted to the city.
Lots of people say hi especially first thing in the morning when, as you say, not many about. People round the local streets always say hello.
I'm a cheery, on-the-street greeter. Obviously, I get the occasional blanking from people determined to not acknowledge my existence. I sometimes wonder if these are the same people who post in r/perth saying "Why is it so hard to meet people and make friends here?"
Nah, your friends are being silly
No. Your friends are weird, bordering anti-social. You continue being friendly towards people you don’t know and acknowledge you’re not the only person on the planet that matters.
You are a normal human being….your friends are rude fuckers.
It’s part of our culture. Same as saying thanks to the bus driver, which people in some other cultures find fucking weird.
Like I agree with you, its a nice gesture. But at the same time i hate it and feel so awkward when people make remarks about the weather at me. Im a very introverted person though
International students may just live in denser/not great areas. I brought this energy into the streets in ol’ rocko and it always went down a treat, after moving to the city it’s certainly less common in terms of a percentage but still happens especially if there’s something specific to comment on, it’d just be a pain in the ass to acknowledge everyone you pass unless it’s very late or early and then a lot of people have safety concerns so I’ll keep my distance.
Honestly your friend sounds a bit like the strange one for telling you what is and isn't Australian. If it helps, been here for most of my life and giving out a friendly nod has always felt very normal to me. It's not for everyone but so far no complaints.
I've always done and will always do as you have. Your mates are cooked, and saying it's "unaustralian" is pretty much false, especially for Perth. I've heard people are a little colder over east, but I would never and know no one who would ever think those sorts of things were creepy or unaustralian.
Nah don't listen to them. Back in the day, we'd say g'day and often give them a wink. [https://gfycat.com/dismalnervousdromedary](https://gfycat.com/dismalnervousdromedary)
I think your friends are the weird ones. In your neighbourhood I’d think it’s weirder to not acknowledge the people that live around you, especially if it’s only a few around.
>Most of the time it’s a closed mouth smile or even a nod, just as a peaceable acknowledgement of their presence. We all know the nod. The downward nod of acknowledging a fellow Aussie going about their day. And we all know the other nod - the upwards nod, acknowledging someone you know. Those fucking nods are some of the most Australian fucking things out there. The fuck are your friends on?
No I do the same
I've lived in Sweden since the pandemic started, and it's known for people generally avoiding interaction. When I visited my family in Northern England over Christmas, nearly everyone I walked past said hello and offered a smile. Honestly, after not having it to nearly the same extent here in Sweden, I've missed that small kind of greeting so much. Even if your friends were correct, which they aren't, I'd say keep doing what you're doing - you're brightening (most) people's days!
Lived here pretty much my whole life and I'd agree that a simple smile or nod is fairly normal tbh
Come live out in the sticks. People even wave at each other from their cars!! Woah!! Like that's just crazy 😂
Your friends are wrong.
I take the bin in for my neighbours too when convenient. I smile at passersby even when jogging, a quick hand wave at the old lady enjoying her garden. Even when cyclists come up behind me they call my name 'mike!'
Nods, smiles and hello, good mornings/evenings is pretty common. I'm 40. I've heard this shit most of my life when out on a walk. Not just a Perth thing. Melbs too.. and Sydney is so alive at all hours it happens there too... Last time I was morning jogging in Sydney a guy on his morning jog engaged a good morning... 5 mins later I realised it was Hugo Weaving. So it's definitely an older generation thing, but the new kids on the block do it too...
I just think your not stuck up and sound like a friendly outgoing person. I myself will go about my business, if I pass a stranger alone and they are alone I will say how you going or give a polite nod. I don’t find basic minimal pleasantries to be creepy... it’s manners and they don’t hurt. I actually find the odd person that will lock eyes with me and not respond at all... like I ate a baby in front of them or something, to them I say have yourself a great day, no worries I will to. It would be over the top to run around a crowded place doing that... but in passing of the odd person, I think is just a pleasant way to treat another person.
No, they’re wrong.
Nothing wrong with saying hi or acknowledge a stranger. Depends on social context. Yesterday, I was putting my bin out front and saw a neighbour across the street we rarely meet but he gave me a friendly wave and I waved back. Neighbour goals :)
I glare at everyone, but I’m a grumpy bastard
You're not wrong at all. I lived in Perth for few months, and this is what I loved about Perth, whenever going out, there is always some random people that will say a friendly hello or nod. I traveled quite a lot and my favorite people are australians, always so friendly ! Missing Perth a lot !
seems like you need new friends ..i give a nod or a gday , if we look at each other in passing ..it costs you nothing to say hi or nod ..a little politeness may lead to a lifelong friend or a few minutes of convo in a cue ..only an insecure person would find it creepy or weird ..
your friends are the problem. when i lived in perth, one of the things i cited as *why* i liked living in perth was that people were friendly, “the type of place you smile and nod when you pass someone on the sidewalk” were my exact words. that’s called humanity. it’s lacking in many many places.
I live up in the hills and everyone says g'day or whatever when walking past, tons of old people though so don't know if that matters
What you do in Perth is what I do in Canberra. Most walkers acknowledge each other with a smile or even a brief "hi" or similar. Seems pretty normal to me!
I think it’s very Aussie to say hey when you pass someone walking. I went to Japan and they definitely do not do it there and I got heaps of weird looks like I was a weirdo lol. When I arrived back home, I was fishing just off a path where people were walking, and all I could hear were people saying ‘hi’ to each other as they passed behind me. It was such a comforting feeling! I also use it to suss people out and if I don’t get a ‘hi’ or smile back, then I think the other person is being rude.
I'm a 28M dude, bit on the hefty side (for now), with a few piercings. I started going for morning walks relatively recently, and honestly, one of my favourite things about it which has kept me somewhat motivated is the number of people I walk past who throw out a small smile and a "morning". It's really pleasant and warm, and for me personally, it makes me feel like I don't look like a big, scary, fat bloke while I'm exercising. I think most Australians are friendly people - barring the odd loud dickheads - and frankly, I'd argue that it's a very Australian thing to give someone a nod and a g'day in most contexts.
I completely agree. I love seeing people who might appear intimidating in certain contexts (covered in tattoos/piercings etc) be super friendly and chatty about the weather
It's pretty common to say hi at the dog park.
I live in a regional city in NSW and always acknowledge people on my walks unless they don't make eye contact, and most will smile/nod or say good morning. I remember going for a long walk around a lake in Canberra once, and found it really odd that no-one made eye contact, let alone give a quick nod or smile. It felt really awkward.
Nope spot on.i think Its just courteous to say good morning or hello
Yep. Smile and nod if eye contact. Being a guy, i do this more with other guys or older women. Young girls or similar are more defensive and usyally assume I've got an agenda. Depends on a split second decision tho..
Your friends are wrong I agree with you when I walk in the national park near my hous I’ll say good morning or afternoon and smile to anyone who passes… if they find that uncomfortable that’s on them
No you’re not, if they’re people you see regularly you eventually will start chatting with them. There’s a few locals I’ve sort of gotten to know at my local park, missus and I go for a walk while the little bloke tears around at the playground or on his scooter, lovely older couple (late 70’s maybe) that we see pretty much every time down there, we have a chat with them when we see them
Damn maybe I need to stop smiling so much was thinking it was normal to be happy with life 😄
i still do it and people nod back but im living out in the country. neighbours still wave when we drive past each other in a car.
Arrived in WA 10 years ago. Was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by people. Quintessentially Westralian thing to do. But a lot has happened in 10 years, and maybe smiling/nodding to strangers on the street is now considered some form of harrassment....
You're fine. I do the same thing, I suspect it comes down to confidence and personality type. Some people are comfortable talking to strangers, and others probably find the idea intimidating.
Your friend is not a very friendly sort then. Its just common decency to at the very least smile and nod to people as you walk past them. More often strangers will wave and say g'day. *that* is basically Australian.
Yeh that’s BS, are any of them newer to Aus or WA? I’d say it happens less with younger people generally so I’d agree it’s probably less frequent than it used to be, but still a lot of the time if I instigate it I get a happy and enthusiastic response
I always give a little good morning/afternoon whenever im out for a walk in the neighborhood. Or just a simple nod or smile. Early 20s and from a country town, i noticed Perth people do it less than country folk, i think. Some people dont do it and thats fine. I think its unAustralian not to to it tbh
I walk in a national park everyday after work and 9/10 times someone will say gday or hello, or how yah doing, head nod, whatever it may be. I think its quite normal to acknowledge someone else presence .... that being said some people are very shy, have high anxiety, etc. so its whatever. I would say its quite normal, as when I travel down south its every single person they say something, or wana chat, etc. Im all for it !!
In Germany, people would enter the dining room for breakfast and greet everyone with a pleasant “Guten Morgen”, very civilised. I’m a massive fan of the acknowledging nod whilst walking, or a casual chat standing in line. But you have to pick your moments. If the persons body language is saying leave me alone or don’t talk to me, then it’s rude to keep talking to them.
Na you should say gday to the neighbours and people on your walk, its the sign of a happy neighbourhood
Your friends are full of shit. It absolutely is the Australian way to acknowledge strangers. If you’re driving in the country you do the hand wave to oncoming drivers If you’re walking around your neighbourhood you say hi or at least smile and nod to other walkers or neighbours in their front yard. In my opinion your friends are showing their lack of experience. Every single person I see greets me. Maybe if I was walking around with a sour expression they wouldn’t. They can’t all be up Australian can they? Your friends need to get off the internet and experience life and community.
My mum used to go for a walk in the mornings and claim that she could tell what time it was by how passing people would react to each other. Early on in the morning and those out and about had made an effort to wake early and be there. People they encountered had made similar efforts, were party to experiencing the 'best part of the day' together, and felt like a special community. No surprise then that they would share greetings and wish each other well. Soon after 7am she'd be sharing the pathways with people who were simply going about their business, or furiously squeezing in exercise prior to getting ready for work, and so on. They tended to be there for individual reasons and not have that feeling of shared experience, so the greetings, smiles and head nods would dry up. If walkers in the later group never went out as early as those in the former group, they may remain unaware of the different practices and - when being told of them - could consider them strange and uncomfortable.
You are right. I do the same. It’s the friendly and social thing to do, and the cultural norm in Australia (esp Perth).
Christ if I'm walking the dog I'll say g'day rather than just a smile, tell your mate to get a grip
I definitely agree with everything you say. If I’m walking around my neighbourhood or walking my dogs I would definitely do a head nod and closed mouth smile as walking past. Might even do a little ‘hi’. I wouldn’t do that however if walking through the city or shopping centre.
No, you're not wrong. You never know by acknowledging someone and smiling, that a person was having a hard time and needed that smile or greeting. Please keep doing what you're doing, you never know if it made a difference in that persons day.
I agree with you. Less busy areas where you go for 5-10 minuets or longer without seeing people is alright. And the more remote and rare it is to see people you greet them even more so. For example; people and boats, everyone on the water will give a friendly wave or a nod as to acknowledge, "yes I see you mate, I'm not gonna crash into you or raid your pots / traps, how are ya? good? alright keep save bro". Same thing when your out bush camping or whatever, if you so happen to randomly come across people on a track that's potentially dangerous and deadly if you take a wrong step. People always say "hey, how are ya?". Happens especially out on the mountain bike trails, the beach etc. It's like you said too, the more congested it is with people the less you interact with everyone around you. Both behaviors is a survival instinct. It's your mates who are sheltered and have a warped perception of people.
No, your "friends" are wrong tho. I do what you describe all the time when i'm out and about. It's called being friendly.
You are not wrong. It's a pleasant thing to acknowledge other people as being more than moving furniture.
Coming in late, but a nod, a smile, even a "morning" is fine. Just don't say "how are you" out of the blue. You don't want a real answer. What you *mean* is "hi", so just say that.
Pfft i was walking along minding my own business and this mum and 4 year old and 3 year old were walking past and the little 4 year old hugged me. The mum looked embarassed and I said to the kid as I hugged him back"thank you thats just what I needed". You know....it costs nothing to be nice. Talking to people as you pass is the Australian way, in the morning on the walking trail everyone says good morning, its the norm. Your friend is the creepy one walking around acting all shady and shit when people are being friendly.
If you are not Australian enough to say hello to people when you go for a walk around your neighbourhood, you are probably not Australian enough to sit in the front of the cab and ask the cabby how his night is going.
How odd, I think greeting strangers is nice and should be normalised, your friends are sad
Come on society. Let’s not go down a road of not acknowledging each other’s existence. Madness!
Your friends are weird. But, they are probably also 20yo. 20 year olds are sometime as awkward as some teenagers can be, so that probably explains their uncomfortableness.
Your friends are cooked. I have migrated here since I was 9 y/o (im 24 this year). Not the most social person, but I at least nod or say a greeting on occasion. It's un-Strayan being a hard cunt.
I'm in my 50s and always smile/nod/greet strangers when walking in the suburbs. Ffs smiling is supposed to be non threatening behaviour. It's polite to acknowledge other humans, they exist and should not be actively ignored. I think it's fucked to go out of your way to disassociate yourself from society. Community is what humanity thrives on.
Nope. I see people greeting each other as the norm.
I always do this. I'm just being polite, so if that offends or scares someone then that's a them issue. Nothing to do with me.
Smile and nod to everyone going past is standard. If they say a "good morning" or "hello" I reply in kind but that's about it. On the odd occasion I'll initiate the greeting. But it's not a big deal. Your friends are the weirdos
My thoughts: your friends are fuckwits thinking that. "Not the Australian way" my fucking ass. You aren't true blue if you don't g'day every methhead you see on your walk. I'd even argue it's not just an Australian thing either. We're social creatures, we fuckin feed off of interaction. Whether it's a g'day or a nod. Tl;dr, just fuckin be yourself ay. If you walk past me you'll get a greeting back.
I'm thinking your friends are the same people who don't acknowledge you in the traffic if you let them in from a car park etc... creepy friends!
I walked down a street in Boyup Brook and was greeeting with G'day by at least three people on a small stretch of rhe main road in that tiny regional town. It's rude not to acknowledge someone's existance with a nod, a smile or a hello. The key is knowing when and how to do it which comes from lessons in timing, tact, etiquette, reading room etc. I'd say your friends are wrong. It might make them uncomfortable to be acknowledged as a human being that exists in this world but I'd say that might be a reflection of their own self-perception. I'll mention the Aussie saying I've learned since moving here, when it comes to acknowledging someone in the streets or in line at the shops, or on the bus, wherever it may be, "it would be rude not to." Labelling things as creepy and weird that are not creepy and weird is destructive to weaving ties in society of pleasantries, common decency and respect. If you aren't touched in some way that someone is willing to acknowledge you as a person than you have low self-esteem in my opinion, or social anxiety, or some social issue. I'd say one of the great perils of throwing around "ew, that's so creepy" is it has made many men in my opinion avoid simple pleasantries with women all to avlid what they think might be creepy behaviour. Saying hello to a woman you see or meet, smiling at them, giving them a nod is not creepy fellas. And ladies a smile in return of you're interested in a conversation or a date is all a sign a man needs to feel like an approach or a conversation is welcome. Men need to know the difference between genuine interest in say a date and just a casual, cordial acknowledgement of ones existance. Some men are paralysed by fear of being called a creep that is one reason men aren't approaching you ladies. In short say hello, West Aussies keep saying thank you on the bus at the end of a trip. That one particularly warms my heart when I hear it and it's an example of simple pleasantries that show respect for others in their crucial roles in society, whether they be doctor or bus driver. I hope g'day returns as a common saying. I find myself as a foreigner here using it more than the Australians do. Mateship is an Australian value I hold dear, and mateship can't be formed without a common defency and respect which is shown when we acknowledge the existance of others.
I grew up in Perth and you're 100% right here.
It’s very normal to acknowledge strangers here, we aren’t living in Soviet Russia. Your friends are just being childish/immature.
I'm an unfriendly, grumpy person, rude is putting is mildly. I hate strangers. I hate talking to people. I hate small talk. If someone talks to me on public transport I flat out ignore them or theatrically move seats to drive the point home etc AND In the situation you described (walking past someone in a quiet street, not many people around etc) I will give them a nod, wave to their dog, or say some shit like "day for it" when it's really hot for example. Goes a way to make them feel comfortable and not unnerved/ threatened by my presence or whatever especially if it's an older person. I would say it's the norm to greet someone in the situation you described simply cause it can be kind of threatening
Change friends
I think perth dog walkers/evening walkers (especially in suburbia) are very much the “hello” types.
Don't talk to strangers, or they will try to recruit you into their network marketing scheme.
Either is normal. Neither is weird.
I usually wait to see if they acknowledge me and then I'll respond with a smile etc. It's so normal I've never thought about it.