I met up with a friend for lunch today in South Melbourne, and just as we were heading back to work Penny spotted a sign that looked rather like a speed limit sign, but was green and actually said "2 smiles per hour zone". I couldn't help but smile... they do say they are infectious after all.
(Image from the Port Phillip Website - taken at Lunar Park, St Kilda)
It made me curious though, so have just checked it out on the City of Port Phillip*
website and apparently it is a whole scheme geared towards 'bringing the community together'. It was on the back of some research that found that people wished the community was friendlier in general, and that people would say 'hi' (or, in aussie speak, 'g'day') as they passed in the street. They are trying to promote friendliness in an effort to increase a sense of community pride and overall community-wide mental health.
Here's a snippet from the website I linked above:
"Smiles are free. They are simple. You can do it straight away as you've already had lots of practice. You don't need a funding grant. You don't need to know another language. You don't need to have a long-term relationship with someone - smiles can test the water. Try smiling at someone you feel safe with first.
Smiling and friendly behaviour is contagious. They can boost people's sense of pride, safety and enjoyment of their neighbourhood. They can start new friendships. They can brighten someone's day. They can break the ice and build good relationships in your street. You never know when you might need someone's help or have to negotiate with them over something prickly. Physiologically, smiling has well documented health benefits.
Smiles ask for a small investment, but offer a big return."
As Newton Faulkner said: "People should smile more". What can I say? I agree. Of course, people will say that the money could have been better spent, and maybe it could have been, but I think it's a quirky, interesting and refreshingly simplistic and original idea.
* The City of Port Phillip is the area that encompasses those suburbs of Inner Melbourne which are closest to Port Phillip, including Port Melbourne, South Melbourne, Albert Park and St Kilda. I didn't know that... they say you learn something new everyday, so there you go!
