Unfriendly

One of my workmates moved here from the States about a year ago and one of the things that he has had to adjust to is the, as he says, lack of a friendliness at work and outside of work.

I was quick to defend my fellow Perthians but upon hearing further his side of the story, I began to think that maybe we were not as friendly as we thought.

Yes, we are friendly in the sense that we greet each other and we are extremely courteous and caring in our ways.

But we form cliques. I mean, how often do we meet someone for the first time and ask them out for a casual catch up after? Do we ever welcome a stranger in our midsts? How much do we really care about how the other person is doing?

Which is why when another workmate of mine [also from the States] suggested catching up for lunch upon meeting me for the first time, I was not sure that I heard her right.

But it was fun catching up with her. It was casual and relaxed. Like heading to an old friend's house.

I have also realised that there are only two people that I know who I feel comfortable enough [and am welcomed to] to head over and hang out all day at their place and stay till late or even until the next day.

I have to admit that I felt terrible that evening, after contemplating on what he said. Felt like I had missed out on something great. Why is it such an effort to organise a catch up with a friend? Why do we bother about how well we know the person or how involved we want to be or stress about what to talk about?

I think it is time to change. Time for me to move out from the cave and see the sun for the first time.

Perfect timing too since I am moving to a fabulous place and am keen to invite people over to share the love.

Here's to stepping outside the box.