The Power of Saying "Good Morning"

Why Connection With Neighbours and Locals Matters

A few morning ago just after 7 a.m., I was walking along Brighton beach. The sun was across the water, and the water was sparkly—so much nicer than the of rain we’ve had. I was happily lost in admiring it all when a woman walked up behind me.

Now, I’ll be honest: I’d stopped saying “good morning” to strangers on the beach a while back. Too many times people had looked at me like I’d lost the plot—blank stares, stern looks, or that little shake of the head that clearly says, “what do you want?” Let’s be real, not everyone is a morning person. But that day, for some reason, I said it anyway.

And she said it back—warmly.

We ended up talking. Turns out she grew up right here in Brighton. Her family moved here 60 years ago, then life took her interstate, but now she’s back to spend more time with family. Third generation Brightonian. Her story stopped me in my tracks. We chatted for a while. By the end, I felt like our meeting wasn’t random at all, like maybe I was meant to bump into her.

That simple “good morning” left such an impact on me that I’ve decided—I’m back to greeting everyone on the beach. Some people will look surprised, maybe even a little startled, as if they’ve just seen an alien. That’s fine. Keep smiling and say it to the next person. Because here’s the thing: connection matters.

Importance of connecting.

When you greet your neighbours or chat with locals, you’re not just being polite. You’re building a sense of community, a feeling of safety. People who know each other look out for each other. If something unusual happens in the street—a strange car hanging around, a light left on too long—connected neighbours will notice and talk about it. And that matters.

It’s also about wellbeing. Study after study shows that people who regularly interact with neighbours and friends are happier, healthier, and even live longer. If you’ve seen the documentary Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones, you’ll know what I mean. In every one of those longevity hotspots, strong community ties are front and centre. People aren’t just living long lives by chance—they’re surrounded by friends, family, neighbours, and daily social interactions that keep them engaged.

What connection looks like here in Brighton

If you spend time in Brighton, you’ll notice it. At the beach kiosk, locals stop for a chat while ordering their morning coffee. Along Bay Street, locals run into each other, exchange news, and swap smiles.

Though it may seem like small talk from the outside, these brief conversations help build the community of a neighborhood .

And let’s not underestimate the little things. Asking a neighbour how they’re doing if you haven’t seen them in a while. Dropping off a card, flowers, or a box of chocolates when someone is unwell. Offering to water the garden or mind the dog when they travel. These are simple acts, but they make a difference.

Friendship is never out of style. People need friends, even if they don’t always show it.

The ripple effect of friendliness

Think about it: the world is simply a nicer place when people are friendly. It doesn’t mean you need to have deep conversations with everyone you pass. Sometimes it’s just about acknowledgement—a nod, a smile, a “morning.” These small moments of connection can brighten someone’s day. They can even turn into lifelong friendships.

And here’s the ripple effect: when one person starts greeting others, it encourages more of the same. Imagine if everyone walking along Brighton beach tomorrow morning said good morning. Imagine the kind of atmosphere that would create—not just on the sand, but in our whole community.

Brighton as our own “Blue Zone”

Why not make Brighton our own version of a Blue Zone? Not just a place where people live, but a place where people truly connect, where neighbours check in on each other, and where strangers can become friends with just two words: good morning.

So next time you’re on the beach in the morning, try it. Say hello. Don’t overthink it. If someone looks at you like you’ve just stepped off a spaceship, laugh it off and keep going. The next person might smile, and that one smile could be the highlight of their day—or yours.

Neighbours really are the most important people. They’re the ones nearby when you need a hand, a chat, or even just a smile. And who knows? That quick “good morning” could be the start of something bigger.

Come on, Brighton. Let’s connect, let’s look after each other, and let’s make our community shine.