Why are Tasmanians so unfriendly?

Question

I've lived in Tasmania all my life but recently went to Melbourne for a month. Everyone told me to be careful up there but I found Victorians to be quite friendly. Oh, there were the usual weirdos and drunks and bogans, but generally it was a really positive experience. I didn't ever feel threatened or intimidated.

When I came back down to Tasmania I realised how different it was to Melbourne. In Tasmania I've seen so much coldness and aggression in people and assumed it was the norm. Every day when I walk around Hobart I expect to be maltreated in some way. I've gotten used to the meanness.

It sucks coz I grew up in Tassie so I act like that too. I don't make any eye contact with people and walk quickly past them and avoid talking to people. I've gotten used to ignoring people.

Does anyone have any theories as to why us Tasmanians seem to be such an unfriendly lot?

Don't bother with the inbred jokes please. I've heard them all.

Answer 1

I don't see that, I've lived in Hobart all my life and have traveled all round Australia from Cairns to Cook to Broome and most points in between.

I have found people here no more or less friendly than anywhere else in Australia. There are certainly rude people but I have also seen many people helping others, I also tend to walk around Hobart on the weekends and am quite often asked by visitors/tourists for directions and I always try to help and be friendly.

Answer 2

>weirdos and drunks and bogans,



They weren't from Melbourne, they were visitors from Tassie :-)





And, I have had quite a good experience in Tassie (Hobart only). The people I met were open and friendly. Really nice actually. I think it depends on your mood actually....you were in a holiday mood and probably smiling and happy. This makes other people around you smile and be happy too - hence your experience.



Come back and visit, you'll always be welcome in Melbourne.

Answer 3

When I visited Tasmania the people that live there kept referring to us travellers as people from the mainland. I think they like to refer to Tasmania as their own little country and not as a state. I found the people ok when there.

Answer 4

It was intersting to hear that Tasmanians are like that, i didn't know about it. Personally i have experienced that people get friendlier the further north you go. I've only visited Melbourne, but lived in Sydney, and when i moved from Sydney to Brisbane, i found Brissi friendlier. Nowadays, up in north Queensland, i am loving it. There's no ignoring people, everyone smiles to you, says hello or talks to you, i can't even walk my dog without total strangers stopping to have a short chat. And we finally actually know our neighbours here, have BBQs together and lots of fun. something that never happened down south. I love it here.

Answer 5

Living in Sydney I know rude when I see it, but I didn't see any of that in Tassie. They were quite nice and laughed when I called myself a mainlander. It was also quite nice to come to a city and not see people being rushed and not caring (like one sees int he east coast mainland cities). But then I'm yet to find people anywhere in this wonderful country who are rude beyond a few individuals.

Answer 6

I don't know which Tasmania you live in, but the one I have lived in all my life has been a kind and friendly one!

Answer 7

Maybe its just the local culture. Maybe Tasmanians don't like other Tasmanians. Small states/ regions always have weird insular vibes, its like that in some parts of New Zealand too.

Answer 8

There are bad people in every place. But Tasmanians? I thought they're kind people because their state is quiet, laid-back and rural. Unlike city people.

Answer 9

Because they're Australian.

Answer 10

They're upset people keep calling them devils?

Answer 11

dey jealous mait becuz dey live on island mait dats whyy u come mittagong