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Opinion | Smile more? First, give Hongkongers something to be happy about

  • Amid high post-retirement expenses, the rising cost of living and a mental health crisis, the city’s smile campaign misses the mark

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Commuters wait to cross a street in Central on October 9, 2023. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong’s government has, it seems, jumped the gun on World Smile Day – which is usually on the first Friday of October – by starting its own smile campaign. That’s right – it’s yet another campaign from the government.
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This time, it’s part of efforts to woo tourists by having Hongkongers, starting with those in the service sector, showcase hospitality and courtesy with a smile. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said authorities are coordinating efforts to promote the campaign across service industries and government departments.

So smile more everyone, and the tourists will come. Granted, it’s about extending a warm welcome to visitors. And it’s true that it begins with something as simple as a smile. When you’re genuinely smiling out of happiness, and someone asks you for directions, for example, you’re unlikely to walk away.

However, smiling, by itself, can be a superficial act. As World Smile Day suggests, making it a point to smile on one particular day serves as a reminder of the importance of spreading happiness, kindness and positivity through simple acts. But therein lies the point: smiling is an expression of true positivity.

If Yeung dug below the surface, he might understand the reasons behind people’s grumpiness in the city. Actually, all he needs to do is refresh his memory. Just last year, the government launched the “Happy Hong Kong” campaign, a series of activities to get people out and about, and to spend more after the Covid-19 pandemic slump.
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It’s clear that the “normality” the government probably envisioned has yet to appear, and it’s still struggling with the new normal of the weekend exodus of local residents for better deals and service across the border, a night economy that remains sluggish and the closing down of shops and restaurants, just to name a few. It’s not hard to see why it’s difficult to muster a smile under these circumstances.
A pedestrian stands near a closed store in Hong Kong on February 25. Photo: Bloomberg
A pedestrian stands near a closed store in Hong Kong on February 25. Photo: Bloomberg
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