Column: OBA’s Smith On ‘Good Morning’ & More
[Opinion column written by the OBA's Ben Smith]
Living and growing up in Bermuda came with advantages that many people around the world will never fully understand.
We did not just live on a beautiful island. We lived in a community.
What made Bermuda special was never only the pink sand or blue water. It was our people.
Our friendliness was our superpower.
People greeted each other with a smile and a genuine “good morning”.
Neighbours looked out for one another. Children were corrected not only by parents, but by the community around them. Seniors were respected. Visitors felt welcomed.
People took pride in their homes, their gardens, their vehicles and their neighbourhoods because Bermuda belonged to all of us.
There was an understanding that small things mattered because on a small island everything touches everyone.
Over time, though, something started to shift.
As Bermuda became more internationally recognised, more business-driven and more fast-paced, some of that spirit began to fade. Life became more transactional. People became busier, more isolated and more focused on themselves.
And something as simple as saying “good morning” started to change.
At first, if somebody did not answer, you repeated it.
“Good morning.”
Then after a while the greeting became shorter. “Good morning” became “mornin’”.
Eventually even that started losing its meaning. The intent remained but the warmth behind the words slowly disappeared.
That may sound insignificant to some people, but in a small community, cultural shifts matter.
You see, the “good morning” was never just about being polite. It was about acknowledging each other. It was about recognising that we lived together, depended on each other and shared responsibility for the place we called home.
When that started to disappear, other things started slipping too.
A few people started littering. Years ago somebody nearby would have verbally addressed the offender or quietly picked it up–because community standards mattered. Over time fewer people spoke up. Now, it feels like littering has become a norm.
The same thing happened on the roads.
What used to be occasional reckless behaviour slowly became part of everyday life. Overtaking on the inside. Running red lights. Third-laning. Dangerous bike stunts on public roads. Not stopping for pedestrians.
Not because Bermuda changed overnight, but because standards slipped slowly and people stopped expecting better from each other.
Even something like the greatly increased number of feral chickens tells the same story. Problems ignored over time stop feeling temporary. Then they become accepted as normal.
And maybe that is what bothers people most.
Not one big dramatic change. Just the feeling that little pieces of Bermuda keep disappearing while everybody quietly adjusts to it.
Now our children leave for school overseas and many choose not to return.
Seniors who spent their lives building this country are finding they cannot afford to retire here. Young families are questioning whether they can realistically raise children in Bermuda, and if they do they, will they be able to afford an education some feel forced to pay for.
Bermuda is shifting.
And the real question is what will this island look and feel like in a decade if our culture that we love and value continues to shift?
Because countries do not lose their identity all at once.
They lose it slowly.
One small piece at a time.
One lowered standard at a time.
One lost “good morning” at a time.
If we want to rebuild the Bermuda we love, it all begins with each of us. One small step at a time, holding each other accountable for our actions and bringing back the real meaning of “Good morning.”
- Ben Smith, Shadow Minister for Sport
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