Sydney mum's viral rant exposes the city’s social ‘nightmare’

In the vibrant streets of Sydney, one can't help but notice a subtle shift in social dynamics.

Amidst the bustling cityscape, there seems to be a growing tendency towards less social interaction, acts of kindness becoming less frequent, and a noticeable attachment to smartphones.

From busy cafes to bustling sidewalks, it's hard not to observe the pervasive presence of smartphone screens, a concern that a Sydney mum voiced in a video now spreading like wildfire.


Sonya Drivas, a local mum, has voiced a concern that many might feel, but few are willing to express openly.

Her candid revelation about the city's social climate has struck a chord with thousands, as she described Sydney as a ‘nightmare’ where kindness seems to be a rare commodity.

She said, ‘I thought it was just me noticing everyone is tired, everyone is stressed, everyone is angry, everyone is just over it.’

‘It just feels like everybody is on edge—whether it be on the road, at shopping centres, at the workplace with customers—everybody is just edgy, snappy, irritable and rude.’


Sonya.png
In a video with over 100 thousand views, this Sydney mum expresses her frustration with a supposed shift in the city’s social atmosphere. Image Source: TikTok / @sonyadriva


‘It's almost like there is no kindness anymore,’ she laments, highlighting a shift in societal norms that has left her and others longing for the days when a simple bus ride included friendly banter and genuine connections.

Sonya noticed that the sense of community that many Aussies fondly remember seems to be dissipating in the urban sprawl of Sydney.

‘That's just gone. That Aussie culture is gone. You no longer get on a bus and go “How's your day mate?” It's just f****** weird,’ she said

‘I will…be sitting on the bus or train and everyone's just looking down at their phones. Everyone's just weird, anti-social, angry, tired and stressed. I remember growing up when it was normal to talk [and] socialise, even if it was a stranger.’


Sonya recounts an interaction, or lack thereof, with a fellow commuter. She complimented another woman on her shoes.

However, the woman merely stared blankly and quickly replied with a 'thanks' before returning her focus to her phone.

Sonya recounted, ‘I just said “I love your shoes”,’ adding, ‘She looked up at me like I had just said something absolutely crazy.’

This moment, which should have been a pleasant exchange, was reduced to a brief acknowledgment before retreating to the digital world.


But what's driving this change? Sonya and others suggest that the rising cost of living and the housing crisis are significant factors.

Financial stress can undoubtedly take a toll on one's demeanour, and with Sydney's property prices and living expenses among the highest in the nation, it's no surprise that the city's inhabitants are feeling the strain.

One user who saw Sonya’s video said, ‘Everyone is in survival mode due to the cost of living and the events of the last four years.’

The sentiment that Sydney's social fabric is fraying is echoed by others who have noticed a decline in everyday courtesies.

‘People don't even do the little wave anymore when you give way to them on the roads,’ said one user.

The city's culture is being compared unfavourably to that of other Australian locales, where a slower pace and lower cost of living seem to foster a more congenial atmosphere.

You can watch Sonya's video here!

Source: TikTok / @sonyadriva


It's important to note that Sydney's perceived decline in sociability may not be a universal experience.

Some residents argue that the city's size and the nature of urban living are to blame.

One user said, ‘It's just big city living…Been this way for eons. When I go home to Brissie I notice the kindness in customer service immediately.’

While the bustling streets of Sydney may often feel cold and indifferent, this heartwarming story of a good Samaritan from a quieter town will remind you that genuine kindness knows no bounds, even in the busiest of cities.
Key Takeaways

  • Sydney mum Sonya described the city as being filled with people who are rude, stressed, and anti-social.
  • In a video posted online Sonya expressed that she felt Sydney's traditional Australian culture of friendliness and sociability has disappeared.
  • The cost of living and housing crisis likely contribute to the alleged change in social behaviour.
  • The sentiment that Sydney’s harsh social environment was shared by others, with some suggesting that the issues might be specific to big city living.
Have you noticed a change in the social atmosphere of your communities? Do you believe that the challenges of city living are at the root of this issue, or is something deeper at play? Let us know in the comments below!
 
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Have noticed this trend even in Tasmania. People always seem to be in a hurry & there is a distinct lack of patience, especially in people driving in car parks. I have noticed a lot of young mums out walking, pushing prams while busy on their phones. It’s so sad especially if they have babies who are old enough to be aware of their surroundings. My friends often ask “why are people so angry”? I don’t think it was driven by Covid or lockdowns, it’s just the way people are,always on phones. Ted & I talk to everyone regardless of where we are and most people even talk back.
 
Noticed the presence of smart phones and is disappointed, but posts on social media.:unsure:
 
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The trend is everywhere. I was in Canelands, Mackay, and the amount of people walking around and looking at their phones. Some pushing a pushchair/pram, or with children trotting all over the place as Mum is busy concentrating on their phones. I saw a Lady with her wheelie walker nearly fall over. The couple who walked out of a shop in front of her, were, of course, busy looking at their phones.
 
The trend started well before Covid and the cost-of-living etc etc.

When new cultures from Whitlam’s era began immigrating is the time we started to lose our identity. Cultures that refused to integrate, setting up and taking over suburbs. Crime began to get more violent with established gangs even to the point where we now have families waging war against each other and are restricted by AVO’s. Calls for Anzac Day to be scrapped, and Christmas frowned upon because it may offend other religions.

Can’t call people Mr, Ms. he or she or even have what used to be a conversation without being sued.

Youth crime is becoming deadlier, escalating and unchecked by the judicial system.
Road rage with deadly weapons is the norm these days.

This could go on for ever but I keep saying our age group and the previous generations have certainly seen the best Australia had to offer before it turned to crap. I won’t be sorry to leave when my time is up
 
I usually smile at people in shopping centres & get a smile unreturned, but I find in the bigger city shopping fairs if you smile & say hello, the person gives you the dirtiest looks, it's almost as if they're sure you're a crazy lady. If I'm sitting on a seat & start talking they just ignore you. Hardly do you see a smile on anyone's face. Give me the suburban Shopping Fairs, they smile, say hello & talk to you.
 
These days it’s the mobile phone that is the biggest culprit, in my opinion. Seems it has become peoples ‘umbilical cord’ still attached. I have told my husband that he is not to pull me out of the way, in a shopping centre or anywhere else, when a person looking at his/her phone is coming towards me and looking at the phone and not at where they are going. I will stand my ground & if that person walks into me with or without a trolley too bad. Even worse is people crossing the road expecting all car drivers to look out for them while they are not looking where they are going, only looking at their phones. They seem to think they have ALL right of way at all times and everywhere. Not true, you people with phones attached.
 
These days it’s the mobile phone that is the biggest culprit, in my opinion. Seems it has become peoples ‘umbilical cord’ still attached. I have told my husband that he is not to pull me out of the way, in a shopping centre or anywhere else, when a person looking at his/her phone is coming towards me and looking at the phone and not at where they are going. I will stand my ground & if that person walks into me with or without a trolley too bad. Even worse is people crossing the road expecting all car drivers to look out for them while they are not looking where they are going, only looking at their phones. They seem to think they have ALL right of way at all times and everywhere. Not true, you people with phones attached.
I no longer move aside either so you’re not on your own. It is so annoying especially when the person is a similar age to me. I like to be aware of what’s happening around me not what’s going on with my mobile.
 
The trend started well before Covid and the cost-of-living etc etc.

When new cultures from Whitlam’s era began immigrating is the time we started to lose our identity. Cultures that refused to integrate, setting up and taking over suburbs. Crime began to get more violent with established gangs even to the point where we now have families waging war against each other and are restricted by AVO’s. Calls for Anzac Day to be scrapped, and Christmas frowned upon because it may offend other religions.

Can’t call people Mr, Ms. he or she or even have what used to be a conversation without being sued.

Youth crime is becoming deadlier, escalating and unchecked by the judicial system.
Road rage with deadly weapons is the norm these days.

This could go on for ever but I keep saying our age group and the previous generations have certainly seen the best Australia had to offer before it turned to crap. I won’t be sorry to leave when my time is up
Looks like you are as bad as the people this post is talking about. Sad and whinging. Sounds like you just wanted to deflect to cultural problems. Just left hospital, so glad that people are there actually working to get us home in the end. Check who is the highest culture in our jails.

I agree we should be more vigilant who comes in , there are so many positives to enjoy. Agree as well that Australian way of life should be sacred and all beliefs celebrated.
 
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Looks like you are as bad as the people this post is talking about. Sad and whinging. Sounds like you just wanted to deflect to cultural problems. Just left hospital, so glad that people are there actually working to get us home in the end. Check who is the highest culture in our jails.

I agree we should be more vigilant who comes in , there are so many positives to enjoy. Agree as well that Australian way of life should be sacred and all beliefs celebrated.
Hope that you’re okay marni, if not get well soon.
 
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Even living in a country area it is noticeable how the different ages interact. most older people don’t walk around looking at a mobile phone and smile and speak to everyone they meet in the streets or on walks etc. Then the middle age range are a mixture of people absorbed in their phones and people not, who also speak and acknowledge other people they pass by anywhere. Then the younger people, including some very young school kids walk everywhere absorbed in their phones, rarely even noticing people they pass or cars they walk out in front of etc. I don’t know how more don’t get hit by cars, or even how they find their way anywhere, they must operate on auto pilot. The shame of it all is they are missing out on the joys of meeting and greeting people, the scenery, I’m sure they don’t even know the difference between a sunny day and a wet day unless they read it on their phones. I fear we are going to have a whole generation or more who won’t know how to communicate effectively, who get to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, who are aware there is a big wide world exists beyond the screen of their phones. This also makes so many more people at risk of being involved in the ever increasing serious crimes being committed as no one is actually taking any notice of or being aware of their surroundings and what is happening around them.
 
It is a bit belittling of people to say there is no kindness and then say people are f'ed up. I used to commute in Sydney many many years ago and no-one spoke to each other. They read their newspapers, magazines or books.
 
i am glad i am on the way out not the way in the world has gone mad phones are the down fall its all about them i am 72 we had the good times to reflex on now its all crap
 
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Looks like you are as bad as the people this post is talking about. Sad and whinging. Sounds like you just wanted to deflect to cultural problems. Just left hospital, so glad that people are there actually working to get us home in the end. Check who is the highest culture in our jails.

I agree we should be more vigilant who comes in , there are so many positives to enjoy. Agree as well that Australian way of life should be sacred and all beliefs celebrated.
You just left hospital funny you were quoting on “Aibu” at exactly 8.18. Telling me off for my post.🤣
 
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i am glad i am on the way out not the way in the world has gone mad phones are the down fall its all about them i am 72 we had the good times to reflex on now its all crap
Don’t totally agree. While phones are annoying, though I find mine very convenient, not everyone is firmly attached to them. I’m also almost 72 & can remember young ones everywhere with those loud portable stereos on their shoulders inflicting terrible sounding music on us. Im still optimistic about most things & don’t get too annoyed about whatever is happening. I’m just grateful that I’m not trying to save for or buying a home. There are always going to be problems in the world simply because a lot of people always want more.
 

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