I write this while waiting for my flight from Charles de Gaulle International Airport, Paris and after reading the ridiculous argument put forth by Shaun Lee in Train immigration officers to smile .

"Immigration is in the service industry after all and appearances are everything," he says. Where in the world is a immigration department viewed as the service industry? In Australia? Heck, no, The Immigration Department has a duty to uphold and they certainly aren't paid to appear on a Truly Asia ad.

I travel the world over (check my passport mate!) and I have never encountered smiley immigration officers especially in those so-called advanced countries. Just last week landing at 6.05am at CDG Paris, I was greeted with a cold stare on a chilly winter morning. No pleasantries exchanged. Same for my business trips to Australia last year, twice. No 'G'day mate' or 'How'zit goin?' to me. Just a cold stare and a 'What is the purpose of your visit and where are you staying" even though I had clearly stated the hotel name in my disembarkation card.

Maybe the Oz immigration officer should have stopped smiling and read the disembarkation card ... oops ... hang on, he didn't smile either.

Even when I went to New Zealand and mentioned in passing that I'm here for my honeymoon, no smile either but the Kiwis I met once I stepped out of the airport were one of the friendliest people I have known.

I have had same cold treatment from immigration in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Thailand (heck yeah), India and China. Wonder if the African continent immigration officers would hold my hand while walking me out of the airport while Zulu warriors and belly dancers surround me? I wish.

Well, the gist of the matter is that immigration departments are not here to win a popularity contest and I have learned to accept that. I hope my fellow global citizens like Shaun Lee and Brad Sheperd will look beyond these frontline people because once I crossed that line, I found most people I encountered in those country to be friendly, courteous, helpful and ever willing to smile. Get a life, mate!