Post-COVID life can’t come fast enough, and here are tips for the return to ‘normal’
Someday, we will turn on the TV news and not see stock videos of people getting COVID-19 shots in the arm.
We will go to restaurants, bars, receptions and parties. Sit wherever there is seating or space available. Six feet apart, but only if you choose to be.
Sit at the bar and watch a ballgame on the big screen. Maskless. Have a conversation and not feel like Mumbles the Monster talking to Charlie Brown’s teacher.
Sneeze or cough and not clear the room.
Not yet, though. I don’t know when that magical day of no restrictions will return. We are being vaccinated, gradually. While large indoor gatherings are on hold, we have time to refresh our social skills and etiquette.
Time to add a little shine to our social shoes.
It has been a year since we have gathered without restrictions. Many of us have been working from home. Every day feels the same. We may be rusty on how we act and talk to one another, up-close and in-person.
A dozen tips for preparation for our eventual return to mainstream:
- Eventually, you are going to have to lose the sweatpants. Sweatpants with dress shoes is not a good look. You will wear socks, again, for a few more weeks of spring anyway.
- Start working now on wearing jeans or real work pants. A couple of days per week. Try some Dockers. Best thing about Dockers is they fit larger than the size on the sticker. The only pants that seem to expand with my waistline but the size never changes.
- Shave that little mustache. Nice try. You don’t look like Tom Selleck, Sam Elliott or Justin Faulk. Grooming. It’s going to make a comeback.
- Ballcaps may be OK on Zoom, but not in the office. Keep in mind the logo on a hat can be considered disrespectful. For example, don’t wear a Cubs cap in Cards country, and vice versa.
- Stay away from political hats of any kind because you will offend half of the room.
Enough about clothes and style. Let’s move on to etiquette and manners:
- Be considerate on the handshakes, hugs and kisses. Some folks will be more comfortable than others. Elbow bumps are OK, temporarily. Annoying long-term, though.
- Tip your waitress or bartender. They have lost work. Nothing worse than a guy who sits at the table and loudly tells others how successful he is and then tips 2 percent.
- Don’t eat from others’ plates. Even when they’re not looking. Eat from only your own plate. With a fork or spoon.
- Watch talking to yourself. Someday, after we are maskless, everyone will be able to see your mouth movements again. Watch mimicking what others say. It’s rude.
- Don’t talk out loud to the TV behind the bar. You are in public and not at home.
- Say the following: Please, thank you, pardon me and excuse me. People hear and appreciate manners, mask or unmasked.
- In the meantime, while wearing a mask, make sure it covers your nose. I know “One Size Fits All” is a big lie.
