Etiquette may seem rather frivolous to some, but it was originally created to provide a set of conventional rules by which people could exist. Over the years it went from the very basics of pulling out a chair for a lady to the extremes of recognizing a small bowl with a slice of lemon in warm water prior to dessert.
To spell out the in’s and out’s of etiquette, books were written and classes were conducted. Over the years, tweaking was necessary to accommodate the changing times that included women entering the corporate world, the addition of the internet, marital statuses, etc.
In the past two months etiquette has gone through a major adjustment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the relaxation of restrictions starting today, you might want to bone up on the new world ways:
Must Do’s
- Some businesses may not let you enter the premises without a properly worn mask. It should cover your nose, mouth and chin. Wearing it like a necklace will get tsk tsks from others.
- Follow the directional signage in grocery stores. Smart stores are making reminder announcements that aisles are one-way to allow for proper social distancing.
- Stay six feet away from others waiting in line.
- Tip the folks who are wiping down carts, delivering items, etc.
- Big-hair-who-cares is the look of the day.
- Take disinfectant wipes.
- Put your masks and gloves in resealable bags following their use.
- Encourage others to celebrate and support the healthcare providers and first responders.
- Pictures of you and your household wearing masks. Decades from now, they’ll be treasures of a historic era.
- Figure out Zoom and Facetime and do a dress rehearsal before being part of one.
- Check on friends, especially the elderly and/or those with compromised systems.
Must Do Nots
- Handshaking, up-close air kissing and fist fights
- Buying more than you need. After all, do you really need a case of sliced black olives?
- Dancing check-to-cheek.
- Bragging about hunkering down on your yacht during the COVID-19 restricted time.
- Tossing masks and gloves on the ground. Yuck!
- Mosh pits.
- Complaining about your plastic surgeon postponing your facelift.
- Drinking an extra glass of wine when ordering online or attending a videotelephone get-together, etc.
BTW, with restrictions being relaxed today, you might be hesitant about venturing out. Don’t give it a second thought. You should only leave home when you feel comfortable doing so. The new norm will only succeed if everyone moves at their own pace.
Jan Strimple says
YES! Mask etiquette alone is worthy of a front page story in The Dallas Morning News.. There are far too many people who don’t recognize that wearing a mask is NOT only about them. It is a gesture of good manners and a demonstration of concern for the health and we’ll being of others. Thank YOU for posting this! Jeanne!
Patti Flowers says
Thank you ! This so needed to said. Wish everyone would get the message…