Let's take the positives from the 'new normal'

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

This might be unpopular but I felt we needed a bit of balance to all of the threads moaning about the 6 person rule. What aspects of the current rules do you quite like? Here are mine:-

No more fighting to get served at the bar, when you can get served at your table.

If your mask is big enough it can double as a sleep mask when you fly home from your hols.

If you don't particularly like people, like me, it's good that they're not allowed to get too close to you!

The 6 person rule is a good excuse not to meet up with those family members you never really liked anyway.

WFH means you can get your washing hung out whilst on a conference call, prep dinner, go to the gym in your lunch break etc.

Come on people, let's think positive!

[HelloDaisy]

I quite enjoy not having big groups of people here. I love all my friends and know how lucky I am to have them but I am secretly enjoying the slower place of life and seeing them all separately rather than all at once. It gives me more time to relax and chat with whoever is here and it’s a slower pace of life.

[kittensarecute]

Positives from the 'new normal'.....none.

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

I just think we've all maybe forgotten what total lockdown was like. I know things are a bit shit but if you don't see the positives then you might as well write the next 6 months off.

[Sexnotgender]

No awkward hugging. I’m not a hugger and I always hated the do you, don’t you awkwardness. Ditto with a kiss on the cheek to greet people.

[SteelMack]

People being forced to wash their hands (yes they should have done all along but we all know some didn't)

It being totally socially unacceptable for people to cough / sneeze etc around me

If I got for a meal, drink etc..., no bugger is anywhere near me! I wish it was always like this!!

No large gatherings. How I fucking hate socialising with people other than my inner circle. Oh yes, small gatherings are the future

[MushMonster]

With all this social distancing and hand/surface constant desinfection almost no one is getting the flu this year!
We had an employee with a heavy cold recently (not covid, he had the test), not a single other got it at work! Now that is a miracle because in normal circumstances we all get it one by one.
The music at work has been great during lock down as only the operational staff was in! Rock and roll all the way. Office staff is back, so now back to boring ..... and my coleague has taken to listen to a radio station in a language I do not understand

[Cinderellashoes]

I don’t like getting too close to people in general so it’s nice that it’s part of the rules now! Also I think the general public are a dirty bunch and seeing people use hand sanitizers gives me a Kim-and-Aggy kick haha. Also, I don’t have to see my in-laws who have caused me so much grief and turmoil. There are of course lots of negatives (they far outweigh the positives let’s be honest!!) but I do love this thread so thanks!

[Voice0fReason]

There's a lot about it that has been quite good for me.
Working from home has been fantastic. I've developed some useful skills.
I enjoy avoiding random hugs and handshakes with the people I used to come into contact with.

I do want to get back to normal because there's a lot I miss but I can certainly take a lot of positives from this year.

[Ellsbells12]

Sorry not feeling it I am angry upset and quite frankly pissed of living like this

[grafittiartist]

Lots-
No hugging, ordering from tables, keeping distance in a que.
I sound quite antisocial- but I'm really not!

[Happyspud]

We have lots of freedom still and if the kids can get to school and some outdoor sports most of the time I will be absolutely thrilled. Things (I think?) we can still do:

• Have coffee with a friend, keep it outdoors if you want to be really safe
• Have drinks with a friend
• Go to a restaurant or get a much nicer than pre-lockdown take away as some good restaurants now do takeaway
• horse ride with a friend in the forest (paid activity)
• let the kids attend their sports training
• bring kids to the playground
• I can do my football training still
• go for a (masked) browse in typically empty shops like antique places, salvage yards, IKEA off peak etc
• rent the local small private pool for an hour

[HarveySchlumpfenburger]

Loads less antisocial behaviour from nearby pubs/clubs at chucking out time.

I’d got use to the peace & quiet during lockdown but the antisocial stuff doesn’t seem to have picked up massively with restricted numbers/opening times.

[MrsTravers]

Very few if your household comprises 6 people.

We can't see anyone as a family.

Not good as three of the DC have birthdays in the next 10 weeks.

[goldenlilliesdaffodillies]

I also not a fan of hugging and kissing and find it really awkward. It makes the school run so much easier- you can just drop and go.

I've been able to take courses which I've wanted to do for years, but have never been able to do- now they are on online.

[LittleHootie]

Love working from home

Like being able to book eating, drinking, museums etc

Like table service and getting seats at places.

Like everyone practising good hand hygiene

No pressure to organise party for child

Could mean a simplified xmas

Saving money from being at home so much

So lots of positives for me.

[cyclingmad]

Wfh means I dont have to go out on windy days which means my tonsillitis won't be triggered...a yr of no tonsillitis!!!

Whilst my music events aren't happening there are so many livestreams I'm seeing more of artists than ever before

Being able to enjoy walking about in London without being bumped into

Being able to take pics of things like Buckingham Palace without some twats insta posing

Always getting a seat on the train

Going to gym and being able to do my workout quicker cos machines are available

House is much cleaner as I'm wfh so can do more in my breaks

[ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia]

Less discretionary expenditure on frivolous unnecessary crap!

Covid has taught us all what is necessary in life and of real tangible value and what is simply surplus to requirement.

[Blackandwhitehorse]

Saving petrol money as wfh

Table service!

Benefits to the environment

Wfh means I can (if motivated) fit more exercise into my day and saved travelling time.

No awkward hugs on greeting people!

Better takeaways as more places doing them

Discovered lots of nice local walks

[AndAllOurYesterdays]

Our local lido is much nicer. Fewer swimmers and huge lanes.

[MadameBlobby]

Mouthing swear words at fuckwits in shops

[Chloemol]

Better hand washing, always used to concern me

Slower pace of life

Not having to hug friends who are huggers when I am not

More people saying hello now as you walk the dog

Still lots of people supporting others in their community

Mask wearing means hopefully I won’t get colds passed on either
Smaller number of people in the local shop as it’s limited to 2 so you can actually move round it

Saving money as not popping to the shop for bits, saving on petrol

Having a good excuse not to meet people who don’t really want to see but are obliged to

[Lemonylemony]

Stamp duty holiday has saved us £10k, that’s something.

If I can find anywhere doing nose piercings I can finally get mine re-done as we’re wearing masks for all client interactions at work so no one can see it anyway whilst it’s healing.

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

Stamp duty holiday is definitely a good one. Hasn't benefitted me so I didn't think of it.

[IceCreamAndCandyfloss]

Better hygiene
Environmental benefits
Maybe less colds/flu but maybe not if in contact with school children
No close contact from strangers