To be shocked at how dystopian going shopping feels now?

[GratefulLove]

Today I went shopping in my town centre for the first time since early March. I just could not process how different it all is now. Last time I was in town I remember picking up a box of paracetamol and some hand sanitiser in Boots "just in case" but aside from that it all felt normal albeit a little like the calm before the storm.

Today though. Hand sanitiser everywhere, one-way systems, floor markings. Obviously I knew all this existed from social media and the news but seeing my town, my familiar town so completely different has floored me in a way I didn't expect. Shops selling hand sanitiser and masks - I expected this in Boots and other pharmacies but I didn't expect Primark to have rows and rows of hand sanitiser by the tills. I didn't expect shopping to feel so clinical, it felt like a hospital visit.

I was in one shop and there were a group of young children playing and joking around with each other. They did not have masks on and seeing them playing around just looked so normal and then I looked around and saw all the adults with masks just looking expressionless and almost soulless. It just looked so frightening.

We are months into this pandemic and I still can't believe this is all real. It still feels like a film. I don't know, with the daily conferences now a thing of the past and headlines now involving more topics than just the coronavirus it kind of felt like things were slowly getting back to normal but this really cemented that they are nowhere near normal.

Also I just want to say how much I appreciate all retail workers.

I know what you mean, it's horrible.
Nobody chatting, all wearing masks.
I'm surprised how easily society has rolled over and done as told, quite scary really. What's the betting that the new normal will look like this, and yes it's dystopian.

It felt weird a couple of months ago, now it feels relatively normal to me. I went into town with my dd and we shopped and ate out and it was fun, although annoying not to try on clothes. We both agreed the weirdness is dying off. I really don't give wearing a mask a second thought now (lucky only have to wear them in shops, not in daily life).

Totally agree OP but don't forget you're not able to have your opinion on what you think of the new rules and masks etc. There will always be someone hopping on your thread to tell you that you'll get used to it, it's actually quite fun wearing a mask and following the floor arrows at the Co-op as if you're in a queue at Disney just to get a pint of milk is the best fun ever and unless you embrace it and shout from the rooftops that you love it then you're an absolute first class twat.

I think people are entitled to their feelings and being told to get a grip isn't really helping anybody.

@OLGADEEPOLGA

Totally agree OP but don't forget you're not able to have your opinion on what you think of the new rules and masks etc. There will always be someone hopping on your thread to tell you that you'll get used to it, it's actually quite fun wearing a mask and following the floor arrows at the Co-op as if you're in a queue at Disney just to get a pint of milk is the best fun ever and unless you embrace it and shout from the rooftops that you love it then you're an absolute first class twat.

Fair enough. I'M AN ABSOLUTE FIRST CLASS TWAT!

Me too

Just wait until unemployment hits 15%!

I’ve read a few dystopian novels recently such as Q and The Choice. I can feel society heading into that kind of world.

I really like things as they are now.

The shops are fine, not too crowded, well stocked, people are being courteous in the main, and tolerant of people looking a bit baffled.

I was in McDonalds the other day, and it was amazing. The system they have for guiding you in, finding you a seat, bringing your food over... it's great. And the staff were all so friendly and just getting on with it.

I love the mad masks people have made, and the way you can see their eyes smiling/laughing/looking murderous really clearly.

Parks, playgrounds, gardens, beaches, amusement arcades, cafes, beaches.. all normal/nice.

If this is dystopia, it's had a really bad press up until now.

Once our local cinema reopens with social distancing, I'll be in my element!

OP, you realise this a temporary public health thing? Not some kind of new world order.

Blimey, I must be so much more insensitive than some on here? I have very recently been shopping in my home city, London and Paris and barely registered any differences? Okay, so I had to wear a mask but very quickly got used to that, and then it was just a quick rub of hand gel as you entered the shop. Job done.

Same here peaceanddove

It really isn't that different?!

I don't believe it will be a 'temporary public health thing'. There will be no reason for the govt to remove the masks rule, and no point at which it will be seen to be the right thing to do. Either infections will fall, in which case mask-wearing is reinforced, or they won't, in which case we will just have to do it in more settings and with more and more 'serious' masks. With the constant emphasis on 'keeping you safe' (which is creepy in itself and being used as a control method), ultimately no one will want to stop wearing them - the argument will be that it also protects against other colds and flu and communicable diseases so why WOULDN'T we continue to wear them as a 'courtesy to others'? Look at the number of people on these threads who are simply desperate for MORE rules and how people are so keen to vilify others for not sticking to them. Masks are depersonalising, dehumanising and represent subjugation and fear, and I am so fearful that we will be wearing them forever.

Not sure how the grinning smiley got into my quote !

If we get a vaccine mask wearing will stop.

People seem to relish in dystopian fantasies but nearly everyone will not wear a mask when it’s no longer necessary for CV

Masks are depersonalising, dehumanising and represent subjugation and fear, and I am so fearful that we will be wearing them forever.

Really? I don't see masks that way at all.

Mine are pretty cool though, and I can relate to people perfectly well, wearing one or not.

I tend to watch people's mouths due to a slight hearing loss, but I don't often find myself having to speak to randoms in the street, and if I do, they are happy to speak up, and I can read a lot from their eyes and body language. I my hearing loss was more severe, masks could be taken off anyway. That's permitted.

Wearing one reduces the chance of me passing on various viruses, nothing more.

I'm not subjugated, or fearful. Just pragmatic, and in the winter my face will be nice and warm.

I understand what you mean OP, it does have eery feel to it now. Life changed overnight for the entire world and we wasn’t prepared so it’ll take time to get used to. I’ve been to a shop twice after not leaving the house for 3 months, it was uncomfortable and I haven’t been back. It’s clear no one enjoys the things we used to and everyone has been affected hugely in one way or another. It’s a sad situation but we have to be thankful at the same time. It won’t last forever.

There will be no reason for the govt to remove the masks rule

Apart from people not going out and spending money! That's an important enough reason, you'd think?

Maybe we should all use this as an opportunity to find hobbies that don't involve browsing for and buying useless shit we don't need.

No.

There will be no reason for the govt to remove the masks rule

There is not one group that do not want to earn at full capacity, not supermarkets, but even government. Silly to think they’d rather you in a mask.

Not even

If I’m totally honest, I find it refreshing that people seem to be thinking a bit more about how they spend their time, rather than mindlessly shopping as a pastime.

It has implications on the economy, though, obviously. Without compulsive consumerism, our economy doesn’t really work. Interesting times ahead....

I know I wouldn't get any pleasure from shopping at the moment, so am only going into shops for necessities. The idea of mooching round the shops, wearing a mask in this blazing heat, does not sound like a good time to me. So I'm avoiding "like the plague".

Try and reframe the way you think about it. Change the narrative. So instead of saying it's 'dystopian', 'soulless' and 'frightening', say to yourself that it's positive that people are wearing face coverings and everyone is doing everything they can to keep things clean and hygienic, as it means that we can still get on with our day to day lives and shop for the things we need, despite the virus. You know that the measures have been put in place to help keep us all safe and mean that shops and cafes can stay open and people keep their jobs.

Find some masks with bright patterns on, rather than the surgical masks. Make a point of smiling at people and chatting. The feeling that everyone is expressionless behind masks is just in your head. If you think back to before the pandemic, most people walked around with a neutral expression or staring at their phone, nothing's really changed, expect your own inner narrative. Change this and you'll see everything else around you changes.

This is a really good technique you can use to apply to most things in life!

What's interesting to me is how some people I know are able to carry on a more normal life. They shop online, spend lots of time in parks, outdoor pubs and outdoor coffee shops. Play golf and socialise in the gardens of friends and family. Go to find new walking routes in the country and finish with an outdoor pub lunch.
I really think it pays in terms of mental health to avoid some things at the moment (shopping especially). Although I'd like to help the high street survive.

If people think this is as bad as can be they've got very poor imaginations