To think this pandemic has provided deep insight into people's character?

[rosesbloom]

I have found it quite illuminating seeing people's reactions. Friends and family members I have known for years have surprised me. It is like this situation has acted like a catalyst to reveal people's true nature, values and character.

A friend I had known for years and thought was a kind and empathetic person said the vulnerable just need to accept that they will die if they catch it and everything needs to carry on as normal. I have an underlying health condition she doesn't know about. I just sat there in stunned silence.

It has even shown me things about myself I didn't realise. It has shown me how anxious I am about my health, usually all those worries are internal and I keep them to myself but they have had to be brought out into the light when I explain to friends/family why I don't feel comfortable going for a meal in a restaurant at the moment despite it being "allowed" and "COVID-19 secure". Even though I know I engage in risky behaviours all the time like driving a car, crossing a road, etc it is like I have a blind spot with accurately assessing COVID risks.

Have any of you had any surprising revelations from people?

Oh yes. And not in a good way.

"COVID-19 secure" I hate when you see this at restaurants. If COVID-19 isn't on the list then it's not coming in! .

Yes I've seen the selfish side come out in people a lot! And the pure nastiness tbh!

Yes I’ve been surprised at how many people have curtain twitcher tendencies, and how easy it has been for people to turn against each other. I’m also surprised how many don’t seem to understand that other people have circumstances different to them.

Yes sadly it is bringing out the worst in some people, snoopers, power mad, what we used to call "Little Hitlers" although it has also shown the good in people too so it is not all bad.

Absolutely. I felt similar about Brexit too.

A couple I know quite well and always considered normal have revealed themselves to be, I believe, quite bonkers. He said to me the other day, completely seriously that "this was all Bill Gates, he's planning to kill six billion people". I never got a real answer explaining why Bill is planning this.

I have been really shocked, really shocked by some of my friends;

Friends that travelled around Europe going to parties, gloating about holidays. Then expected everyone to be comfortable with meeting up with her and her dc when they arrived home.

Family that have been completely indifferent about looking after their elderly relatives, and leaving them without food and help. On furlough and lived very close by, but just busy doing the garden and watching netflix to care about their own parents.

Delivered shopping to a friend for months thinking it was for an elderly neighbour and elderly family members, and a few things added on for them, and it turned out it was all for her and she was lying to me!

General selfish and self absorbed behaviour - my life comes first, the health of others comes second (or not at all)

I would go as far as to say after the insight we have had from covid with some people - it has been so bad that my respect for them has completely died, and I would rather we weren't friends anymore. I am distancing now - as I can't see them the same way anymore.

Definitely. I’ve seen some awful selfish behaviour that’s made me reevaluate several friendships.

Online you realise how many won’t follow the rules as their wants are more important. So many also wouldn’t report a breach even though it could really impact on the health of others. The most upsetting comment I’ve seen was one saying they didn’t care about teachers they just wanted their child back at school. So very much me me me rather than the big picture. It makes me wonder what message we are sending to the younger generation. I don’t want mine to only think of themselves.

@Friendsoftheearth
Wow! Did you confront the friend you delivered shopping to? Did they have any kind of excuse?

No surprises, more a magnification of personality traits that were already there e.g. the self-absorbed becoming yet more so, the selfish ditto, the anxious more anxious.

@SharpLily

Absolutely. I felt similar about Brexit too.

A couple I know quite well and always considered normal have revealed themselves to be, I believe, quite bonkers. He said to me the other day, completely seriously that "this was all Bill Gates, he's planning to kill six billion people". I never got a real answer explaining why Bill is planning this.

I was coming on to mention Brexit as well - although possibly not for the same reasons.

A lot of things have become clearer to me - and it's meant I feel much less connected to most people in general.

Theres been massive encouragement over the last decade for people to start acting disgustingly selfishly and individualistically and we have now seen the results of that with even the slightest breakdown of society. These idiots who talk about the british 'blitz spirit'- Well its gone, killed off by the same people who claim to champion it (tabloids, conservative governments)

The selfishness and the whinging over every little thing have been quite astonishing.

Also, there seems to be no common sense in
some people, at all.

As a mature person, I have been saddened, but probably not surprised by so many threads here and so many people saying that those of us who are over fifty should just allow ourselves to succumb, for the good of the economy and for younger people and children. I am contributing towards the economy, through taxes etc, as most do. Are we really now saying that some lives don’t matter?

I’m appalled at the selfishness of those who feel they can ignore everything that we’ve been asked to do, join marches, gather in big groups, all the other things that make it likely that this will continue for longer than it needed to.

It is very upsetting to think that so many have so little thought for their fellow citizens and only consider their own wants. Being dismissed as irrelevant and dispensable is awful. Yes, we may be older, but we still have value, to our families and in many cases, because of our continuing contribution to the economy.

There are people that I distance myself from now and will continue to do so, because of their behaviour this year. I will never forgive those who have and continue to be, so selfish.

I've even ended up feeling sorry for billionaire Bill Gates!

Actually I think this thread is a prime example of what I said above... people are so much more willing to turn on each other than I expected. Calling people selfish, and whinging, and self absorbed. And on the other hand calling people hysterical, over anxious, lacking common sense etc. People jumping at the opportunity to criticise others, whatever their views.
It’s sad.

Yes, a few of my friends have said shocking things about the “vulnerable” who they seem to view just as one enormous group getting in the way of their fun. It’s very upsetting.

@Foxyloxy1plus1

As a mature person, I have been saddened, but probably not surprised by so many threads here and so many people saying that those of us who are over fifty should just allow ourselves to succumb, for the good of the economy and for younger people and children. I am contributing towards the economy, through taxes etc, as most do. Are we really now saying that some lives don’t matter?

I’m appalled at the selfishness of those who feel they can ignore everything that we’ve been asked to do, join marches, gather in big groups, all the other things that make it likely that this will continue for longer than it needed to.

It is very upsetting to think that so many have so little thought for their fellow citizens and only consider their own wants. Being dismissed as irrelevant and dispensable is awful. Yes, we may be older, but we still have value, to our families and in many cases, because of our continuing contribution to the economy.

There are people that I distance myself from now and will continue to do so, because of their behaviour this year. I will never forgive those who have and continue to be, so selfish.

I agree - and some of the vitriolic hatred directed at "boomers" is sickening.

And I’m also happy to accept I am mildly hysterical and over anxious. Not so many people would accept they are selfish.

@SisterAgatha

And I’m also happy to accept I am mildly hysterical and over anxious. Not so many people would accept they are selfish.

Everyone is selfish to some extent... it’s human nature.

Yes can't believe some of the nastiness I've heard from people. Had to come off Facebook to get away from all the pious fear mongering. One person was absolutely frothing about people sitting on a bench or in a park nowhere near anyone. Whilst having a lovely huge garden at home. No thought about other people's home lives.

I am shocked that some people think it is entirely reasonable that hundreds of families should be forced to make themselves destitute to benefit other people.
I am also shocked that some people think it is entirely reasonable to pay other people to take risks to their lives that they are not willing to take to their own life. (eg online shopping) Almost like the creation of a servant class.

Chunky Yes the people with big gardens one really shocked me with their judgemental attitudes for other people wanting to breathe fresh air too.

Its been an education in the power of fear, basically. People will agree to literally anything in order to feel 'safe'.

stinky I did challenge said friend when I found out, and she said it was because she was too anxious to go to the supermarket. I didn't know how to reply to that, so I didn't and just left it. The following week she had a BBQ for around 12 people (didn't invite us) and so I assume her anxiety lifted pretty swiftly. Shorthand for CF.