What is the difference between...

[RightMovesAlong]

meeting one person at a park for a picnic and meeting that person in your garden for a cuppa?

I have followed the rules to the letter, which includes going beyond them. I've not seen my elderly mum for 6 months even though I could be classed as offering relief care, simply because I didn't want to risk infecting her because I'd have to live in her house. I've not seen any of my adult children for the same time, and longer.

Unlike some neighbours and people I know who have bent the rules a bit, I've not.

So now, I could see an adult DC in a park or on a public bench, I'd need to use a public toilet most likely, but I can't have them on my patio.

I understand that people may take liberties and 'in the garden' becomes in the house for a full meal. But we wouldn't do that.

I've also been vaccinated.

Do you think it's unreasonable to meet in a garden, rather than 100 yards round the corner on a public seat?

I think it's an attempt to keep things really separate and avoid that slippery slope, like you say.

But personally, no, I think YANBU.

I am in a similar situation (my widowed mum is 250 miles away, haven’t seen her since July). I don’t think YABU, but I believe the rationale behind meeting in public spaces is that people are less likely to break social distancing rules if they are being “watched”.

I agree but there are already so many idiots who are breaking the rules, easier to monitor if public. I suppose that's it.

I'd love to use my garden though!

I think it’s because the SD part may be forgotten when at home and if it rains etc people may just go indoors.

It's because most people won't just stay in the garden. They'll use the toilet, or come indoors if it rains or whatever. However of course the actual risk isn't any higher in a garden than any other outside space. So I'd just do it if you want to OP. As you say, most people have bent the rules slightly by this point.

No difference apart from the fact you may say oh come inside and have a coffee and hug .
It’s being cautious, over cautious some may say but I suppose we’ll see .

I'm glad it's not just me!

I've not seen any family for so long and have been really, really careful. As I say, I've taken a VERY dim view of people breaking the rules. Like friends who met 2 families outside and 'pretended' to walk as 3 single groups etc or their Xmas gatherings were 3 adult households in a bubble etc.

So I've done none of that.
Not seen anyone for months and months. Xmas pressies still here in bags.

The way I'd work it would be if the weather was good at a weekend from 8 March, I might suggest to one DC they come over and sit on the patio. We would not eat in the house.
We had planned to eat Xmas dinner outside- we'd bought a fire pit - but our Tier wasn't allowed to meet anyone in the end.

So...I have been super careful and law abiding.

And now I've had the vaccine.

No difference apart from the fact you may say oh come inside and have a coffee and hug .

Personally, I won't :)

It's so that people don't take too many liberties too early on.

One extra person, someone nips to the loo and 10 mins later everyone's indoors etc.

We have a very optimistic path in front of us, which could be badly derailed if we skip from more contact, outdoors in public (where people generally stick more closely to what is expected) and go straight to full indoors two household mixing.

It's also a piece of 'theatre' - it reminds us that we're not quite there yet

If you’ve both been vaccinated why don’t you just go see her.
I would.

The difference is about three weeks Sorry, couldn't resist.

Seriously, be careful but from a risk pov there would appear to be no difference.

@RightMovesAlong

I'm glad it's not just me!

I've not seen any family for so long and have been really, really careful. As I say, I've taken a VERY dim view of people breaking the rules. Like friends who met 2 families outside and 'pretended' to walk as 3 single groups etc or their Xmas gatherings were 3 adult households in a bubble etc.

So I've done none of that.
Not seen anyone for months and months. Xmas pressies still here in bags.

The way I'd work it would be if the weather was good at a weekend from 8 March, I might suggest to one DC they come over and sit on the patio. We would not eat in the house.
We had planned to eat Xmas dinner outside- we'd bought a fire pit - but our Tier wasn't allowed to meet anyone in the end.

So...I have been super careful and law abiding.

And now I've had the vaccine.

Turn it around the other way. Why don’t you want to meet your DC in a park? Why is your garden better?

@Racoonworld I don't have park near me, just open countryside. I also have IBS which means I need aloo sometimes at short notice.