Unexpected 'pandemic perks'

[Sparklfairy]

Lighthearted obviously as this last year has been awful.

I recently started swiping on a dating app again now that the weather is getting better and things will be opening up soon. Almost immediately (two or three messages in) I was asked if I had been 'Boris compliant'

I said yes, joking that there was nowhere to go anyway.

I got a snotty message back calling me a 'sheep' and something about rebelling against removal of freedoms and I'm pretty sure there was a 'no one can tell ME what to do' thrown in for good measure. Tbh I glazed over

Whilst I appreciate everyone is fed up and lots of people have either stretched, bent or broken the rules, I don't care or judge that. I do judge when a grown man starts foot stamping to a total stranger they (presumably) eventually want a date with.

Always nice when you can weed out the arseholes early

Other perks, I like that I can now wriggle out of talk of dates if I change my mind by saying I have to isolate/get a test (I'm terrible at deciding someone isn't for me before we meet and extricating myself). Also ordering stuff and answering the door looking scruffy and I don't care anymore. Possibly should start fixing that one

Anyone else?

Me and my friend are just discussing how we won't have to go the easter bonnet parade at school! 🙌🙌

@OliveTree75 oh my lord... I had to google what this was as I don't have kids, and it's even worse than I feared!

You don't think they'll attempt to do a zoom version, do you?

WORLD BOOK DAY IS A REMOTE LEARNING DAY.

I was also thinking about World Book Day being at home, not school

Going to watch our favourite football team normally costs a small fortune so we can only go to a handful of games each season.
As fans haven't been allowed to attend clubs have been streaming every game which they're not normally allowed to do.
We've been able to watch far more games on the live stream for a lot less money since the pandemic.
I know it's not the same as going to the matches but at least we get to watch them play.

parents evening by school cloud is my perk! no more cattle market in the school hall with my poor hearing, over run appointments, parking and child care! all done and dusted in 40mins from my sofa.

Totally agree about parents evening!

What I hated most was that half the teachers would be running late and others wouldn’t so you would never know whether to go to the teacher that had finally become free or if you might end up missing your slot with the on time teachers. So much angst!
Now all the appointments happen when they’re meant to and waffly teachers get cut off. Brilliant.

I haven't had to replace a laddered pair of tights on the way to work for nearly a year. I must have saved a fortune.

@pappajonessecretchild

parents evening by school cloud is my perk! no more cattle market in the school hall with my poor hearing, over run appointments, parking and child care! all done and dusted in 40mins from my sofa.

Parents evening was so funny - they had a great system where you logged in and when it was time for your next appointment that teacher popped up. It was our first parents evening for DS’s secondary school and so we didn’t know what any of the teachers would look like, we only had their names to go on. Some of them seemed so young!

Being able to buy a few nicer furnishings!

Less money spent going out and about has meant I've been able to get a few bits I usually put off, like a picture for the wall and a nice lamp. Moving onto a pouffe next .

I normally have to visit a chiropodist twice a year to remove all my unsightly hard skin from my feet, I haven't needed to go since 2019 and I can only assume it is because 90% of the time I'm barefoot or in slippers.

My skin looks great. I've not worn any makeup (which I was doing out of habit tbh) for a year, basically. Got a bit of sun because it's now possible to sit outside at lunchtime instead of eating al desko. Saved a bomb on commuting costs.
When we were allowed out in the autumn last year, I really liked the pre-book system with table service for pubs; no more jostling at the bar and having men take up all of the space.

@BobbinThreadbare123

My skin looks great. I've not worn any makeup (which I was doing out of habit tbh) for a year, basically. Got a bit of sun because it's now possible to sit outside at lunchtime instead of eating al desko. Saved a bomb on commuting costs. When we were allowed out in the autumn last year, I really liked the pre-book system with table service for pubs; no more jostling at the bar and having men take up all of the space.

Same with makeup. I've saved a fortune on slap and I didn't even wear that much Also haven't shaved my legs in a year Might need to get an industrial strength razor or a strimmer for when I finally decide to tackle that...

Not shaving your legs = growing a sensible winter coat and saving on razor blade costs

Zoom parents evening has been brilliant.

Also, my doctors surgery introduced e-consult. Fill in a form on their website, attach photos and the doctor calls you back. I love it, it’s been brilliant. No phoning umpteen times before you can get through

No after school clubs. A mixed thing for me, but I’ve four kids and three school pick ups already, so by the time I add in swimming x2, lifeguarding, drama x3, gymnastics x2, dance, climbing, riding, football and informal taxiing to friends it’s a bit crazy.
They can choose two clubs each when things start up, and that’s it. And the older ones can get the bus. I’ve really enjoyed not being manic...(although home schooling can do one).

Oh yes definitely my skin! Not wearing make up (aside from a bit last summer...) has really helped my skin.

E-consult is fab! Filled out a request for anti biotics for a water infection (after waiting the 3 days as per NHS website) at 5am when couldn't sleep because of it, phone call later that morning to confirm prescription had been sent to pharmacy.

Also, having telephone appointments for contraceptive pill check ups! Much easier. I have my own BP machine though.

My GP surgery has an online form you can fill in with your problem, then a doctor or nurse will call you. They might solve the problem then or invite you in for an appointment. Sooooo much better than desperately trying to call at 8am for an appointment.
Online parents' evening has been better parent. It was worse as a teacher but that was because my school did not have a sensible system in place so it was faffy and annoying. The system my son's school used is brilliant.
Not having to awkwardly hug or cheek-kiss. I really don't want to go back to that.

I agree about the hugging and kissing thing. I hope that dies a death thanks to the pandemic. I can just about cope with a hug from someone I like a lot but kissing can feck off.

@BobbinThreadbare123

I agree about the hugging and kissing thing. I hope that dies a death thanks to the pandemic. I can just about cope with a hug from someone I like a lot but kissing can feck off.

And hand shakes too! Double win.

Not having to get up at 5am to fit everything in before work!

Not a problem I suffer from but I was thinking the other day that home working must be a boon for the people who used to post on mumsnet about how they could only use ther own loo.The nation's digestive health must be much improved.

Periods are certainly much easier to manage when working from home: no need to find a loo with a disposal unit, no chance of starting early and not having a tampon to hand, can work with a hot water bottle on lap, etc.

I hope no-one complies with Boris Johnson's example when it comes to relationships.

I never expected to find wfh such a benefit, in terms of the time saving, the local walks, and being able to manage the meetings I host so much better via Zoom or Teams.

Not having to sort uniforms etc and mornings have been easier I suppose