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?

I have less washing and subsequently less drying and ironing.

I took part in a few interesting workshops on Zoom. I wouldn’t be able to travel down south for them.
Less hassle in the morning, no lunch bag to pack.
I also hate hugs/kisses for greetings so glad that it’s stopped. I don’t mind other people keeping a bit of distance from me.

Not a perk - our school is moving World Book Day to next week,when the kids are back at school

Being able to stream performances (music, theatre, ballet) has been amazing and relatively affordable. I hope we don't move back to a 'live in one venue only' model.

No - it's not the same as being there and never will be. But I used to go to the cinema to watch (say) Metropolitan Opera (New York) or the Moscow Ballet so it's been fabulous to be able to attend from home.

I'd happily pay to 'virtually' attend a Broadway show.

Not having to stress about a costume for World Book Day!! Thank god its this week and not next when my daughters back at school 🤣🤣

Things have become much more disabled accessible, people are willing to do Zoom meetings rather than insist that disabled people sit on public transport for 3 hours to attend a 30 minute meeting.

The access of so much streamed content ie streamed theatre.

I drank wine through my parents evening - made it much better

Our school says they are keeping parent evening online for the future

Don't have to visit anyone and inlaws stay safely tucked away abroad!

Haha I LOVE that world book day came right at the top! That was one of mine
Yes to remote parents eve (DH can't avoid like he normally does! )
Yes to Dr phone apts (they seem much better at time keeping wih apts since covid)

• not having to check PE kit/school uniform is laundered

I feel really awful about this and DS has missed his friends terribly. He's tween and got a phone for Xmas but he hasn't really used it for chatting with friends like teen DD does (might be a boy thing) but I've actually felt really relieved not having to host some of his particularly annoying friends for play dates or think of excuses not to

also I went to a quite boring school meeting via zoom, and was working (and having a chat with DH, and whatsapping a friend about the meeting) at the same time. It didn't feel like I'd wasted my evening then, which I would have done had I actually had to go in person because I didn't contribute anything to the meeting, and I didn't understand all that was being discussed!

OP I read a thread about anti-vaxxers/covid deniers saying they only want to mate with people who haven't had the vaccine so that their children are "pure" - Darwin was onto something, wasn't he .

My unexpected perk was having a guy I'd not chatted to in 12 years randomly message as he was working from home. We did a dog walk together when the first lockdown lifted and haven't been apart since!

Not feeling like my house has to be clean in case people turn up, discovering the joys of leggings with pockets, being able to stay in without FOMO and saving on holiday spending although I made up for that at Christmas.

I have also had a healthier time as before lockdown I'd have at least 2 bottles of wine a week and call friends. Weirdly and bucking trends, I've stopped drinking and catching up as mostly people are not as "busy" and are finally making an effort to call me instead.

Deffo not missing the school run either!

Agree that online parents evening was much more efficient!

I like having (some) meetings via Teams but not all.

My unexpected perk was having a guy I'd not chatted to in 12 years randomly message as he was working from home. We did a dog walk together when the first lockdown lifted and haven't been apart since!

Aww @JeSuisPoulet that's amazing! If he has a brother or even a distant single cousin send him my way

I’ve enjoyed all the online concerts. Somehow it seems more intimate, and quite exciting when they read out your question!

Less laundry without my DD's uniforms. Plus being less worried about thinking sneaking in to the washing machine that are doing to colour their white school uniform shirts (had one turn slightly pink the first year after their brother had thrown his red hoodie in as well...) as those are the only whites we have that we worry about so some days I just shove it all in.

Also, events like concerts and courses online that would normally be too far to be part of.

Yes to online parents' evenings and phone appointments with the nurse practitioners when I had an issue (before they only did that with follow-ups or to discuss test results at my GP's surgery) - though my BP device is still sitting in the box (due to a condition where digital ones often error out even at the doctor's office, I'm hopefully going to learn how to do it manually, eventually ).

yes gp online appts are amazing and yes online parents eve was much better. but daunting though as didnt know who was about to appear!

Not needing to have to make packed lunches for the DC.

Also looking forward to parents evening being online. Saves going out to the schools.

Also love e-consult, no more phoning a million times and then giving up.

Appreciate this is a slightly weird one but permanent access to my own toilet in my own home, can manage your whole period entirely from the comfort of your own house! No more hideous work toilets! 😂

No school runs
No packed lunches
My brilliant DD for company every day
Exercise classes on Zoom (hide when you don't want to do Burpees)
Wearing sandals and no socks almost all the time
Bugger all driving
Less ironing
Big hair

No after-schools collection
Going out for walks
Work meetings online so ones where I don't have to contribute I can keep working and just listen
Put up a blind in the study after living here for 15 years!!

Being at home on my period. Day 1 is always a bit of a blood bath, plus the clear out, plus the cramps. Just so much nicer to handle than in the less than private toilets at work.

Being able to do a load of washing at lunchtime, or get fresh bread baked has also helped.

EVERYTHING

no activity runs
no sitting in hot swimming pools spectator zones
No bloody play dates in parks or having other people's kids round

No reason to do anything.

I love it. I'm quietly panicky about being expected to actually go out for kids stuff. I will managed odd meal with friends ok I'd expect.

Really hope schools swap to zoom parents evenings from now on, they've been fab. Also phone call consultations at the GP, particularly for routine stuff like asthma reviews. Looking forward to WFH in the summer again, starting early to take advantage of the cool morning and then having the afternoon in the garden is bliss.