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Original poster

Anyone just have no interest in socialising in places with the restrictions in place?

123 replies

User135644 · 18/04/2021 13:34

I'm not saying there shouldn't be restrictions at all, just that I don't see the fun in any of it. Being forced to sit outdoors in several layers of clothes to keep warm, so you can have a glass of wine, a pint or some food. Having to put a mask on to go to the fucking toilet. Sit here, don't sit there, one way systems, yellow tape everywhere, remain seated or put your hand up to go to the toilet, wear a mask on any public transport, the hassle of shopping.

I can understand people have been out to go to the pub or shop this week and had a great time and see it as a step back to normal. I just find it too demoralising to be doing these things for fun. i can only be bothered when it's essential, like a weekly shop.

OP posts:
exLtEveDallas · 19/04/2021 06:51

We spent a week at our caravan on the coast and it just wasn’t as relaxing as it usually is. We usually eat out every other evening, but we only managed twice, and to the same place. The walks were the same thankfully but the evening stuff - pubs, amusements, fair just didn’t happen. Our fave bar is using the CV19 app for check in and then app ordering but it is badly done so we gave up before the first drink. The second bar is 1 hour only unless eating (they have limited outside space) so it felt rushed. We usually have one shopping day and one sightseeing day - we didn’t bother with shopping abs the sightseeing was pretty boring as so many things were closed.

I love being at the coast, but it was all a bit ‘meh’. Hopefully things will improve by May half term.

WaterBottle123 · 19/04/2021 07:11

Going out with restrictions I'd like anything in life OP, it depends on your attitude as to whether it will be fun or not. Personally I hate the cold but I miss my friends and hate monotony so I've layered up and been out, even taking a hot water bottle to the pub, it was excellent, but then I chose to have a positive attitude toward the whole thing. And I like to support local businesses, I feel it's my duty, as I can afford it.

Ohnomoreno · 19/04/2021 07:14

I've done it all this week but tbh until the masks are gone I'm not doing it again. Not much point going to a clothes shop if I can't try stuff on, so I've ordered online anyway.

LucilleTheVampireBat · 19/04/2021 08:16

Depends where you go. The pubs we go to have outdoor areas that are pretty much the same as being inside, and with the heaters are just as warm.

Porcupineintherough · 19/04/2021 08:20

Doesnt bother me and as everything locally is rammed I assume it doesnt bother a lot of people. Just as well that some are still swerving it or competition for places would be even bigger.

ilovesooty · 19/04/2021 10:10

@JenerationH

Librarians are like teachers - much wetter than the average person.
Offensive generalisation.
ExConstance · 19/04/2021 10:19

I agree, OP. I'm delighted to see everyone out and about enjoying themselves but I'm a bit too averse to the cold and like my creature comforts too much to join in until 17 May.
DS1 has a big birthday on Friday. In theory we could meet up for an outside meal and /or picnic but he is delaying his celebration until next month in the hope it can be more normal. His birthday last year was spoiled by Royal Mail losing his big box of presents so I do understand.

Gothichouse40 · 19/04/2021 10:39

I've mixed feelings, want to support people's jobs but queuing I just cannot be bothered with. If I cannot try on clothes,that's another pain as I find sizing so awful , now I did tend to try on things before buying. All the beauty spots up here in Scotland are heaving, weather not the warmest. Everyone seems to gravitate towards the same places. Our local country park had to turn people away there were so many and the car park could not cope. I might go to a restaurant if I can pre book. Like many others Im past bothering. I miss a browse in the library. It's awful but I cannot even be bothered visiting people just now.

herecomesthsun · 19/04/2021 11:19

So this morning I took my son to school, went to the farm shop, then picked up some second hand books, a sunhat, some puzzle games (family loves puzzles) and a second hand CD. Then I went to the mobile phone shop and got a small problem sorted out. Very happy, lovely sunny day.

It is however difficult to chat to second hand bookshop staff when we are both wearing masks, other than that, a great morning.

TattyDevine · 19/04/2021 11:30

I've not been to a pub or restaurant yet, but on the right day weather wise, with the right people, I wouldn't rule it out.

The thing is, there's a lot of people sitting on a big wad of saved cash. I'm well aware that many have lost jobs, incomes, savings, businesses. But there is also a demographic that hasn't spent on a season ticket, parking, 2 holidays, diesel, salons, gyms, restaurants, entertaining etc for the past year.

They want this money back in the economy and I think they've learned from last year's experience that it's not so much that people are "scared" - particularly now there is a vaccine - but that people part with cash when it is worth their while.

Tedious one way systems, hazard tape, patronising posters and tannoy announcements barking orders, masks, and arbitrary rules do not inspire people who are seeking a quality experience to part with their money.

JenerationH · 19/04/2021 11:54

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

hellcatspangle · 19/04/2021 12:27

No...we went out Friday evening for drinks with some friends and it was fabulous!

psychomath · 19/04/2021 14:32

Anyone who hasn't been out to eat yet, I'd suggest trying it before you write it off - I've been to a pub, a cafe and a restaurant and they were all great and didn't feel weird at all. It is uncharacteristically warm here at the moment though which obviously helps when you have to sit outside.

eurochick · 19/04/2021 14:35

I agree. The lack of spontaneity and fear of unwittingly making some COVID misstep and being "told off" sucks the joy out of going out. We are generally sticking to walks and garden socialising for now. Although I am quite tempted to book a pub soon just so I don't have to decide what to have for dinner at home for one day!

shumway · 19/04/2021 14:55

I had a cafe lunch out and went in a few shops on saturday and lunch in a pub garden on sunday. Enjoyed both.

RaisinsRuinEverything · 19/04/2021 15:15

Totally agree. I'm holding out for warmer weather and less rules/restrictions (hopefully in May/June)

BogRollBOGOF · 19/04/2021 18:13

There's no point in doing something for pleasure if it isn't pleasurable.

Last week we went to a farm that's sensibly managed, a beer garden for lunch and a sports shop to sort out the rapidly growing DC's supplies. All fine.

I'm done on playing panic attack/ sensory overwhelm roulette with masks and visors. I still have marks on my face from the final attempt 3 months ago. There's no pleasure in being in environments trying to cope with lipreading fabric and process distorted speech. I can just about cope with short predictable scenarios like taking a food order. Places like museums, I'll swerve until the mask mandate is scrapped.

Some things like swimming, I'd normally do spontaneously so they're currently out. A private hire of the pool for a family swim isn't justifiable.

There's also no pleasure in going somewhere arranged like a radioactive hazard zone.

So I'm being choosy about getting out as much to places that are pleasant. Fortunately I like the great outdoors anyway and it's got better now people can spread out back to their happy places.

LST · 19/04/2021 18:14

I enjoyed camping at the weekend with friends. Campfire kept us plenty warm enough. I won't be going to pubs unless its lovely out and the sun is shining in the beer garden

Northernsoulgirl45 · 19/04/2021 19:06

JenerationH

Librarians are like teachers - much wetter than the average person.

Offensive generalisation.
Absolutely and I bet it isn't the librarian making the rules. There will be risk assessments much higher up.

Personally would be happy to meet for coffee and Cake in Local Country Park cafe or a quick bite in local pub. Shops not so much but each to their own
Dismissing it purely on it being cold when many places aren't or because you need to wear a mask to go to the loo is IMO a bit strange but each to their own.

Tumbleweed101 · 19/04/2021 19:47

Haven't got a problem with eating out as that wasn't too bad last time and masks are removed at tables but hate masks for shopping and other indoor activities. Until they stop being mandatory I wont be out often. Is annoying when you have had a clear LFT to still have to wear them (since they've been promoted to protect others not the wearer).

IAmTheDuke · 19/04/2021 19:50

Agree Tumbleweed. I do two LFT tests a week and have had first vaccination so the chances of me

  1. having it or 2) passing it on are very low.
CoffeeWithCheese · 19/04/2021 19:50

No interest in going out when things are how they currently are. I'm not going to freeze my arse off sitting in a carpark pretending this is some amazing bit of liberty and that all is right with the world, and I'm not going to go shopping when rows of masked faces really do freak me the fuck out for various reasons. If I'm going to spend money, I'll wait until it brings me enjoyment and not some kind of endurance task.

I'm also not going back to any shop or premises that has used the pandemic to treat people like shit, any that demanded to see these mythical "proof" cards for face mask exemptions, and any of the stores that treated parents who HAD to have children with them while shopping like shit.

Wherediditgo · 19/04/2021 20:22

Yes I’m totally with you OP.
Also - I don’t want to be around crows of people. Not a Covid thing - more that I’m not sure I’d cope with it after so long of not being in crowded places if that makes sense. Lockdown has bought social anxiety for me.

Malteser71 · 19/04/2021 20:27

I’m almost 50, I’m sick of being told off for inadvertently making a mistake.

I’ve had both vaccines, I work from home. I am a perfectly law abiding healthy person, I won’t go anywhere that some fucking kid is going to bark at me for doing something wrong as though I’ve got a virus that I haven’t got.

Plenty of places I’ll never return to as a result, too.

Chessie678 · 19/04/2021 20:29

I’m trying to support local businesses. Some have managed to make it a nice experience despite covid and some have sucked all the joy out of it. I have a one year old and that can just add a layer of stress which makes it not worth it - I got barked at for taking pram out wrong exit the other day even though the other exit was down stairs which I couldn’t have got down. I also don’t like spending a lot of time around baby in a mask though I can tolerate it myself. I’ve found the independents better because I guess they’re less worried about enforcement action if they don’t quite do things by the book.

I’ve decided baby groups aren’t worth it until things loosen up. You sit 2m away from everyone, usually in a mask, can’t sing, discouraged from socialising and have to try to keep baby from crawling too near other babies. At my baby swimming you get changed right at the edge of the pool so you’re trying to dress yourself and not let toddler crawl towards water - how that’s safer than being in a separate cubicle in the changing room god alone knows.