FPQ 74 – Back to normal?

Which pre-pandemic activities are you ready to resume (or have you already resumed)? Which, if any, pre-virus activities are you likely to continue to avoid?

My city is in lockdown for the next two weeks since we had a recent rise in Covid-19 cases. Even if restrictions are lifted ater a fortnight, I personally feel that we will need to follow lockdown precautions for the next two months. Luckily, I neither need to work from home nor do I have small children to care for.

During this tedious period of just waiting, it is very natural to fantasize over what I would like to do once things return to normal. 

Two pre-pandemic activities that I have really missed and that I intend returning to are:

Hanging out with friends

I used to meet with a small group of friends fairly regularly. They are my college buddies with whom I can let my hair down and have a lot of fun. When things go back to normal, I intend meeting with them again, albeit with precautions (no hugs now). These casual get togethers are great stress busters for all of us because we air our peeves and go into whoops of laughter over the silliest jokes. It’s a lot of fun !

Shopping for non-essentials

Ever since the pandemic reached my part of the world I have been going shopping only for groceries and medicines. Like most people, I am making do with the clothes and shoes that I have at home. Several items that were just lying around unused have been brought into service, so I guess that is a good thing.

I have really missed shopping for clothes, shoes and accessories which is one of my favourite activities. I am a great fan of retail therapy, within the limits of reason though. This is something I am really looking forward to once things get back to normal.

 

 

Pre-pandemic activities that I will continue to avoid even when things return to normal:

Buffet style eating

While eating out, buffet style meals were always very convenient. When entertaining or meeting up with friends in a large-ish group, buffet teas and lunches made a lot of sense. There was always something or the other to satisfy even the pickiest eater since there was a large variety of food. Also, it saved a lot of time since you didn’t have to go through the selecting, ordering and then waiting that accompanies a la carte cuisine. Last, but not least, most buffets were good value for money.

However, the pandemic has changed the way I look at buffets. I recently saw a TV documentary where during an experiment some fluorescent substance was put on the handles of serving spoons and ladles at a buffet style meal. I was appalled to see how the fluorescent dye spread throughout the group of people. It got on to their hands, faces, clothes and handbags. 

Post pandemic, even when buffet meals are re-instituted, I think I am going to pass.

 

Shopping in small old fashioned bazaars / markets

I have always been fond of shopping in quaint old bazaars at home and abroad, preferring them to modern shopping malls. These old fashioned markets tend to be narrow with small shops. In the current scenario, even after the pandemic is over I will probably not frequent such markets any more. More pandemics are being predicted and crowded markets with poor ventilation are no longer a good idea.

 

Whether we like it or not, the world has changed in 2020. This pandemic, even when it is over is going to have far reaching consequences on the way we live. Our activities are going to be modified. Maybe this is how civilisations changed in the past. What do you think?

 

Written for :

https://fivedotoh.com/2020/06/17/fandangos-provocative-question-74/