Carla DiBello On The New Normal and Post-Covid Life…
Entrepreneur and celebrity style insider Carla DiBello on the social etiquette surrounding a re-entry to life as (pseudo) normal…
For over a year, we’ve looked forward to the end of the pandemic and a shift towards ‘normal.’ However, now that we’re nearing the finish line, a return to normal just isn’t that simple. The closer we get to re-entering everyday life, the more anxiety there is about regular, in-person interactions. And as I start to attend more in-person meetings and events myself, it’s got me thinking about my own boundaries and interactions and how they may be perceived.
We’ve spent an entire year in controlled environments. From full-on social isolation, to regulated gatherings with a limited number of people, to required sanitation practices and a prescribed six feet of personal space, we’ve lived with new measures of protection long enough to have come to rely on them.
As the vaccines roll out and these measures begin to shift, a wave of anxiety and uncertainty within new social situations is more than understandable. In many ways, our security blankets feel like they are being taken away from us. If you’re experiencing anxiety, you’re not alone. The American Psychological Association, for example, reported that “46 per cent of adults said they do not feel comfortable going back to living life like they used to before the pandemic, and nearly half (49 per cent) said they feel uneasy about adjusting to in-person interaction once the pandemic ends.” Interestingly enough, the level of concern is the same for adults who have received a vaccine and those who haven’t (48 per cent vs. 49 per cent, respectively).
So how do we ease back into life as we knew it while protecting ourselves and our mental health? And how do we do all that while simultaneously being considerate to those around us? In my belief, it all comes down to understanding and respecting that people will have different ranges of comfort levels with different kinds of interactions – and clear, honest communication.
As we move towards a new normal, it makes sense that our social etiquette adjusts accordingly. For instance as gatherings increase, it can be courteous as the host to disclose in advance how many people and who will be attending for the safety and peace of mind of your guests. It’s also completely acceptable as a guest to ask these types of questions ahead of time.
Similarly, it has become standard etiquette to let people know if you are vaccinated or not ahead of meeting. And regardless of vaccination status, it’s polite to ask permission before resuming any kind of pre-pandemic behaviour in the company of others – from taking off your mask, to coming closer than six feet, to offering a handshake or hug. Assuming that a person is comfortable with normal interactions without asking has become a sign of disrespect of personal safety and personal boundaries. Regardless of how safe you may feel within an interaction, or even what the standard guidelines are, considering how other people feel should always be a part of the equation.
Details also matter. While constantly sanitising or washing your hands after interacting with people or the space around you may have felt rude pre-pandemic, it’s now very much a sign of respect. It shows that you care for the personal safety of others and that you are responsible for your own germs as well.
As difficult as it can be, refraining from constantly touching your mask can also help ease the minds of those around you and is a respectful, sanitary measure. It’s similarly a good idea to refrain from speaking while hugging. One study from National Institutes of Health found that, while smaller in size, speaking produces significantly more saliva droplets than coughing. Combine this with the close proximity of a physical interaction and you’re essentially bathing a person’s face in saliva droplets.
Another thing I like to do is to make interactions more comfortable by letting people know my mindset and boundaries ahead of meeting in person.While it may feel awkward at first, it makes the interaction itself far more comfortable and helps prevent any assumptions that might lead to conflict or even more awkward moments.
While we may all have differences in mindset when it comes to COVID-19, masks and vaccinations, being understanding, tolerant and supportive of people’s individual concerns and feelings of safety is crucial to moving forward towards a better future together. This starts with honest, open communication without
the fear of judgement about our own individual needs, and the awareness and acceptance that other people’s experiences are different from our own. If we were to collectively become better at doing this, I can only imagine how much better the world could be.
Follow Carla Dibello on Instagram @carladibello
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s June 2021 Issue
