The New Social Etiquette

SINCE OUR ENTIRE LIFESTYLES HAVE BEEN REWRITTEN, NEW MANNERS AND SOCIAL NORMS WERE DESTINED TO ARISE. HERE’S A REVISED GUIDE LIST ON HOW TO NAVIGATE SOCIAL ETIQUETTE NOWADAYS...IN CASE YOU’VE FORGOTTEN!

So you decided to put on a mask and venture out for a cup of coffee today. You haven’t seen anyone in days and you’re not sure if your voice still works. You’ve grown accustomed to sitting back and watching creatures pass on the streets in this dystopian-like concrete jungle, meanwhile your favorite going out dress collects dust in the back of your closet. When you look at it you can still hear the thumping base of a social nightlife from what feels like eons ago. Now, the idea of being in a room filled with random people is slightly terrifying. You’ve forgotten how to meet people but want to. No worries, we’re here to help. Welcome to your new guide to social etiquette in a post pandemic world.

1.

First, bid your dwelling partner that resides in the mirror adieu, you’ve moved on to bigger and better things. Other Real. Living. People. While it sounds somewhat crazy, speaking to yourself in the mirror can boost your confidence and make you feel more comfortable when you’re speaking to others later on. This can be conversational, spoken mantras and affirmations, compliments, whatever works for you. Think of it as practice every morning before you start your day.

2.

A well put together ensemble is how we show ourselves off to the world, and seeing as you haven’t experienced that in a while, you’ll want to use this to your advantage. Wear what makes you feel the best, if it’s an old hoodie and sweats, that’s perfectly fine, as long as it’s something that you feel good in! However, this is also a great opportunity to get out of the loungewear we’ve been wearing almost daily. If you missed getting ready like I think you did, now is a great time to do so.

3.

Next, remember that pants are STILL necessary; life may only happen from the waist up these days in your bedroom but not when you leave your house. Start wearing bottoms again. It doesn’t matter if you’re on a Zoom call or Facetime and they won’t see your bottom half because it will bring back some normalcy. It’s so simple: present yourself the best you can; while COVID-19 has changed a lot of our social standards, it hasn’t changed this one.

4.

The key to a great social interaction is a smile, so don’t forget to add that smize due to your mask covered mouth. Be sure not to come off as creepy or predatorial, Tyra Banks taught you better than that. Smiling is up to you, but it is important to remember that 93% of communication is nonverbal, so it is especially hard to read body language when your nose and mouth are hidden. If you’re a Grey’s Anatomy fan, now is your time to shine, show off those communication skills with a mask.

5.

It’s time to find someone to bring that extra spice to your life, even if they are a subway rat or your local park pigeon. Be bold enough to reach out to someone you don’t know or might not normally approach. It’s not hard to get to know new people and many are willing to connect but just need the extra push. Consider getting to know the people you encounter regularly such as your local barista, neighbor, or even mailman. Take the plunge, try something new, introduce yourself, get crazy and maybe even shake elbows!

6.

At this point, you are desperate for some human interaction. It’s time to find unconventional ways to meet up with your new unconventional friend(s). When you do meet someone, do the work to make sure you stay in touch. Don’t be afraid to try new things! This could be meeting up in the park to stay socially distanced, playing games, doing themed events over Zoom/Facetime, even a distanced viewing/binge party of a show you’re both interested in watching might be fun!

7.

Last but most certainly not least, don’t forget everyone’s favorite accessory: a mask. Stay safe! Don’t put yourself or others at risk, your health is important. Masks are a fashion statement these days. A funky DIY or statement mask can really sell your look and add some mystery to what’s really underneath!

Amid living in a world-wide pandemic, many of us have become accustomed to living as a hermit for the sake of our health and safety, but mental health is important too. It’s okay to miss human interaction and to be nervous about getting back out there. Be confident, prioritize yourself, stay open to new people and ideas, protect yourself and others from illness but don’t lose sight of what makes us human: our connections with others.