Hello world! Navigating the tricky new etiquette
This week I’ve done seven speaking events, plus kicking off a nationwide research tour, which has demanded navigating the world as it wakes up.
It’s a complex place!
The FT reports rumours that ‘la bise’ is hesitantly back in Paris. My sources—thank you Lydik—tell me that in some settings it is, but the man-to-man bise is less than before.
Meanwhile, mask wearing is still very much required in Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. But far less so in London, where a mystifying mix of bear-hugging, hand shaking, or elbow waving is all happening. Our school playground policy demands masks, but hardly anyone is wearing them—including the head.
So what is going on?
Submarines vs. Cruise-crowd
On the one end, we have what I am calling the submarines. These people may—or may not—have health worries, andcontinue to take the Covid guidelines very seriously. (Dettoling their food, declining socialising, and singing ‘happybirthday’ everytime they wash their hands.)
A tax lawyer told me that he has absolutely no intention of returning to his office, and is completely ignoring the many prompts from his boss about when and how often he plans to be in. Not because he is worried about Covid (although he will claim that if challenged) but because he doesn’t want to, and can do his job perfectly well from home.
If you’re his boss (or manage someone like him), please let me know how you feel about this submarining.
At the other end of the spectrum, is what I call the cruise-crowd who just want to get back out with people and have fun. This group will go anywhere, meet everyone, and get high on conversation and laughter.
In between are the rest of us, trying to navigate the two.
The unspoken rules:
The more sensitive person defines the conduct: we approach each other like wary dogs and figure out what level of contact is correct.
Conservatism generally—as in erring to masks—leads to less potential conflict. Especially in more cautious places. (Maybe something Boris Johnson should have considered for his White House meeting? )
3. BUT, too much compliance kills the joy of interaction, so don’t get carried away with sitting people 2 meters apart and erecting more plastic screens—the people who are out are, by definition, more relaxed.
My advice?
This is the moment to host your live events: conferences have the buzz of Freshers’ Week at the moment. Even little ones. Some of your audience will be keen as mustard to show up. And, if you offer a live stream version, those that don’t can still catch up.
So let’s be brave. But hold back on the cheek kissing… something we should have ditched in a business setting years ago anyway (don’t you think?).
Next week:
Surviving by finding one thing you love.
See you out there!
Christine
