lanning our re-entry to the
world after this lockdown may
be premature. It’s still weeks
away until we can meet outside
in groups of six. Even so, we
need to give it some thought
because it’s been a long time
and it’s going to be different.
There are things we need to
consider that we’ve never
considered before (to hug or not to hug)
and many new rules – which I am
about to reveal – designed to avoid
misunderstandings, causing offence or
just boring your friends. So here goes:Be prepared to drop everything. You must
break your unbreakable routine of the last
few months. Your friends will take a very
dim view if – instead of rushing to meet
them at the earliest opportunity with a case
of wine strapped to your back – you cling
on to your lockdown habits. For example,
if you were to say, “Can’t wait to see you
but, sorry, Thursday is bridge and Friday is
conversational Spanish. And tomorrow I’ve
got yoga...” you will, guaranteed, infuriate
the person trying to meet you. Your friend
probably put down the phone at “Spanish”.Be prepared to go out a lot during the
week. Have to. At least at the start. ThereTO HUG OR NOT TO HUG?
YOUR POST-LOCKDOWN
ETIQUETTE GUIDE
Soon we’ll be taking our first baby steps to freedom. But
it is important not to get all overexcited and blow your
reborn social life before it’s had a chance to get going
again. Shane Watson
explains the new rulesis so much ground to be covered, so
much time to make up for. And if it’s all
a bit of a shock to the system, then we
recommend a 10pm curfew. Almost
preferable for the over-forties.HOW TO PLAN YOUR FIRST SOCIAL GATHERINGSDon’t insist that people come to your
garden/house (delete as appropriate), when
someone else has a firepit/massive luxury
bar area with hammocks/garden room etc.
We haven’t come this far to huddle outside
the backdoor by the bins and the bicycles
when there’s a better alternative. That’s just
the way it is, for a bit.Accept that hosting in these early days
post-lockdown is an extra responsibility.
No one wants their first post-lockdown
meet-up to be one where the hosts are still
in the bath... forgot to get the tonic... didn’t
bother with food, thought you could just
order a takeaway... haven’t quite got around
to putting the white wine in the fridge but
there might be some ice in the freezer etc.
What? NO. This social gathering doesn’t have
to be fancy, but it must be an occasion you
have planned for. You cannot run out of drink.Do not get carried away and ask everyone,
including people who have never metP
8 The Times MagazineMADAME FIGARO/JOHN HUBA/CAMERA PRESS