AmeliaG

As we come up on the Vegas show, I've been wondering how folks feel about what is appropriate for in-person interactions. We need a minimal contact way to express warmth and pleasure in seeing one another.

For example, years ago, after moving to the West Coast, I figured that a hug did not mean to a Californian what it means to a New Yorker, and it seemed to be preferred, so I trained myself to usually opt for a hug in the handshake/air kiss/hug game of rock paper scissors. Also, hugs come across as warm while having most minimal germ transfer.

In a pandemic, there are a lot of situations where you can't even replace physical contact with a warm smile.

Personally, I just don't want to be touchy feely under the circumstances. No, I don't want someone rubbing on me with their bare elbow they've been coughing on instead.

I've been a bit frustrated that some of the people I know who are constantly ranting on Facebook or whatever about draconian pandemic rules being great, while being personally careless and giving absolutely zero respect to personal choice or lack of consent in these situations. There are people I normally like, who I just can't be around now, because they are always pressuring me to touch them or give them a sip of my drink or take a bite off their plate.

So what do we feel is the correct etiquette when we are finally able to see one another in January? When almost everyone is making the same choices and those choices fit one's own comfort, it is easy, but it definitely gets harder when either everyone is on a different page or the popular choice is personally uncomfortable.