OT: COVID long term lifestyle changes?

[Kathy]

The problem is Boomers also love self-checkout and they spend 10 minutes checking out for a dozen items. My favorite is the folks paying with cash and exact change at self-checkout.

Quite a generalization there.

 

[Chuck]

I'm staying out of the COVID part of the conversation. It's a no-win argument. That being said, here are just a few things I want to see continue. Most involve how much I've loved not being sick for 1.5 years.

• I will not shake hands unless I have to. I don't need to touch you (or be touched by you) to greet.
• Masks in certain circumstances. I've attached an article which solidifies my desire to continue wearing a mask in certain circumstances. I just got back from my first flight since the pandemic started. Wearing a KN95 for 5 hours barely bothered me at all. The first case of monkeypox in the U.S. since 2003 has been diagnosed in a Texas resident
• Informal yard gatherings over constantly meeting at an expensive restaurant. Our hot tub (mentioned in a thread about pools) is in and I make good cocktails. I've lost nearly 60 pounds since initially putting on weight and I think a big part of it is eating out less. We still do a lot of take out when we meet up with people, but I feel less compulsion to order badly.
• @ChinDiesel mentioned grocery delivery to home and/or car. I've gone back to the store occasionally, but we have a pretty good pattern of delivery and pick-up now and I don't think we'll stop.
• Work from home. There are pros and cons, but I think I'm home permanently, and on the whole I'm good with that. I bought a nice desk and a book shelf and the guest room makes an awesome office with my own executive bathroom, a glider chair, and of course a bed!

 

[Excalibur]

I don’t see a lot of permanent changes. There will be more working from home, obviously, but people will eventually figure out that WFH isn’t necessarily for the employee’s benefit. If you can avoid blurring the workday, or if you already worth a sh!+ton of hours anyway, great. But for everyone else, the trade-off is that you will work more and to be expected to be available more often.

Young people are always going to want to live in cities. Now that millennials are having family as they’re moving to the suburbs and Covid accelerated that. It all goes in cycles.

 

[Improviser]

I'm staying out of the COVID part of the conversation. It's a no-win argument. That being said, here are just a few things I want to see continue. Most involve how much I've loved not being sick for 1.5 years.

• I will not shake hands unless I have to. I don't need to touch you (or be touched by you) to greet.
• Masks in certain circumstances. I've attached an article which solidifies my desire to continue wearing a mask in certain circumstances. I just got back from my first flight since the pandemic started. Wearing a KN95 for 5 hours barely bothered me at all. The first case of monkeypox in the U.S. since 2003 has been diagnosed in a Texas resident
• Informal yard gatherings over constantly meeting at an expensive restaurant. Our hot tub (mentioned in a thread about pools) is in and I make good cocktails. I've lost nearly 60 pounds since initially putting on weight and I think a big part of it is eating out less. We still do a lot of take out when we meet up with people, but I feel less compulsion to order badly.
• @ChinDiesel mentioned grocery delivery to home and/or car. I've gone back to the store occasionally, but we have a pretty good pattern of delivery and pick-up now and I don't think we'll stop.
• Work from home. There are pros and cons, but I think I'm home permanently, and on the whole I'm good with that. I bought a nice desk and a book shelf and the guest room makes an awesome office with my own executive bathroom, a glider chair, and of course a bed!

Home delivery and take-out saves a lot of time. Once in a while, I will go inside a Natural Food Store for their store prepared ratatouille and quinoa, soups, and peanut butter from the machine that grinds the peanuts (no salt of course from the process).

I always hated shaking hands knowing how unsanitary it is, so I hope non-shaking becomes a permanent norm.

BTW, with your home office setup, don't forget a standing desk so you can alternate between sitting and standing.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Traffic where I live has been worst I've ever seen.

Yesterday afternoon, it took me 3 1/2 hours to drive from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn to Norwalk, CT. A new record for me (previous "best" was 2 hours, 20 minutes). Without traffic, I can get there in about 70 minutes.

It was so slow, people were selling sliced mango in between the lanes.

 

[M.S.G.]

What state is that where kids and staff will be wearing masks this upcoming school year?

I'm in eastern CT now, but headed to Central MA for next year and I see it being a thing in both states.

 

[Improviser]

This thread is making me wonder if we should do a separate thread on the different kinds of handshakes and when or where they are used. The business shake, the double shake, the handshake into bro hug, handshake into left hand on the side of shoulder all come to mind.

Shoulder tap works for me as an alternative to the handshake. If I go first, the other person usually gets the hint.

 

[husky429]

I'm in eastern CT now, but headed to Central MA for next year and I see it being a thing in both states.

I think definitely at the elementary levels. Kids I teach are all old enough to have been vaccinated, so I'm hoping we can go with no masks.

The kids are 100% going to refuse to wear them. The kids did this year in the midst of the pandemic when everyone was wearing them in public.

 

[Excalibur]

I think definitely at the elementary levels. Kids I teach are all old enough to have been vaccinated, so I'm hoping we can go with no masks.

The kids are 100% going to refuse to wear them. The kids did this year in the midst of the pandemic when everyone was wearing them in public.

Not in our district, and not in any district where elementary school teachers that I know taught. Wearing masks overwhelmingly didn’t bother kids, unless their parents were at home complaining that the mask was the greatest infringement of our liberties since the stamp act.

I’m not sure it’s necessary, but at least some districts in the northeast will probably have kids in masks, at least at the elementary school level.

 

[Kolumbo]

L.L. Bean Blucher Mocs. Looking for a versatile shoe and owned a pair of these about 20 years ago. Can't believe it's been so long. These are classics but I'm reading the quality has gone down.

I've always avoided getting take-out. I'll be dining out more frequently and the chains are local too. It took me a long time to go with the cargo shorts which are now apparently on the outs, so I gotta find normal shorts which fit. Most shorts seem to be made for tall skinny guys. I'm all for wearing shorts and t's but business casual may be in for an uptick.

 

[RichZ]

Beans went down hill very suddenly about 10 years back. Lots of management changes directed towards increasing profits by reducing expenses. Reduced expenses too often equaled reduced quality, and even worse, elimination of some of what made Beans, Beans. I'm thinking specifically of the elimination of the forever warranty on their boots. People who weren't even born when the original warranty that the company was founded on was carved into stone claimed that when the founders said forever, they meant the lifetime of the original owner, and the public was ripping them off by passing boots on to their kids or other relatives, or worse yet, selling them, and the new owners would bring them to the store to exchange for a new pair. So they did away with the forever warranty entirely, and went from no-questions asked to you need your original receipt and it's only good for a year. But the mortal sin they committed was to apply the new policy to items sold prior to the change.

 

[RichZ]

L.L. Bean Blucher Mocs. Looking for a versatile shoe and owned a pair of these about 20 years ago. Can't believe it's been so long. These are classics but I'm reading the quality has gone down.

I've always avoided getting take-out. I'll be dining out more frequently and the chains are local too. It took me a long time to go with the cargo shorts which are now apparently on the outs, so I gotta find normal shorts which fit. Most shorts seem to be made for tall skinny guys. I'm all for wearing shorts and t's but business casual may be in for an uptick.

Beans went down hill very suddenly about 10 years back. Lots of management changes directed towards increasing profits by reducing expenses. Reduced expenses too often equaled reduced quality, and even worse, elimination of some of what made Beans, Beans. I'm thinking specifically of the elimination of the forever warranty on their boots. People who weren't even born when the original warranty that the company was founded on was carved into stone claimed that when the founders said forever, they meant the lifetime of the original owner, and the public was ripping them off by passing boots on to their kids or other relatives, or worse yet, selling them, and the new owners would bring them to the store to exchange for a new pair. So they did away with the forever warranty entirely, and went from no-questions asked to you need your original receipt and it's only good for a year. But the mortal sin they committed was to apply the new policy to items sold prior to the change.

 

[Kolumbo]

Beans went down hill very suddenly about 10 years back. Lots of management changes directed towards increasing profits by reducing expenses. Reduced expenses too often equaled reduced quality, and even worse, elimination of some of what made Beans, Beans. I'm thinking specifically of the elimination of the forever warranty on their boots. People who weren't even born when the original warranty that the company was founded on was carved into stone claimed that when the founders said forever, they meant the lifetime of the original owner, and the public was ripping them off by passing boots on to their kids or other relatives, or worse yet, selling them, and the new owners would bring them to the store to exchange for a new pair. So they did away with the forever warranty entirely, and went from no-questions asked to you need your original receipt and it's only good for a year. But the mortal sin they committed was to apply the new policy to items sold prior to the change.

Reducing quality is a major problem especially for a brand like Bean. I don't blame them for changing the exchange policy. I know someone who said he cut his worn shoes to get a new pair. Way too much abuse of the policy.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

even china has now started a great, divisive, internal debate between 'live with covid?' versus 'zero covid?'
the common cold is a coronavirus.
there is no vaccine for the common cold.
these American vaccines have great value for a certain portion of the population to reduce their death possibilities, and dimnish their likelihood for severe infection.
zero covid is a crock, like one hour martinizing. or to quote joe walsh 'everybody's so different, i haven't changed.'
my long, long ago observation that the youth are getting hosed, bigtime, grows in common conversation steadily among younger folks.
and before some of youse get on ur high horses again aboot 'dummies,' and the unending insults thrown around so commonly, consider this:
Americans with PhDs are the most reluctant to get vaccinated against COVID, study finds | Daily Mail Online

 

[Yardigan]

Reducing quality is a major problem especially for a brand like Bean. I don't blame them for changing the exchange policy. I know someone who said he cut his worn shoes to get a new pair. Way too much abuse of the policy.

Wife worked at an outlet...heard that people would pick stuff up at yard sales just to trade in for new

 

[WeAreUCONN]

Blowing out candles on a cake and then serving it to everyone is done unless you’re some kind of sicko.

But but but i thought the vaccine worked

 

[WeAreUCONN]

we got self-checkouts in most of the stores around here. total game changer. the boomers don't use them so i'm in and out in 20 minutes.

Yes, the Boomers don’t like self checkout but the Snowflakes love them. Who woulda ever think it.

 

[JMick]

Yes, the Boomers don’t like self checkout but the Snowflakes love them. Who woulda ever think it.

I wouldn't mind regular checkouts if the olds didn't break out the check books to hold up the line or complain that they saw the item was 2.95 and not 2.99 like the machine rung up and go back and forth with a 16 year old cashier and scream at her over $.04

 

[Bonk]

Honestly just buying more American made products even if they are more expensive and really trying to cut down on buying things made in China. Sometimes the temptation is too much, but it's a work in progress for me

 

[JMick]

Honestly just buying more American made products even if they are more expensive and really trying to cut down on buying things made in China. Sometimes the temptation is too much, but it's a work in progress for me

My company has been trying to offer made in America products to our customers. They will not pay the increase in costs. It's really unfortunate and frankly very short sighted.

 

[the Q]

I’m amazed by how many people can just quit their jobs with nothing lined up.

 

[HCCForever]

Sit down restaurants don't like doing delivery and pickup and they all hate third party delivery apps. I urge everyone to go out to eat, go to your locals instead of fast food/chains, and never use third party delivery apps.

I too have used third party delivery for pizza and a few restaurants in 2020 without much success. As mentioned, my food was cold and there were too many surcharges added. I had one third party delivery guy call me up and asked me to cancel since the restaurant didn't put the order in when they should have which caused an excessive wait. I no longer go to that restaurant since they screwed up multiple times. Another bar near me started charging a 20% tip for any takeout order. They also charge 2% or so to use a debit card. I stopped going there as well since I hate tipping prior to seeing if my order will be done on time. I am an excellent tipper in most circumstances.

I just heard that Wendy's will be using ghost kitchens for their delivery business. I rarely go to fast food outlets but I can't imagine using a delivery service for fast food. Seems to defeat the purpose and then you have no warm fries to eat on the way home.

Wendy's to open 'ghost kitchens' just for delivery orders

Fast food chain Wendy's plans to open 700 ghost kitchens in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom over the next five years.

www.usatoday.com

 

[storrsroars]

Yes, the Boomers don’t like self checkout but the Snowflakes love them. Who woulda ever think it.

I don't get it. Easiest damn thing in the world to use. During the worst of the pandemic, groceries around here wouldn't even let you bring in your own bags. Except if you used the hand scanners and dedicated checkout kiosk. Then nobody was touching your bags but you. You can bag as you shop, then when you get to the checkout kiosk you're out in about a 90 seconds. In the store I shop at most often, there are generally about 40 scanners available. Usually there are only 5-10 being used when i'm shopping, so it's not just the boomers who aren't using the things, it's pretty much everyone.

Oh, and I'm 65.

 

[donyell34]

I wouldn't mind regular checkouts if the olds didn't break out the check books to hold up the line or complain that they saw the item was 2.95 and not 2.99 like the machine rung up and go back and forth with a 16 year old cashier and scream at her over $.04

You young people will get old to. Jeez we all aren't senile and decrepit. Lay off the boomers lol. Ok time for my nap.

 

[HCCForever]

I don't get it. Easiest damn thing in the world to use. During the worst of the pandemic, groceries around here wouldn't even let you bring in your own bags. Except if you used the hand scanners and dedicated checkout kiosk. Then nobody was touching your bags but you. You can bag as you shop, then when you get to the checkout kiosk you're out in about a 90 seconds. In the store I shop at most often, there are generally about 40 scanners available. Usually there are only 5-10 being used when i'm shopping, so it's not just the boomers who aren't using the things, it's pretty much everyone.

Oh, and I'm 65.

I'm in your age group as well and I have no issues with scanning my own groceries and using a debit card. Some people complain that they should be paid for doing the work of Walmart, etc. I normally go to Walmart for lower prices on select items so I am willing to bag my own to get those lower prices. I just need to go early in the morning or later at night when the store is generally not very crowded. In fact, during the period prior to being vaccinated, I hated anybody reaching over me at the self-checkout to get my basket or select an option that I took 3 seconds too long to select myself.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Latest update. The company pushed our September 7 back to the office date. Then announced that three buildings would close and they would be making significant changes to some other buildings to accommodate people from those closed buildings. Expectation is more meeting space, less work space, very little dedicated work space. Mostly a hoteling model where you reserve space for the dat via an app.

Schwab delayed until Jan 2022. I expect I'll now be the spring at soonest. I thought this was accurate.

 

[navery12]

Latest update. The company pushed our September 7 back to the office date. Then announced that three buildings would close and they would be making significant changes to some other buildings to accommodate people from those closed buildings. Expectation is more meeting space, less work space, very little dedicated work space. Mostly a hoteling model where you reserve space for the dat via an app.

Schwab delayed until Jan 2022. I expect I'll now be the spring at soonest. I thought this was accurate.

This is the change that's happening in offices. Exact same thing as my office has changed to with limited desk space and no personal desks, since it'll really only be meetings that people come in the office for.

Also work in the furniture industry and this has been the trend we've seen in companies buying office furniture. We're actually moving into a new office so that it can be designed as a go forward model for the future of offices

 

[HCCForever]

We used to travel every 10 weeks or so for planning. Locations like Denver, Nashville and Austin. Ft Lauderdale was also on the list but I never traveled there and my trip to Austin was cancelled last March 2020 due to Covid. I don't see these trips occurring again. We get just as much done without traveling and no one leaves early to catch a flight. I'm sure this saves the companies a lot of money. It was fun going to Denver and Nashville but most of the old crew has retired or changed jobs anyway.

 

[the Q]

Latest update. The company pushed our September 7 back to the office date. Then announced that three buildings would close and they would be making significant changes to some other buildings to accommodate people from those closed buildings. Expectation is more meeting space, less work space, very little dedicated work space. Mostly a hoteling model where you reserve space for the dat via an app.

Schwab delayed until Jan 2022. I expect I'll now be the spring at soonest. I thought this was accurate.

I cannot describe how awful of an idea hoteling is.

there’s no point to making people come in for that nonsense

 

[HuskyHawk]

I cannot describe how awful of an idea hoteling is.

there’s no point to making people come in for that nonsense

Depends on the space, honestly. If I have an enclosed, private space, I'm ok with that. Basically come in for meetings, and work in that space in between. If it is "open floor plan" then nah, I'm out.