[Misc] What 'good' things would you keep from how the world changed this year?

[Bry Nylon]

I think we all hoped that if anything positive was to come from the massive change to how we lived from March onwards, it might be a recalibration of what's really important and perhaps a better balance to the rhythm of our daily lives? But I suppose over time things will get back to exactly how they were before CV19 hit the UK. But are there any unforeseen positives that from the restrictions you'd happily keep? Anything now that is better than how we did things before?

It's only a really small thing but on Sunday afternoon I met an old friend at a village pub. This pub has always operated in the 'traditional' manner, in that everytime you wanted a drink you'd pop back inside and queue at the bar, pay and then carry your drinks back to your table. Now, however, you stay at you table and bar staff keep on eye on progress and everytime you look like you may want another drink they come over, take the order, clear any empties and put in on a tab that you settle when you finish. Like I say, only a really small thing but it is so much more civilised and relaxing than standing at the bar, waiting to be served then carrying glasses sloping drink back through a crowded bar to your seat. There MUST be something more profound than table service in pubs that we can take from CV19, surely?

 

[Tim Over Whelmed]

Sense of community and more people talking as they move within the community.

 

[Bry Nylon]

Sense of community and more people talking as they move within the community.

I think we had that where I live in March and April but now things are pretty much back to how they were to be honest. All that new sense of community has just evaporated.

 

[PaoloAlbioni]

Kindness, consideration, good neighbourliness, smiling strangers, quiet/silent roads, clear skies, birdsong.

 

[Jim D]

Online ordering and home delivery will stay popular as people have realised that it works. Of course, we'll still need to go to the shops for things we need right now but this won't require a 2 hour visit.

 

[Stat Brother]

Fewer cars on the road.

 

[Is it PotG?]

Home hair cutting.

Will save the £12 every two months i was shelling out, now we've invested in a decent set of clippers.

 

[elwheelio]

An increased appreciation of how much we all rely upon shop workers, cleaners, delivery drivers and other similarly low-paid, but essential, folks.

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

Seemingly greater numbers of people taking daily exercise - walking, jogging and / or cycling. Hopefully engendering a positive habit with longer term physical and mental health benefits.

 

[BNthree]

People living life outside a bit more, for exercising & socialising, rather than being cooped up indoors all the time. Which I know will stop as soon as winter comes but still.

 

[Johnny RoastBeef]

Video consultations with GP's. No more sitting in waiting rooms spreading illnesses.

Plus, Older generations learning the use and benefits of video communication technology, hopefully reducing loneliness and giving them back thier voice.

 

[pasty]

Working from home seems to be very popular.

Not something I can do in my profession, but the fewer cars on the road the better.

On a selfish personal level, very much this. I have been wfh since March 19th, and currently still am. However the owners of the company I work for are generally very anti wfh, and I am expecting to be called back into the office, probably from Aug 1st following the recent announcement from Boris.

The stupid thing is, I have proven unequivocally that I really do not need to be onsite. Not a single issue has cropped up in 4 months because I have been at home. I work longer hours, my concentration levels are higher, my productivity is higher, and I am so much healthier, both physically and mentally, without 5 hours commuting each day. It seems like a no-brainer to allow me to continue to wfh, but I can pretty much guarantee it ain't gonna happen.

 

[elwheelio]

Having more time with the kids.

 

[Stat Brother]

Having more time with the kids.

Bry wants "good" things.

 

[Insel affe]

Well on balance you are asking really about since and during lockdown, and if that is the case there really is only one answer....

Crystal Palaces form...

8 games
1 win in the first game back against a dismal Bournemouth and since then 7 defeats....

more of the same please...

 

[Bry Nylon]

Having more time with the kids.

I was trying to keep this focused on the positives.

:

 

[HCxUK]

Table service in pubs

 

[Stuart Munday]

More working from home please, more time at home, more time to do exercise, an end to the numerous coffee and sandwich shops but more opportunities for decent local businesses. Less traffic on the road, less office space needed why not turn the empty offices into housing, easier to commute for those that have to, we have a real chance to change things for a generation let’s hope we don’t blow it and go back to normal, I also think there is a real chance for entrepreneurs out there to create some decent new businesses and if this is at the expense of tax dodging Starbucks then great.

 

[JamesAndTheGiantHead]

Having the time to discover and enjoy hobbies that I wouldn’t have done normally.

I’ve become strangely obsessed with Tamiya model warships and it brings me an ironic sense of peace. Apart from when a mast falls off. Then I scream the house down.

 

[Simster]

On a selfish personal level, very much this. I have been wfh since March 19th, and currently still am. However the owners of the company I work for are generally very anti wfh, and I am expecting to be called back into the office, probably from Aug 1st following the recent announcement from Boris.

The stupid thing is, I have proven unequivocally that I really do not need to be onsite. Not a single issue has cropped up in 4 months because I have been at home. I work longer hours, my concentration levels are higher, my productivity is higher, and I am so much healthier, both physically and mentally, without 5 hours commuting each day. It seems like a no-brainer to allow me to continue to wfh, but I can pretty much guarantee it ain't gonna happen.

For what it's worth, I'm fairly sure there will be a move towards more wfh. Most people would rather wfh 2 or 3 days a week rather than completely isolate from the office anyway. Really, that might mean companies scaling down their office space to save money as well as having a happier workforce, so what's not to like?

If your company doesn't move with the times, they will lose good people.