Last Thursday, I received a call from my boss about heading to campus to meet with some out of towners to provide a “socially” distanced tour of campus, “en plein air” also known as outside. I was so excited to get this call, I was headed back to the office to see people in person! Did I just say that… yes!
I felt like I was heading back to school on the first day. Of course a little different, I had to submit a campus request visit form. But aside from that I eagerly packed up my work backpack, I had to do a mental check for a workday outside of my home office. Laptop, check; chargers, check; septa key-card, check; 2020 fashion accessory of the year, mask; check, etc.
I took the train into the city and never before was I so excited to board the SEPTA Regional Rail. As I rode in, a three year old boy boarded the train with his dad. The boy was so excited and once settled in his seat, turned to his dad and said, “daddy we are going to the big city!” Kid, you and me both!
Now back to the agenda of the day, I met my boss and we had our usual Friday team meeting via zoom and then headed out to greet our guests. I was looking forward to meeting them as this was one connection, I had not actually met in person, but only on zoom. Walking outside to greet our guests, I had a mini panic attack! What’s the appropriate greeting?! Do I give a handshake? A hug? Probably not a hug, COVID duh?! An elbow bump? That’s awkward. A wave? I don’t know! In the end, when in doubt, defer to others. Now all of us thankfully have had our shots so I felt a little silly pondering how to greet. But I don’t think I am alone here.
In the end, the campus visit was a success and it didn’t matter how I greeted my visitors. But in a year where I haven’t even hugged, high-fived, fist-bumped some of my closest family members or friends, I wasn’t sure of an appropriate greeting, especially for a connection I’ve never met in person.
After work that day I grabbed happy hour with some of my friends, (boy do I miss city living) and solicited their opinions. The consensus was to defer to others. Hugs seem a bit too liberal right now, a handshake is always good but coming off of COVID only appropriate if you have hand sanitizer, an elbow bump is awkward but a good option. I also heard bowing is a new greeting… not sure if that’s right for me but I’d buy in if others embrace.
In summary, a silver lining of working from home is not having to worry about how to greet others. On the flip side, a silver lining of getting back to the office is seeing people in person! I’ll take the panic of how to greet others if I can have some in-person socialization!
C’est la vie.
Comentarios