The business etiquette and social norms that we have known for generations are being re-written.
Today, we begin and end our meetings with washing our hands. Despite washing them, we are still advised not to touch one another, later alone sit or stand close to each other. Temperature tests, social distancing, sanitizing and wearing of masks has become the order of the day.
We are ok with the Covid-19 guidelines. We know the intentions. Shifting from the old firm handshake to an 'elbow to elbow' style of greeting is a safer way of showing respect for one another now.
"Etiquette is always evolving, its never set in stone"
Many large-scale gatherings and events have already been cancelled, that means it will take a while for us to wine and dine again with our loved ones and clink the glasses once more at a dinner-time toast.
Meanwhile, health outbreaks have shaped fashion outcomes before. Our grandmothers used to wear gloves in public as a way of avoiding germs during the typhoid outbreak.
The Covid-19 outbreak has led to face covering. People now design their masks so that they can blend with their dress attire. Some companies have resorted to branded masks, with the logo on the right or left side of the mask - making the mask part of the corporate uniform.
One is aware of the fact that, interacting with others with half of your face covered means losing some of the non-verbal communication ways we rely on to express ourselves like smiling.
Apart from business, sports disciplines such as cricket- the 'gentleman's game' have resumed play with non attendance of spectators in the ground.
Just like football and other low risk sports activities that have been given the green light to resume play, the International Cricket Council announced a list of changes to the game.
International cricket returned on July 8, with England 's home test series against West Indies getting underway. The ban on the use of saliva to shine the ball was observed as part of the new rules and Covid-19 guidelines. The safety of players and everyone comes first.
The Future is digital. Professionals and business have to embrace Information Communication and Technology (ICT) systems. This requires an appreciation of internet etiquette, electronic mail (email) etiquette and social media etiquette.
We are likely to go back to the old norms of a firm handshake and shining the ball using saliva but only after the evolution of a Covid-19 vaccine.
As for now, we continue to abide to the guidelines, .
STAY HOME, STAY SAFE
