Since the pandemic hit, many things we once did are now considered taboo. Thinking about some of those old habits may even make your skin crawl.
Now, one year into the pandemic, Sudbury.com is looking back on the cringe-worthy things we've given up in light of the COVID-19 virus.
1. Shaking hands
Maybe the hardest habit to break. You're meeting someone new, maybe at work, and you reach out your hand but suddenly remember "we aren't supposed to do that anymore" and opt to do a half curtsey, half bow or an elbow bump instead.
2. Sneezing/coughing into your hand
Sure, coughing or sneezing into your flexed elbow or a tissue is like second nature now but you have to admit, there was something satisfying about sneezing freely into the air and letting it all out in one big "Aaa-Choo!"
3. Quickly rinsing our hands, or not washing them at all!
Be honest, we've all done it. Life was busy back then, you didn't have time to scrub your hands with soap for 20 whole seconds. Heck, sometimes you'd skip the soap all together and rinse your hands under the tap or leave the bathroom without washing your hands at all!
4. Touching common surfaces without giving it a second thought
Do you find you're more aware of what you touch while you're out in public now? Gas pumps, elevator or crosswalk buttons, door handles - who knows the last they were cleaned? If ever! Ew!
5. Licking your fingers
Remember when you'd lick your finger in order to get that pesky produce bag open at the grocery store? If you are still struggling, try rubbing the bag quickly between your fingers instead. Other reasons we may lick our fingers but should think twice: turning a page in a book, while eating messy ribs/wings in a restaurant, to clean our kid's face.
6. Standing shoulder to shoulder
Raise your hand if you've ever given the stink eye (or worse!) to a stranger who was standing so close to you, you could practically feel their breath on the back of your neck.
7. Blowing the candles out on a birthday cake
Why did we ever think that was okay? Especially at a child's birthday party. It's right up there with letting them play inside a ball pit (cringe).
8. Sharing is not necessarily caring
Whether it's a bag of popcorn, a tube of Chapstick, a drag off of someone's cigarette, or letting a friend try a sip of your drink - sharing will never be the same.
9. Eating at a buffet or salad bar
Who else is experiencing some major all-you-can-eat withdrawals?!
10. Shopping with kids
If you have children, you know that most parents prefer to shop without their kids in tow but some people don't have a choice in the matter. So if you see a parent at the grocery store struggling to keep their kids from touching and licking everything in sight, be kind.
Is there something you did before the pandemic that now gives you the heebie jeebies? Let us know in the comments below.
