Will These Things Come Back in a Post-COVID-19 World?
While we continue living in the middle of a pandemic, we have had to make so many changes to how we operate day to day. How quickly life has changed with everyday actions, like no longer shaking hands and having to mindfully distance ourselves from each other. I have faith that there will be a prosperous post-Covid-19 world, but it has me thinking about what the world will look like after we get through this. Will there be a new normal? Or will we go back to all our old ways?
Here are a few things that I question if they will ever return:
The Buffet
Even if there is no virus anymore, this pandemic has most of us thinking
about what we touch and how many other people have touched that same
thing. The buffet is one of those experiences
that I do not foresee coming back. Yes,
we love the Vegas all you can eat buffet.
But I see the casinos pivoting to the server style service. Sorry, Golden Coral. You are going to have to make some changes if
you are going to survive.
Costco Free Samples
This one bums me out. Nothing better than a slow shopping hour on
Saturday. You can make a whole lunch out
of just walking the aisle trying free food.
Unfortunately, I do not see this coming back.
Public Touchscreens
I love technology and a touch screen makes
performing actions like checking out at the grocery store so efficient. But whether it's a drink vending machine, or
a location kiosk at the mall, touchscreen will see a slow death. Technology will move towards Near Field
Communications to replace the touchscreens.
Let's just hope we don't find ourselves in a Minority Report 'eye-scan'
world.
Business Wear
My wife thinks I'm crazy with this one.
More and more companies (like Twitter) have announced that employees can
work from home, even after we get the all clear. Working from home or via Zoom, it is just too
easy to remain casual. This means
business wear might not be as important.
So, the need for buying business clothing will go down.
High-Fives, Chest Bumps, and Dog Piles
Basically, all the sports celebrating will
end up changing. Maybe the athlete line
dance will become the new norm.
Cheers
The tapping of drink glasses in celebration is done. The slow half arm raise and the nodding of
the head will take over at the top of the common cheers actions. Although, do not discount the tapping of your
ring on the glass, as a close number two.
Cash
Let's be honest, haven't we slowly been getting rid of this anyway?
Covid-19 could finally force us into a cashless society. Of course, this would also mean the end of
the kid's piggy bank.
Open Floor Plan Offices
Not all companies will tell their employees
to work from home, but those that do bring them back to an office, will
change. Employees will come back to work
and find that the open environment of sitting right next to their co-workers is
gone. But they can say they have a
private office, even if it is only 5 by 5 in size.
The Water Fountain
Is there anyone that does not think this will
go the way of the public pay phone?
TSA Security Check-Ins
Since 9/11, we have been taking our shoes and belts off. Putting our wallets, phones, and keys in a
bin before walking through the scanner.
Will TSA agents be wiping down the bins after every use? The answer is unknown, but I have to believe
someone is working on technology so we can just walk on through.
This list could
probably include a dozen more items that may not come back to normal, such as,
is the cheek kiss greeting gone forever? One thing that will not change in a
post-Covid-19 world is the importance of working together. oXYGen Financial is
here to work with you to build a leaner budget, a fatter wallet, and a bigger
net worth.
