The Corona pandemic forced people to quit the habit of shaking hands and hugging when meeting each other, so new rules of welcome began to appear, after the generalization of some precautionary and preventive measures, foremost of which are social distancing measures.
And because we live in the era of "Covid-19", which imposed on us a set of new and different things, including the rules of etiquette, the new welcome may be limited to a simple bow in front of the other party to express respect and appreciation, and it replaces the handshake or embrace.
Use welcome gestures
Etiquette expert Ziana Tanouri says - to Al-Jazeera Net - that in the Arab world, we consider shaking hands one of the traditions and origins, and we find abandoning it difficult and may cause embarrassment for some of us, but it has become a necessity among the rules of social distancing, and that the best solution to avoid shaking hands around us is placing the hand in the pocket Or clenching your hands with a square movement, and making a simple gesture and laugh with a welcome body movement before anyone approaches you, to prevent any embarrassment before it occurs.
Tanouri believes that it is not appropriate to hit your elbow with someone else's elbow, and instead you can give the greeting by interlocking your hands with each other and placing them in front of you when someone approaches you, or pausing and looking at him with a smile and a nod to the head and placing the hands behind the back.
You can follow a certain method during the greeting, which is to interlace hands with each other and put them in front of you when someone approaches you (pixels)
And note that wearing masks and covering them for half the face means losing the ability to celebrate someone by smiling, and here comes the importance of simple gestures and movements such as raising the thumb up or waving to others.
Tanouri insists on the need to adhere to the presence of only 6 people in a single gathering, in order to avoid anxiety and tension that some may feel while adhering to social distancing and leaving a distance between everyone when sitting.
Family mixing rules
Regarding the rules of daily family mixing within the home environment with a large number of individuals who live under one roof, the etiquette expert says that the laws inside the home remain largely the same, with the importance of washing hands regularly, and making sure of prevention whenever there is a cough or sneeze.
In staying at home, she recommends that we be more patient with our family members, while also participating in entertaining children and helping the elderly meet their needs.
For mothers, the amount of work at home increases a lot for them due to the conditions that all family members stay at home most of the time, so they need to relieve them as much as possible.
Etiquette expert Ziana Tanouri: We have to be patient with our family members and help the elderly meet their needs (Al Jazeera)
Etiquette to exchange congratulations
On the etiquette of dealing with the congratulations that the family receives upon the arrival of a child, engagement, marriage contract, birthdays, etc., she said: “After I cancel many occasions, such as engagement and weddings at the present time, and with the continuation of some occasions such as birthdays and various social duties such as death And mourning cannot be changed, so we need to show people that we are with them even if we are not able to exist physically, video calls can be used as it is a good way to communicate, in addition to text messages and voice or video calls, and fortunately we are still able to buy some supplies Online, we can still celebrate any happy occasion, but we need to do it without physically mixing. "
Flexible apology rules
But the rules of apology have become more flexible in the era of "Covid-19", as you say, as apologizing for attending any occasion has become a natural matter, for example, you can send a gift to the newlyweds and write a letter expressing your regret for the inability to attend.
Some habits have also changed, such as stopping blowing cake candles during birthday parties, avoiding touching surfaces for no reason, having drinks in someone else's cup, or using tools previously used to eat.
The rules of apology have become more flexible, so you can send a gift to the newlyweds and write a letter expressing your regret for not being able to attend (Getty Images)
Sudden visits
"Ideally, no one should surprise us with a visit, but if we are placed in a situation in which we cannot avoid inviting someone, we should welcome him without any physical greeting, invite him to sit down, and make sure that there is enough space between us and him," Tanouri said.
The expert believes that we are trying to ensure that the least possible number of people are in contact with our unexpected guests, while making sure to receive them away from the older family members, and if we have children, we should advise them to play in their room until the visit ends.
Of course, we will give our guest something to drink while maintaining the necessary hygiene rules.
And she cautioned the need to adhere to the application of health protocols during home visits to each other, similar to the protocols for entering major malls and restaurants imposed by states, making individuals contribute and supportive of governments in the continuation and return of life.
Dealing with those recovering
Tanouri stresses the necessity of dealing with people who have recovered from Korna with kindness and kindness, away from injury, to help them recover psychologically after their physical recovery.
On the other hand, we should avoid making fun of others ’commitment to rules and precautionary measures between family members and avoiding any embarrassment.
Shaking hands in the Arab world is one of the traditions and origins, and abandoning it is difficult but necessary (Pixels)
Social distancing is not social isolation
Tanouri believes that the term "social distancing" means reducing social interactions during meetings and gatherings that may result in an increase in the possibility of infection, and it is not intended for social isolation.
Because society needs everyone's support for the other.
And she confirms that this does not mean that good morals, principles and principles of interaction will disappear, but rather new behaviors that are safer for people have been solved, as etiquette and etiquette are always developing, as they are not static matters, and the most important thing is to show respect, maintain estrangement and avoid large gatherings.
It is preferable to shop without escort or use the Pixels method of home delivery services.
Tips that support social distancing
Etiquette expert Tanouri offered several tips that support the trend of social distancing in different situations, so that it relieves a lot of psychological pressure:
For the person to be a source of positive energy for family and friends, while making future plans, and sharing positive news before the negative.
Take into account the presence of a safety distance of approximately one meter with others while talking to them.
Avoid hugs, kisses, and greetings with hands, avoid any contact, and be satisfied with a smile and peace with words.
Avoid visits by family, neighbors, or friends unless necessary.
Keep all the time with paper tissues and a plastic bag, dispose of the tissues immediately in an airtight bag, and sterilize your hands after disposing of the tissues.
There is no need to wear rings or jewelry, as viruses can cling to them and reduce the quality of the sterilization process.
As for shopping, we advise shoppers to maintain a distance of two meters from other customers as well as from store employees, while being patient and adhering to the role to access the goods.
It is preferable to shop without escort, or to use the home delivery service.