Risk tolerance (222/365)

[white_hart]

I had an email recently from an academic who said how nice it was to be able to do the things that they hadn't been able to for ages - theatres! bookshops! pub lunches! - which left me thinking how nice it would be to do those things, but I definitely wouldn't feel comfortable going to a theatre at the moment, or anywhere where I would be spending more than a few minutes indoors with people I don't know. I am OK with going into shops, and have considered going to a bookshop, but given how high case numbers have been it felt a bit frivolous when I don't actually need any more books*, and might well not actually buy anything.

I know that I am pretty risk-averse, and it's also been long enough that I've almost forgotten what it was like to do those things; doing them now would feel strange and new, which would require more impetus than I can muster up in the face of ongoing pandemic "is it actually safe to do this?" anxiety. I do wonder whether I am being excessively risk-averse, though I don't get the sense that many of my friends are doing much more than I am.

Anyway, this is really just a preamble to a poll!

Poll #26014

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 64

View Respondents

I live in the UK, and I would currently:

View Answers

use public transport to commute
18 (37.5%)

use public transport for leisure purposes
21 (43.8%)

have a drink at a pub or cafe - indoors
17 (35.4%)

have a drink at a pub or cafe - outdoors
39 (81.2%)

have a meal at a pub, cafe or restaurant - indoors
20 (41.7%)

have a meal at a pub, cafe or restaurant - outdoors
36 (75.0%)

go to a shop for essential purchases (however you define essential)
45 (93.8%)

go to a shop for non-essential purchases/to browse
24 (50.0%)

go to the theatre
8 (16.7%)

go to the cinema
7 (14.6%)

meet friends in an outdoor public place
44 (91.7%)

meet friends in a garden
46 (95.8%)

meet friends in your or their house
35 (72.9%)

I wouldn't do any of these things
1 (2.1%)

I live outside the UK, and I would currently:

View Answers

use public transport to commute
8 (50.0%)

use public transport for leisure purposes
6 (37.5%)

have a drink at a pub or cafe - indoors
1 (6.2%)

have a drink at a pub or cafe - outdoors
9 (56.2%)

have a meal at a pub, cafe or restaurant - indoors
1 (6.2%)

have a meal at a pub, cafe or restaurant - outdoors
8 (50.0%)

go to a shop for essential purchases (however you define essential)
15 (93.8%)

go to a shop for non-essential purchases/to browse
5 (31.2%)

go to the theatre
0 (0.0%)

go to the cinema
2 (12.5%)

meet friends in an outdoor public place
13 (81.2%)

meet friends in a garden
13 (81.2%)

meet friends in your or their house
9 (56.2%)

I wouldn't do any of these things
1 (6.2%)

*at the moment my kindle TBR pile appears to be going through a significant growth phase

Comments

[antisoppist]

I've spent a bit of time today deliberating on whether I want to give Amazon more money or spend time tomorrow in a shop (children's birthday presents) and have decided on the shop but this is partly because I feel it will be really exciting to wander round a shop by myself. For things like food shopping my habits have changed in lockdown as deliveries work well and the village shops fill in the gaps, stock local food, are enforcing masks and distance, and I want to support them. I wonder whether I will ever drive to a big supermarket again.

[white_hart]

I hope you managed to find suitable presents and enjoyed the browsing!