Community Chat

[FrostyBabe1]

I never stopped. If indoor dining has been available, I've gone. I've also taken several trips which included flying, rental cars and hotels. It doesn't bother me in the least to do any of this alone if I don't have a companion. If fact, I tend to prefer it.

[SoonerLater]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

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@SoonerLater wrote:

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@Kachina624 wrote:

Is it possible the pandemic has turned us into germophobes? 

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@Kachina624 Possibly. Then it's possible that more people are just happy name-calling others.  I see that as a popular trend now. 

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@SoonerLater    What are you talking about, name-calling?  You get called a name for eating in a restaurant?  Or not? 

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@Kachina624 It's saying "germophobe" rather than "cautious."   It throws a little shade, as they say.  It's come to mean an unreasonable fear.  

A good definition is: someone who hates or has a fear of something, especially in a way that is extreme or not reasonable

[teganslaw]

I have eaten inside restaurants occasionally, but mostly do take out. Nothing to do with the pandemic, it's always been this way.

I don't mind doing things by myself. I have gone to movies, on trips and attending certain events. If I waited until someone was always availble to do things with, I'd miss out on too much. 

[Group 5 minus 1]

We never (even before the pandemic) before ate in restaurants.

[Lucky Charm]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

Is it possible the pandemic has turned us into germophobes? 

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I already was one.  Those who know me know this and still love me. 

I've always brought wipes or towelettes with me, always in my handbag.  The menu is really the only thing I touch. 

I only frequent one restaurant for inside dining and there's no need for salt and pepper shakers, have never even seen them on the tables.   Although we've done takeout from them since the pandemic, we haven't dined in yet.

If I take my grandkids somewhere to eat like a pizza place, I don't order anything.  I take them to go wash up or we use towelettes.  But I haven't taken them inside a restaurant yet.  Outside on picnic tables, yes.

I was supposed to meet someone for lunch two weeks ago and she backed out, so we planned for this Friday.  She called this morning and backed out again.  She wants to come to my house instead.  I'm a little uncomfortable with that.  We can, of course, eat outside as it's shady in the afternoon.  But I'd rather not.  I'd rather be waited on!  Outside dining is an option at the place I picked.

[suzyQ3]

We get better food in our own kitchen, so our restaurant experience for many years now is pretty much for celebration family birthdays or other special occasions.

We have done so inside restaurtants recently without any qualms.

[Cumbercookie13]

I am, but it's been sparingly. And I haven't had any issues. Sometimes you need to get out to feel some sort of normalcy. I do more carry out and delivery though when I want something from a restaurant. And if the weather is nice and outside seating is offered, I prefer outside. 

[AuntG]

Yes, about once a week. No ketchup, salt and pepper on the tables. It's still in small packets where we go. Most noticeable thing to me is lack of help. Signs all over offering signing bonuses for servers and cooks.

[beach-mom]

@Kachina624 - We are some. We like eating outside and this time of year that's easy to do. But when Cinco de Mayo came, I was finally fully vaccinated, and our favorite family-run place doesn't have outdoor seating. 

We find most places are being very careful about what they give you. Nothing is on the table when we sit. One restaurant brings the silverware wrapped and sealed in a bag. Another one we went to had a sign on the table that you could access their menu on your cell phone. If you didn't want to do that they brought you a disposable menu.

Almost every restaurant we've been to has changed their menu, so they are newer. I always either wash my hands after I order or use sanitizer, but then I've always washed my hands after touching a menu as long as I can remember! I never used sanitizer before this all happened though. If I was in the car or outside and couldn't use soap and water, I used Wet Ones for sensitive skin. 

I'm pretty careful and confident most places are still taking precautions and thinking of others. I'm looking forward to celebrating the birthday of one of my closest friends next week at the restaurant she chose. We've all missed being together in person!   

[Miss Pepsi]

I eat at restaurants when I can eat outside and I load up on the hand sanitizer.  I am vaccinated.  I did NOT eat at restaurants until I was fully vaccinated and won't eat indoors at one for very likely a very long time.