Masked

The wearing of face masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus could also be included in the behaviour termed ‘social distancing’. Pre-covid, when meeting a stranger for the first time, it was commonplace to smile, thereby reassuring the other of one’s good intentions. This is not possible when wearing a mask. As I am a friendly fellow I continue to smile at shop assistants and others when meeting them, but fail to remember that they cannot see my mouth. One young woman when asked about this, said Yes but I can see their eyes!

We certainly narrow our eyes when smiling, but we also do so when angry. Try looking angry in a mirror by turning down the sides of the mouth, you are likely to also narrow your eyes. So we are left with no guaranteed means of showing friendliness. We need to invent a new affirmative gesture.

I could try winking, but that seems to have the wrong connotation and, at my age and when meeting women, might result in unanticipated consequences! So what gesture, in these times of masking, could give reassurance to a stranger? How about extending one or both open hands? But an open hand is an invitation to a hand shake, which is also not acceptable in these fraught times. I am at a loss to suggest how to signal friendliness when wearing a mask.

Perhaps it is the time to introduce the Eastern custom of ‘namaste’. Placing the palms of the hands together over the heart and bowing slightly, is a sign of non-aggression and deference to another. It will be interesting to see the response when I next visit a supermarket. It might even persuade someone that I do yoga!