One thing I’ve noticed in the past week in this time of Covid-19 is how we end our conversations. Mine are on the phone and on rare occasions upon seeing my neighbors at a distance as I head to the self-standing mail box on the corner of my street.
It starts with “How are you doing?” instead of “Hi” as a greeting. Then after multiple inflections and squinty eyes from six feet away, we make a quick comment and then end the interaction it has happened the same way all week. Instead of “Bye!” or “Have a nice day!” it is now “Stay Safe!” or “Be Safe!” I have heard this from friends, family members, clients and even on closings of broadcast transmissions. One of my favorites that has been repeated is, “Eyes open, no fear, be safe everyone!”
Most of the time when I have heard these closings from those I am in contact with it is as if its a command. “Be Safe!” I know it is a mixture of fear, concern and sort of a directive, “Don’t you dare get sick and make me worry about you too!”
My decision is instead of the curt “Bye!” or “Bub Bye” or even “Bye Bye!” I’ll say in closing “Happy Trails and Be Safe Everyone!”
~ Ginger