Don’t breach cov-etiquette! Debrett’s warn coronavirus is no excuse for bad manners

Don’t breach cov-etiquette! Debrett’s warn coronavirus is no excuse for bad manners and to welcome guests with a cheery ‘I wish I could give you a hug’ so they keep their social distance

  • Etiquette experts Debrett’s have new guidelines in-keeping with social distancing
  • Party hosts told to say ‘I wish I could give you a hug’ to keep guests at a distance
  • Pedestrians advised not to play chicken on pavements and move out of other people’s way

Lockdown has changed all of our lives but there’s no reason good old-fashioned manners can’t be adapted to the pandemic – and the etiquette experts at Debrett’s are here to show us how.

Newly issued advice from the protocol specialists explains how we can meet and greet in the era of social distancing and even wear a mask without compromising decent behaviour.

Party hosts are told: ‘Greeting your guests with “I wish I could give you a hug” lets them know to keep their distance.

‘While saying “Feel free to use the bathroom” might have seemed ludicrous this time last year but has become an imperative.’

For pedestrians navigating thronged pavements while keeping their distance, the advice is: ‘Avoid the game of chicken before one of you eventually steps into the road by being the first to move aside.’

Etiquette experts at Debrett’s say party hosts should be: ‘Greeting your guests with “I wish I could give you a hug” lets them know to keep their distance’ (stock image)

The etiquette leaders insist that even when we are wearing masks we must remain ‘friendly and approachable’, adding: ‘Your mouth may be covered but a smile is still visible in your eyes and the rest of your face.

‘We’re all getting used to the new normal but eye contact will become even more important.’ 

They also advise against slouching and sitting with crossed arms and that we should raise our voices so as to not embarrass those who may be hearing impaired. 

‘A face covering muffles speech and eliminates the possibility of lip-reading for those with hearing difficulties,’ say the experts. ‘Raise your voice and speak as clearly as possible to make yourself heard.’ 

Debrett’s Guide to Hosting & Entertaining, published in October, is expected to include updated recommendations such as replacing the best china with paper plates when holding dinner parties and avoiding shared towels in the bathroom.

For pedestrians navigating thronged pavements while keeping their distance, the advice is: ¿Avoid the game of chicken before one of you eventually steps into the road by being the first to move aside¿ (stock image)

For pedestrians navigating thronged pavements while keeping their distance, the advice is: ‘Avoid the game of chicken before one of you eventually steps into the road by being the first to move aside’ (stock image)