Hour rule (edited)

"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69) 03/27/2020 at 06:30 • Filed to: hour rule

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on a train into Melbourne cbd

To see how empty the city is since all clubs and bars are closed due to the corona virus/covid-19

Update; the central streets are practically deserted (as expected)

Train stations are quiet and empty trams everywhere

More cyclists than expected though 

Svend > pip bip - choose Corrour 03/27/2020 at 06:50

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I had to run up town to the doctors yesterday (leg infection, bloody marvelous), got my prescription, jumped into a taxi as the nearest pharmacy was closed (early), taxi driver dropped me at the otherside of the car park and said, ‘right this is you, on the end there’.

Everyone standing in an orderly queue, two metres apart from each other, talking to one another like it was any other day, store had four people on security. One counting the people out, another making sure the numbers going in and coming out were right, one outside the entrance to shout to the registered bouncer on security who was le tting people go in.

Something like only 30 (if that) people allowed in the very large store at one time.

The tow n today was like a very early Sunday morning, The odd person here and there with a few cars. 

pip bip - choose Corrour > Svend 03/27/2020 at 07:17

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Bizarre really 

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > pip bip - choose Corrour 03/27/2020 at 08:20

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My mom took a flight out to Utah to help my sister move for a new job (I know great timing)...I dropped her off at the airport...this wa s the drop off around 5pm

And this was the terminal

She said there were all of 11 people on the flight

pip bip - choose Corrour > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 03/27/2020 at 08:23

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Holy moly

That’s insane

You can fire a gun and not hit anyone 

TheRealBicycleBuck > Svend 03/27/2020 at 09:10

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Perhaps this will teach people that personal space is really a thing and that they don’t have to cuddle up next to me when standing in a line.

Svend > TheRealBicycleBuck 03/27/2020 at 09:33

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Some supermarkets are even stricter, some, if there is a colleague filling a shelf down that aisle, your not allowed down it, some have directions of travel, say up aisle one, down aisle two, forgot something on aisle two, tough, continue up aisle three, and go all the way round until your at the start, go up aisle one, REMEMBER THE ITEM ON AISLE TWO, down aisle two, etc...

Almost every store has floor markings showing how far two metres are at common stop points like checkouts, pizza counters, basket/trolley collection, etc... 

TheRealBicycleBuck > Svend 03/27/2020 at 09:50

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That’s some discipline. The big grocery store that my mom went to when I was a kid had one-way flow. You entered, turned right, followed that to the right wall, turned left, went to the end of the aisle, then it was a series of 180°s up and down the aisles until you made it to the far left wall, came back down to the front and went through checkout. It was like what you’re describing, but there was no way to skip an aisle. In your no-passing scenario, everyone in the c ue would just have to wait while the undecided tried to come to a decision.

If my mom realized she missed something when we got to the registers, I was sent back through the maze to find it. That was a mission I never took on willingly.

Svend > TheRealBicycleBuck 03/27/2020 at 10:04

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Thankfully few stores are that strict, the larger ones have sufficient aisle width to allow movement up and down sometimes in a sort of Mexican standoff, three or four acknowledge each other’s location in the aisle, each gesticulates where they want to be, then a case of each other gesticulating that if someone moves to there, they can move to there and so on. It’s impressive to see and takes no longer than a second of everyone stopping for the first person to move and be on their way.

Plus, in the U.K. we don't mind a queue. If the queue stops for someone taking too long or they got distracted in conversation, etc... never underestimate the power of a British, 'tut' which if allowed to escalate will turn into a 'tut' and a sigh. Lol. 

TheRealBicycleBuck > Svend 03/27/2020 at 10:32

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The cultural differences are fascinating. We have so many people from so many different cultures with different norms that social interactions can be quite cumbersome. Personal space is certainly an issue. I lived in a primarily rural state where personal space was quite large. It always makes me uncomfortable when someone crowds that space, especially when I’m at the cashier, trying to conduct business. New immigrants from crowded countries are the worst about it simply because they don’t understand why their behavior would make someone uncomfortable. When I moved to a larger metropolitan area, I had to make some adjustments in my thinking and tolerance for crowding.

Svend > TheRealBicycleBuck 03/27/2020 at 10:42

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Oh ye’, if you want to see a Brit uncomfortable, but them in a room of French and Italians who have been told to say hello to each other. the touching and kissing will have the Brit in a panic attack before the door is closed.

We hate close confines but put up with it on buses, trains and the the obvious one, the London Underground, which is why you don’t talk to someone on the London Underground. The only time you can talk or people will talk to you is if you have a dog, that’s it. Otherwise, silence. 

TheRealBicycleBuck > Svend 03/27/2020 at 10:51

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Hah! I find that my wife’s family (she’s hispanic) is just overwhelming. When we go visit, I have to take breaks from all the action in order to keep myself composed. They will have 30 people in a room and they all talk at the same time. My brain suffers a short-circuit and shuts down from the overload. At least my wife recognizes when it’s about to happen and sends me off to another room.

The “social distance” of 6 feet is easy for me. When my friends and family gather together, we naturally maintain a distance of at least 4 feet apart. The only exception is when we greet each other or say goodbye. That requires a hearty handshake or if it’s family, perhaps a hug.

My wife’s family stands close enough to bump elbows. 

Svend > TheRealBicycleBuck 03/27/2020 at 11:10

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I’m exactly like you. I will almost always find a way to slink off somewhere.

At my best mates wedding I did my best, our table was always rolling about laughing, but then I got out a cigar and made my excuse, found a quiet gazebo surrounded by bushes on three sides facing away from the hotel, I was still found and before I knew it there was nine guys and gals drinking whiskey, pints of bitter and smoking cigars (there’s something about a woman with a cigar and to have three out the four of them smoking one was something), I even had to dive out in a taxi at 11:30pm to find a place that sold the cigars I like.

But I’m not afraid to make an ‘ Irish goodbye’ (sneaking out the party without anyone knowing). 

TheRealBicycleBuck > Svend 03/27/2020 at 11:47

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During the reception, I found myself sitting alone in a quiet spot, watching my bride from across the room as she visited with her family.