Welcome Back to the Office Cocktail Party — And Be Very Careful
Some worry about the virus or drinking too much, I worry about talking too much
As the pandemic restrictions end in the US and many businesses invite/request/demand employees back into office buildings and workplaces, there’s a lot of issues to consider — including how one appropriately and safely greets their coworkers now.
Personally, I worried about meeting my new coworkers in person for the first time as I started a new job a couple of months ago with a company that recently merged with another. Before last week’s “merger/welcome back” party, I’d only known colleagues via email, online chat, phone calls, and video conferencing apps.
I wondered what the greeting protocol would be at the cocktail party. The invitation didn’t stipulate. Hmmm. Should we be shaking hands? Or just stick with elbow-to-elbow tapping? Fist-bumping? Polite, little waves? Or respectful bows ala the Japanese?
Also, I wondered about masking up. The party was outside and I’ve been “Moderna-nized,” but if everyone is wearing masks or some haven’t been vaxxed, I want to do the right thing and also not call attention to myself.
