Shiny happy people wearing masks...
Kia ora family,
I was in the supermarket today (checking in, sanitising my hands, socially distancing, trying to find some good deals, you know how it goes...), when I saw ahead of me an older lady pushing a trolley that looked way too big for her. For no real reason at all, I thought she looked super tired - she was walking very slowly...
I decided to overtake her to try to give her a smile to try to cheer her up a bit, but halfway ‘round I realised she wouldn’t be able to tell with m’mask covering most of my face. I glanced over when I drew up alongside anyway, trying to crinkle my eyes up as smiley as I could... and, oh my goodness, on that lady’s face was the most beautiful, bold, floral mask.
It was simply gorgeous. And she looked amazing, because she was crinkly-eyed smiley, too - she was loving her look! And just taking her time enjoying the supermarket-ride... bless her heart.
While it’s getting more common to see, masks are definitely still not being worn by the majority out and about.
It’s a new thing for us kiwis to see folk wearing them - it’s not part of how we’ve gone about things as a culture. We’re used to being able to smile at someone whenever we want, be open with our faces, pick up others’ feelings by how their face is sitting... but life is a bit different now.
Masks are likely going to be part of our lives for a wee while with Covid looking like it’s gonna hang around for some time yet, and masks may end up needing to be more prevalent in public than they are now. We just don't know.
It's understandable if you feel a little nervous about wearing a mask... I totally get it. But I wanted to assure you folk can still see you smiling with those smiley crinkly eyes when you're out and about - and you still look damn gorgeous.
Especially if you’re rocking a beautiful bold mask like it turns out awesome old ladies do!
Keep eye-smiling, team - we got this.
