A new study has shed light on what Brits and Londoners in particular are most looking forward to and won't take for granted if and when Covid lockdown measures are eased later this year.
The study, which was based on analysis of polling done by data firm OnePoll, asked 2,000 Brits what they would no longer take for granted after restrictions are relaxed.
It showed that activities like going to the pub and shopping were among the previously routine activities people surveyed were most looking forward to getting back to.
According to the data, booking a holiday "whenever we want" was the thing most of us would no longer take for granted (35 per cent), narrowly ahead of 'Seeing people without masks' and 'A sunny pub garden'.
Meanwhile, the study showed that over 60 per cent of people living in London were already busy making their plans for post-lockdown.
The importance of human connections was also underlined, with 35 per cent of Londoners saying they want to see people without their masks.
Jane Stoneham, Director of Sensory Trust, commented on the research and what it meant for how important our sensory interactions with the world can be:
"This research highlights the human need for connection with people and places through sensory experiences," he said.
"It is interesting to see that second on the list is seeing people without masks and number six is shaking someone’s hand.
"We know that connecting with people and places on a sensory level provides deeper, longer lasting experiences.
"From the smells and sounds associated with being in the middle of a crowd of people at a festival on a hot day to the shaking of a hand or a hug with a loved one, sensory input such as this gets our neurons firing, laying down new pathways.
"Our senses are closely connected with memory - recalling past ones and laying down new memories. For example, emotions can be triggered by sounds even before our cognitive processes have recognised what that sound is," Stoneham added.
Specsavers also shed light on the report, pointing out however formerly mundane experiences like queuing for things placed on the feedback given by respondents.
The report showed for people London who took part in the poll, queuing for a beer at a gig (14 per cent), being crammed in on public transport (12 per cent) or stuck in traffic (11 per cent) and commuting to work (16 per cent) will apparently no longer be sources of disgruntlement.
As Dr Josie Forte, Specsavers clinical spokesperson, said:
"There are some ordinary experiences that you would never have thought you’d miss until something unexpected like the pandemic happened.
"As the sights, smells and sounds of daily life, however mundane, look set to resume this summer, it’ll be interesting to see how this newfound appreciation impacts people and how long it will last – or will many of us revert to taking such things for granted again?"
The full results of the OnePoll research are republished below:
TOP 50 EVERYDAY THINGS BRITS WON’T TAKE FOR GRANTED:
1. Being able to go on holiday whenever we want
2. Seeing people without masks
3. A sunny pub garden
4. Going shopping for clothes
5. Having a pint with a friend
6. Smiling at someone
7. Shaking someone’s hand
8. The sights and sounds of a busy high street
9. Going to the theatre
10. Not worrying about booking a dental or optician appointment
11. Waiting for a plane at the airport
12. Going to the garden centre
13. Hairdressers asking if you’ve got any holidays coming up
14. Doing the supermarket shop with the family
15. Picking an outfit to wear out
16. After work drinks
17. Impromptu gatherings in the park
18. A trip to the Toby Carvery
19. Seeing the grandchildren
20. Heading out for DIY supplies
21. Choosing a book at the library
22. Going to the gym
23. Having a face-to-face work meeting
24. Wearing a new item of clothing to the pub
25. Chats with neighbours over the fence
26. A shop assistant shouting ‘next’ at busy tills
27. The first beer on a Friday evening after work
28. Queuing for your favourite lunch takeaway
29. Being in the middle of a crowd of people at festival on a hot day
30. Asking colleagues about their weekends
31. Queuing for a beer at a gig
32. People gathered around for a gossip at work
33. The smells of the football ground
34. Filling the car with fuel
35. Doing a coffee and tea round in the office
36. All your mates cheering when you join slightly late on a night out
37. Commuting to work
38. Your own desk and chair at work
39. Bird watching
40. Getting onto a crammed train or bus
41. Getting stuck in traffic
42. Making small talk with other parents at the school gates
43. Smart work attire
44. Asking taxi drivers if they’ve been busy
45. Waiting for a train – only to find it delayed
46. Trying and failing to get tickets for things like Wimbledon, Glastonbury etc.
47. A packed boardroom or meeting room at work
48. Hearing announcements on the London underground
49. Being on a busy tube
50. Watching Wimbledon in a public space
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