Diane Gottsman | Leading Etiquette Expert | Modern Manners Authority

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How to Maintain Strong Friendships During COVID-19

03 Jul 2020 By: Diane Gottsman

During this time of quarantine, it can be hard to maintain strong friendships when you are physically distant and preoccupied with life as we have grown to know it today. Especially for those who are extremely social, and now their interactions have come to a halt, it can be difficult. For those who prefer the sound of their own voice most of the time, socializing with others is good for people’s mental health and well-being.

Here are a few tips to help you stay virtually connected during this time of social distancing.

Strong Friendships

Cooking Class with Friends

Even if you are not a cook or can barely boil water, getting together to learn how to make a new dish is a fun way to bond with friends and family. The designated “chef” can send the ingredients list for the recipe in advance and you can order what you need to succeed. Or, you watch the host (instructor of the day) create a culinary masterpiece. If you decide to cook together, you can all sit down and eat the finished product, comparing everyone’s results. During the meal, don’t forget to “toast the host” with a favorite beverage of choice.

Virtual Book Club

In order for your book club to be a success, there has to be some planning involved. Designate an organizer whose job is to keep the meeting upbeat and interactive. There will be some preliminary tasks for everyone to get started. Either decide what book to read, or have someone choose their favorite. Take turns if you plan on doing this over a more extended period of time. The following are a few suggestions to make the virtual book club run smoothly.

  1. Order the book
  2. Set a designated date and time frame
  3. Stick to an agenda
  4. Keep the guest list manageable
  5. Choose a wine list or special food item to discuss – like pairing a meal
  6. Make lively discussion
  7. End at the designated time

Happy Hour

If you haven’t tried it, you might like it. There is something to be said about a few friends getting together after a long day of working from home or the office and sharing a favorite cocktail or cup of tea. The beverage doesn’t matter; it’s really about getting together with friends and sharing the high and low points of your life. While the conversation should ultimately be uplifting, there may also be times when you need a confidant to share your concerns or struggles. Avoid turning your happy hour into a gripe-fest, however. Asking for advice is one thing but bringing the mood down every time you meet will be a sure-fire way to get eliminated from the guest list.

Brunch

Sharing a simple meal with a friend can be as easy as meeting virtually at a specific time for lunch, brunch or dinner with a sandwich and a bottle of sparkling water. It’s an excellent excuse to catch up once a week or month with someone you don’t want to lose touch with during the pandemic.

Set the table, put out a pretty table cloth, colorful napkin and a nice plate and utensils. Make the occasion feel special, even if you are eating leftovers or a bowl of cereal.

Competitive Games

For now, hosting a game night in your living room is not in the cards, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get competitive with your friends through an app on your smartphone. Words with Friends, Scrabble, Yahtzee with Buddies and Uno are just a few games you might want to look into downloading. It will keep you busy and you will stay connected to people you might not hear from regularly.

Movie Night

Pop up some popcorn and grab a box of your favorite movie candy from your pantry. Watching a movie is always more fun with friends. Have you heard of Netflix Party? It’s a free Google Chrome extension that lets you watch Netflix remotely with people from a distance. You can watch your favorite movie with someone across the street or across the country, using a chat bar to make comments and react to what’s going on. For more information, read this article from Better Homes & Gardens. The only caveat is that everyone must have a Netflix account (who doesn’t these days?) and you have to use the Google Chrome browser on your desktop or laptop.

Now, more than ever is the time to stay connected to friends you value.

You might also like Simple Steps to Make a Difference During the Pandemic. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.

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Diane Gottsman

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and modern manners professional, sought out industry leader, television personality, accomplished speaker, Huffington Post blogger, author, and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in executive leadership and etiquette training. Diane is routinely quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, Kiplinger, Huffington Post Canada, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. She is the resident etiquette expert for two popular morning talk shows, SA Living and Good Day Austin. She has been seen on The TODAY Show, HLN Headline News, WGN Chicago, and CBS Sunday Morning. Her clients range from university students to Fortune 500 companies and her workshops cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media.