ADVERTISEMENT

The pandemic has had a massive impact on many things—our daily and work routines, hygiene habits, the way we socialize, shop, and behave in public, our plans as well as those of many businesses and governments, and a slew of many other things.

Many of us have grown accustomed to the way the world has changed, but are also looking forward to the time when things will go back to normal. Alas, not everything will remain the way it has been because of how drastically the coronavirus has changed the world and the way it used to work.

So, it does seem appropriate to wonder what has been changed forever. Reddit user u/Cuish has recently asked that very question—what will never be the same again once the pandemic is over?—and Reddit delivered over 17,000 responses.

Bored Panda invites you to read through some of the best and most thought-provoking answers to the question. Scroll down to read through them and make sure to comment and vote on the ones you liked the most.

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

40 Interesting Answers To What Will Never Be The Same Once The Pandemic Is Over, As Said By People On Reddit My marriage.

My wife and I had to work from home together (separate jobs) from March until September when she had to go back to the office. I am still working from home. During this time, we became increasingly closer. I have heard so many stories of marital problems being caused by Covid. I literally miss my wife everyday she has to go to work.

I meet her at the door like a fucking puppy. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Sometimes forced proximity does too.

level 1 quimbykimbleton , blupics Report

Final score:
228points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
You May Also Like:
#2

40 Interesting Answers To What Will Never Be The Same Once The Pandemic Is Over, As Said By People On Reddit Hopefully your boss will finally admit that all his dumb meetings actually could have been emails all along.

cassiecas88 , woodleywonderworks Report

Final score:
173points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

40 Interesting Answers To What Will Never Be The Same Once The Pandemic Is Over, As Said By People On Reddit The phrase "avoid it like the plague" - turns out people don't do that.

puntilnexttime , burnbless Report

Final score:
162points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#4

40 Interesting Answers To What Will Never Be The Same Once The Pandemic Is Over, As Said By People On Reddit Time spent with my kids.

Pre-pandemic I would leave the house 5 days a week at 6:15am to commute to the office, usually before anyone else in my house is awake. And I'd get home most evenings just in time to put them to bed. I'll never go back to that. The past 8 months I've actually seen my boys grow up in front of my eyes and I get lots of quality time with them every day, even with work from home.

I know now what i was missing.

darylcarolan , Eduardo Merille Report

Final score:
154points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#5

40 Interesting Answers To What Will Never Be The Same Once The Pandemic Is Over, As Said By People On Reddit A massive amount of people now know they can work from home.

OttoManSatire , deldevries Report

Final score:
148points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#6

40 Interesting Answers To What Will Never Be The Same Once The Pandemic Is Over, As Said By People On Reddit I will not take hugs for granted.

Joesdad65 , Ryan Report

Final score:
131points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#7

40 Interesting Answers To What Will Never Be The Same Once The Pandemic Is Over, As Said By People On Reddit Anytime you're sick, you'll wear a mask. I'm amazed at all the times I flew before when I had a cold, and didn't wear a mask.

idi0disq0 , osseous Report

Final score:
124points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

40 Interesting Answers To What Will Never Be The Same Once The Pandemic Is Over, As Said By People On Reddit Most of the mom and pop stores in my town are gone forever. Some of these stores I grew up with, the nickle arcade, the tiny French bakery my aunt took us to when we got good grades, the only ramen shop open after 10PM, my favorite donut shop, the fancy British tea shop I never had a good date in but many London Fogs that were utterly perfect, the only dim sum place, the handmade mochi and tea shop, the only cigar shop in town to get fancy cigars...

I lament the death of all these tiny businesses I took for granted. I always thought they'd be around. Now my community is left with just brand named box stores, no more originality and flavor. Just closed skyrise buildings surrounded by a garishly lit Denny's, Olive Garden, and Target.

Not-A-SoggyBagel , GT#1 Report

Final score:
108points
Add photo comments
POST
mrkette avatar
Mary Rose Kent
Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We lost a few in my small town, but we’re far enough away from anything larger that most people have closed temporarily or are making delivery arrangements for goods purchased.

Vote comment up
28
28points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

40 Interesting Answers To What Will Never Be The Same Once The Pandemic Is Over, As Said By People On Reddit Office life. My company has already announced that once we are allowed to go back, we'd only be going once or twice a week. It seems many realized how feasible working from home is.

GarionOrb , Vancouver Film School Report

Final score:
107points
Add photo comments
POST
mrkette avatar
Mary Rose Kent
Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would hate to blur the boundaries between my home and work life!

Vote comment up
16
16points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#10

My dogs have expected me to basically be around all the time and rub their belly’s 24/7

puddyspud Report

Final score:
106points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

40 Interesting Answers To What Will Never Be The Same Once The Pandemic Is Over, As Said By People On Reddit Blowing out the candles on your birthday cake

level 1 Speakinmymind96 , Dark Dwarf Report

Final score:
104points
Add photo comments
POST
kacijoseph avatar
Red
Red
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I still dont know why we do that we are technically eating a cake that somebody just spat onto.

Vote comment up
56
56points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

40 Interesting Answers To What Will Never Be The Same Once The Pandemic Is Over, As Said By People On Reddit Working in an office, particularly in Japan.

I live in Japan. Going to the office and spending all day here is a deep cultural tradition. So many companies here, even in the early COVID days, flat out publicly said "Hah, no, we will NEVER be doing that 'work from home' thing, sorry. That's laughably naïve."

Then, the country issued a "Declaration of National Urgency" (not an actual Emergency, as that would entitle the govt to be actually accountable to the livelihoods of the people, just a very strong arm public stance and shaming businesses into following suit).

And those traditional Japanese businesses saw what happened to their bottom lines when they no longer had to pay for electricity, heating/AC, cleaning, office equipment and maintenance, subsidized travel expenses to/from work, soft items like coffee and snacks, etc... and so many of them now are singing the praises of a "sensible work from home policy" and planning for even long-term work-from-home options.

Diamond_Sutra , Kenichi Takahashi Report

Final score:
97points
Add photo comments
POST
lauraswearingen-steadwell avatar
Aeon Flux
Aeon Flux
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m so relieved about this. I used to argue with my last boss about her wanting me to show up to the office—just for obedience’s sake? It made no sense. She didn’t even like going in herself.

Vote comment up
32
32points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#13

People coming into work sick to show how dedicated to work they are or saving those days for 'mental health days' meant ironically.

No Justin! Don't come over to my desk with your coughing and runny nose telling me how bad you're 'roughing it' at work to get some sympathy. "If you're looking for sympathy, look under the dictionary between shit and syphilis"!

greenbanky Report

Final score:
97points
Add photo comments
POST
leighm avatar
Dodo
Dodo
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I doubt this will change in the US where most people can't afford to take sick days and/or aren't entitled to them

Vote comment up
52
52points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

I’m hoping that this convinces the (American, pretty much everyone else has this figured out already) masses that healthcare is a human right and should not be tied to employment. The pandemic has shown that plenty of people lose their jobs through no fault of their own, despite their best efforts and that should not condemn them to either going without healthcare or accumulating crippling debt when they lose their health insurance coverage.

trying_to_adult_here Report

Final score:
97points
Add photo comments
POST
mosheh_wolf avatar
Mosheh Wolf
Mosheh Wolf
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yet nearly half of the people in the USA happily voted for people who wanted to take away what little healthcare they had... So no, it will not change. Somebody smarter and more original than me said something to the effect that poor and middle class Americans think that they are millionaires who are temporarily broke, so they will happily acquiesce to laws that benefit the wealthy but harm the poor.

Vote comment up
55
55points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

40 Interesting Answers To What Will Never Be The Same Once The Pandemic Is Over, As Said By People On Reddit As a current college student, I am in favor of keeping recorded lectures. It's way more helpful than just having notes or slides.

dan4mt , Radiofabrik - Community Media Association Salzburg Report

Final score:
89points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#16

40 Interesting Answers To What Will Never Be The Same Once The Pandemic Is Over, As Said By People On Reddit My definition of “personal space.”

taebek1 , Phil Denton Report

Final score:
86points
Add photo comments
POST
bz_furfur avatar
BZ FurFur
BZ FurFur
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Indeed! <3 I'm happy to give up my "personal space" for a kitkit

Vote comment up
18
18points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

40 Interesting Answers To What Will Never Be The Same Once The Pandemic Is Over, As Said By People On Reddit Shopping will continue to be mostly online and malls will likely die out faster than they were already going to.

FrogginBullfish_ , Rene Schwietzke Report

Final score:
81points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

40 Interesting Answers To What Will Never Be The Same Once The Pandemic Is Over, As Said By People On Reddit Health care workers going to work without a mask on. Definitely took for granted seeing my co workers smiling faces during my long shifts

madif0626 , QEClassCarriers Report

Final score:
78points
Add photo comments
POST
kha_duong_1 avatar
K.
K.
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would always flush when someone compliments me on my smile and teeth. I was a little kid with thick eyebrows, huge lips, and big teeth. Apparently, they’re in demand now. Never really wanted to believe it since I grew up hearing differently. I’ll try to be in more pictures, smiling.

Vote comment up
13
13points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

40 Interesting Answers To What Will Never Be The Same Once The Pandemic Is Over, As Said By People On Reddit Obliviousness to how many things I touched between hand washings

level 1 snortingdietcoke , Admire Studios (Twyla Lapointe) Report

Final score:
74points
Add photo comments
POST
tasha_mwah avatar
Tash
Tash
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Im so aware of everything i touch now. I didnt realise before how many things i casually put my hands on just on my commute to work.

Vote comment up
14
14points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

Literally this morning, our local paper reported that the government is aiming to achieve full internet coverage throughout Indonesia, reaching even the remote villages by 2024. We had a local meme as our boomer minister said a few years back something in the line of "Why do we need strong internet access?" It took the poor stealing smartphones for the sole purpose of letting their kids attend online classes to convince them. So the answer to the question is: some boomers' view on the value of internet accessability.

level 1 Lizeck Report

Final score:
64points
Add photo comments
POST
eaglegirl36 avatar
Eagle Girl
Eagle Girl
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The sadness here is that there has been a Global Payoff to lawmakers to disband internet access with removing Net Neutrality. ( If you don't know, you should) It's disgraceful. Karma taught them through CoVid that money Can't Buy Everything

Vote comment up
3
3points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#21

Childhood development theories - we now have an entire group of children who have missed what are regarded as developmental milestones. Learning to play cooperatively with others, learning to share, empathy building, etc. It will be very interesting to see the research coming out over the next decade or so

JaBe68 Report

Final score:
64points
Add photo comments
POST
emilyduffin avatar
Emilingo
Emilingo
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know somebody who missed the end of kindergarten and is now starting first grade. She's been a nightmare. It is not interesting, trust me.

Vote comment up
14
14points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

Food delivery just being dropped off on your doorstep. Remember when you had to go outside and make EYE CONTACT like some kind of PERSON?! No more, my friends. Just leave it outside and I’ll get it when I’m ready. No more scrambling to find pants when you’re half baked and hungry...

paperbackella Report

Final score:
59points
Add photo comments
POST
tasha_mwah avatar
Tash
Tash
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, I kind of like the whole less direct contact with strangers part of this.

Vote comment up
32
32points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

40 Interesting Answers To What Will Never Be The Same Once The Pandemic Is Over, As Said By People On Reddit As a nursing assistant... I will be forever oh so hesitant to get near someone (particularly the elderly who like to cough directly at you) without my eye-shield and mask.

Pigvalve , Official U.S. Navy Page Report

Final score:
58points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#24

40 Interesting Answers To What Will Never Be The Same Once The Pandemic Is Over, As Said By People On Reddit My waistline

Sk8rmom , Alan Levine Report

Final score:
57points
Add photo comments
POST
bridgetprice avatar
Bridget Price
Bridget Price
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

but that hershey bar just looked so good... just sitting there....

Vote comment up
8
8points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

Hopefully frequent handwashings will become the norm. And hand sanitizers in shops, restaurants and public spaces.

As someone who refuses to touch food if I haven't washed my hands (I am emetophobic, I'm terrified of the stomach flu), this endless supply everywhere I go is really nice. And people who usually don't care about washing their hands do it more often!

martybarty Report

Final score:
53points
Add photo comments
POST
mrkette avatar
Mary Rose Kent
Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a super-smeller/super-taster, the scent of hand sanitizer in a restaurant really, really, really interferes with the taste of my food.

Vote comment up
26
26points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

Having been the funeral organist for numerous pandemic-caused deaths:

I can bear first-hand witness to the sad fact that the families and friends of the departed brought to their death by COVID-19 will never be the same.

Back2Bach Report

Final score:
51points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

They’ll probably leave the plexiglass things up. That’s probably it.

saydizzle Report

Final score:
50points
Add photo comments
POST
leirah_1 avatar
Neva Nevičica
Neva Nevičica
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They put plexiglass thing on my desk. You would't believe how speckled with spit it was at the end of the day (in the period when masks were not mandatory). All of that spit ended on me and on the desk before that. I love the plexiglas thing, honestly.

Vote comment up
30
30points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#28

40 Interesting Answers To What Will Never Be The Same Once The Pandemic Is Over, As Said By People On Reddit Drinking fountains.

indianalayla , travelwayoflife Report

Final score:
46points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

It's annoying how (seemingly) quickly my life went from talking about where we wanted to buy a house to discussing the possibility of moving back in with my parents for a while.

RIP live music career, you will be missed.

MaritMonkey Report

Final score:
41points
Add photo comments
POST
rodgersnigel avatar
Nigel Rodgers
Nigel Rodgers
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have faith things will turn to normal for you. In the mean time social media is actually a serious WFH alternative. Check out reddit r/pan, tiktok, twitch, YouTube and Facebook among others.

Vote comment up
5
5points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

Movies, unfortunately. Cinema specifically. I'm sure a lot of production companies will take enormous losses or possibly file bankruptcy as no one is paying to go see movies anymore. The other issue being that no one can really make movies at the moment either. Travel bans all over, logistic issues, actors not able to be within close proximity to one another, and then all the post-production work that, for the most part can't be done from home. Little to no support for creative arts jobs from governments around the globe. Artists encouraged to retrain in other sectors.

erinxeddie Report

Final score:
35points
Add photo comments
POST
r3dd3v1ll avatar
Oathbraker
Oathbraker
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here's a thought- stop paying actors more than 1 million per movie. And stop wasting millions more on marketing- youtube is free. And maybe, just maybe stop taking most of the profits from cinema owners forcing them to sell expensive food and drink.

Vote comment up
14
14points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#31

Standing next to someone after they sneeze

chronos37 Report

Final score:
32points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#32

I am afraid that a lot of karaokes and spas in our country will go out of business.

kabochakabochasweet Report

Final score:
31points
Add photo comments
POST
khairunisaasyikinnoordin avatar
nanashi
nanashi
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Haven't been to any cinemas, karaoke bar, and hot spring spas since the pandemic. I missed them.

Vote comment up
13
13points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#33

Dating is going to get even more app related which isnt good for most people honestly. Especially if people work at home more and dont go out for entertainment.

binkerfluid Report

Final score:
31points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

My attitude towards my entertainment backlog. Previously I used to look at my PlayStation library or my Netflix list and think "If I just had a few weeks off,I could make a serious dent"

I've had more then a few weeks off and my backlog seems if anything more endless,I'll probably be in the retirement home with that little voice in the back of my head going "Peaky Blinders is meant to be good,should get on that"

OnGapYearForever Report

Final score:
29points
Add photo comments
POST
r3dd3v1ll avatar
Oathbraker
Oathbraker
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Peaky Blinders is good though. It has some absolutely terrific acting and a great soundtrack. And what's best- seasons are only 6 episodes long. I dislike series with 20+ episodes per season that just stretch out the plot endlessly.

Vote comment up
9
9points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#35

People actually knowing what 6ft looks like. Seriously, everyone's estimations of 6ft distance have been just gradually decreasing and decreasing to a point where most people are hanging out 3ft away and thinking it's 6

wafflefelafel Report

Final score:
28points
Add photo comments
POST
mrkette avatar
Mary Rose Kent
Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m 5’3”, so I always look at the person in front of me and think “how much clearance is there if I were to fall face-first?” Most of the stores in my small town have masking tape strips on the floor areas leading to the check-out counter.

Vote comment up
34
34points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#36

I have the impression that people has shown their worst part and this will have consequences for long time

CamXXXSingles Report

Final score:
27points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#37

Cruise Ships... dubious that industry will come out the other side without radical changes

level 1 PirateKilt Report

Final score:
26points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

Fewer weddings, more elopements.

coffeeblossom Report

Final score:
26points
Add photo comments
POST
catmarshall57 avatar
BusLady
BusLady
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or at least much smaller weddings, with far less guests.

Vote comment up
17
17points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

Video games. They feel like they did when I was a teenager again. Usually I feel guilty that I'm not doing something more productive, but right now I could care less about spending a whole weekend doing almost nothing but playing video games.

SleepyConscience Report

Final score:
21points
Add photo comments
POST
johnl_2 avatar
John L
John L
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember my father always chastising me about playing video games. That interest led me into the computer field and I make more than he ever did. Go, joystick that, dad!

Vote comment up
12
12points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#40

Snow days (for school)

Guzz14 Report

Final score:
20points
Add photo comments
POST
sarahpanhorst_1 avatar
Luna Lovegood
Luna Lovegood
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep. My school district has basically said no more snow days, ever. Future generations will never know the joy :(

Vote comment up
18
18points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!