Back to work at work

First day back in the office and my initial thoughts are that it feels a bit surreal. Same old office but now everyone has to stand apart and it feels strange to have 'distanced conversations' with people. It's not as bad as having to fire up Zoom to have a meeting or anything, There is still that opportunity for impromptu conversations however I have that initial though at every discussion that I am standing too close to people. I get a feeling that I need to take a step back but I don't want to make the other person feel like they are a leper or something and vice versa. Lunch was weird, everything has changed at the foodhall: having to sign in, all the tables and chairs moved around. Also with the recent changes for 'Sustainable Futures' the ordering and pickup methods have all changed as well. Food was nice though.

While also on the topic of work, I need to voice my opinion that if you are not able to attend a meeting, I am absolutely happy with you 'declining' and giving me a reason. Over the past week, I have had a few instances where people have replied with a 'tentative' and said they cannot make it. Why use 'tentative' if you can't make it? It feels like you are trying to gently break bad news or something. I promise I won't get upset if you use decline. I can understand if you are not sure if you can make it and you want to keep your options open but if you are not able to make it at all, please don't use 'tentative'.

That being said... I thought of a reason why it might be better to use tentative if you aren't able to make a meeting. In case other meetings fall through and your day opens up you might still want to go rather than declining and have the meeting disappear from your calendar altogether. Or if you are interested in the outcomes, it gives you a mental note of following up the meeting organiser after the fact.

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