Sneeze Guard Effect

The Sneeze Guard Effect

In recent years, especially since the onset of COVID-19, the need for real human connection has become glaringly obvious. Forget ivory-tower debates; let’s talk about something as every day as ordering a sandwich. Do you know those sneeze guards at Subway or Chipotle? They protect the food, sure. But there’s another “sneeze guard” we’ve all put up—a barrier that makes us forget that the person making that sandwich is, well, a person.

Now, stats tell us civility is on the decline. A 2021 Weber Shandwick study revealed that just 19% of Americans rate our national decorum as “excellent” or “good.” So, we’re not just imagining things; we’ve collectively become less polite and less caring. And that change wasn’t helped by the stress and strain of a global pandemic, which made us all a bit more inward-focused.

It’s not just about customers and service providers anymore. Our friends in various service industries are on the front lines, dealing with more than their share of the weight that the world’s going through. These folks aren’t just numbers or roles; they’re humans with lives as complex as ours.

Why do we suddenly “wake up” and start treating people like people only when there’s an issue?

Is it a problem with our fast-paced society, or have we just become a bit too wrapped up in ourselves?

Either way, the change starts with us.

The saying “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar” still holds up. And right now, kindness is that, honey.

Starting today, let’s make an effort to see and acknowledge the people who make our lives more comfortable, from our favorite barista to the hotel receptionist. Ask them how their day is going, or give them a genuine “thank you.” It might seem small, but those tiny gestures can add to a significant change in the atmosphere around us.

COVID-19 showed us how interconnected we all are—for better or worse. So, let’s drop the invisible sneeze guard that separates us emotionally from others.
It’s about time we recognize that basic decency isn’t just nice-to-have—it’s a must-have for a society that wants to thrive, not just survive.

As we move into a long weekend filled with celebrations and shopping, let’s not forget that the person on the other side of each transaction is human, too.

Whether you’re picking up groceries, checking into a hotel, or grabbing that much-needed cup of coffee, take a moment to connect.

A smile, a thank you, or even just eye contact can make all the difference in someone’s day—and in yours as well.
So, let’s use this opportunity to bring down those invisible barriers and start treating each other like the neighbors we actually are.

Happy long weekend, everyone.