Consider this: it is not possible to make rules that appear sensible in every possible situation, yet if you don't have any rules, you also get no effect.
No, what we have here is exactly that: a rule with no effect. If everyone on a crowded plane removes their masks for extended periods of time, multiple times during a flight, then what exactly is the "effect" of wearing them at other times? Do you imagine covid becomes less transmissible once dinner is served?
Same with restaurants, where we are told we have to wear masks in order to walk to our tables, but we can remove them once seated, and proceed to eat, drink, talk, laugh, and make merry unmasked, because apparently the mere act of sitting deactivates covid.
These are not effective rules in any sense. They are purely cargo cult.
so what stopped you from complying?, the fact that the rule was stupid was sufficient motivation for you to disregard it and annoy a flight attendant enough that you get screamed at and have your trip made unpleasant? (and possibly annoy and make other people uncomfortable as well?)
What would have been your reaction had a passenger politely asked you to put it on properly as everyone else? (asking since I would do that and not sure what to expect anymore)
Why would you scold someone for wearing a mask improperly when you know everyone's about to remove their masks completely as soon as the snacks come out? What's the point of that?
I'm not the OP, and I haven't flown on a plane since before COVID. But if I do, I'll wear a mask properly if asked simply because I am terrified of getting in trouble with airlines.
Restaurants are different. I've dined in restaurants dozens of times in last two years. I have never worn a mask, and now I don't even carry one with me. On one single occasion I was told by a host at the front to put a mask on. I ignored him and walked to the table, where the act of sitting apparently deactivated the virus and it became acceptable for us all to dine unmasked with dozens of other diners talking, laughing, and in some cases coughing, sneezing, and singing very unsafe birthday songs.
When we rise from our seats after our meals the virus apparently re-activates, however I've never gotten even a glance from anyone while walking out of a restaurant unmasked. Nobody cares, because I think everyone understands that the rules make no sense.
I appreciate your frank admission that masking on planes and in restaurants is merely a ritual done to fulfill other people's irrational expectations. I agree that it has become a intensely strange example of cargo-cultism and virtue signalling, one which I am uncomfortable conforming to simply to respect the "boundaries" of the scolds.
> I appreciate your frank admission that masking on planes and in restaurants is merely a ritual done to fulfill other people's irrational expectations.
I did not say or imply that it's a useless ritual.
What I did want to say is, it's a rule explained in advance, if people don't agree they can pick an airline that doesn't have it.
To answer the mask off during lunch premise. I don't agree with serving lunches on airplanes.
That said, lunches are served on long flights, they take 30 min out of a 9-10h flight, there is a risk but it's not as high as not having them.
Airlines have to serve food... people go hungry, hungry people are unruly... can't avoid it.
I hope you get my point.
> I am uncomfortable conforming to simply to respect the "boundaries" of the scolds
Respect other people's boundaries and respect the rules of carriage then. It's the same as respecting any other rule in society.
> Restaurants are different.
Sure, I also go to outdoor restaurants that are widely spaced, I don't worry there about catching covid... unless someone starts coughing at which point I would leave. I dont have the space and can't just leave an airplane.
> I'm not the OP,
Oh, I apologize, I'll pay attention in the future.
So is wearing seatbelts, following a queue properly, paying taxes, and any other number of things we do while out in society...
It's funny how my parents generation had the same arguments against seatbelts and some refuse to wear them even today and get ticketed... or suddently put them on when seeing a police car...
They're not dead yet so in their mind they are right, and seatbelts are useless.
Same with restaurants, where we are told we have to wear masks in order to walk to our tables, but we can remove them once seated, and proceed to eat, drink, talk, laugh, and make merry unmasked, because apparently the mere act of sitting deactivates covid.
These are not effective rules in any sense. They are purely cargo cult.