How to Be a Flâneur During a Global Pandemic

The past six months have certainly been interesting ones, to say the least.

At no time in human history has a respiratory disease been used as a pretext - on a global scale - for curtailing civil liberties, driving millions into unemployment - not to mention the permanent closure of hundreds of thousands of small businesses. And of course, let's not forget the 'mandatory' mask mandates by government fiat.

We are told to avoid handling cash. Too easy to spread the virus that way, they say. Instead, use only credit or debit cards, so that there is an electronic record of every one of your purchases. Is it a coincidence that promoted or mandated exclusive use of these cards can also provide for direct, 3rd party control over your money, when the appropriate time comes?

We're being told to acclimate to a 'new normal.' But what will such a 'new normal' look like? Permanent masks while in public? Will bars and restaurants, as we know them, ever be allowed to open again? Will we ever be able to go to the theater or to a jazz club again? Perhaps not until we're all forced to take a mandatory vaccine?

For a flâneur who wants to savor life, as well as enjoy and appreciate those with whom he/she shares humanity - these are ominous, if not sinister times, indeed.

But these are all rhetorical questions, which may or may not be answered as events continue to unfold, and are not within the scope to address here. Those questions will be discussed at length in subsequent posts as we explore the real reasons we find ourselves trapped in this new reality of the year 2020. And trust me, it's a rabbit hole as deep and as sinister as it gets.

For now, the question at hand for this post then is, given the circumstances of our new reality - what is a flâneur to do?

The first and most basic element in flânerie is Social Interaction. Social Interaction has been significantly curtailed over the past six months due to: our virtual house arrests since mid-March; the mask mandates; and the apparent mass neuroses of getting too close to other human beings for fear of contracting the COVID-19 contagion.

It's hard to imagine a more effective combination of factors that could be as damaging to our common humanity and bonds to one another, than by establishing these artificial, and mostly unwarranted barriers. #socialengineeringatitsworst  We're not going to get into the reasons for this here, as I previously mentioned, but rather we'll talk about how to still get the most out of life as a flâneur under these most trying of circumstances.

1.  Social Interaction (with Those Closest to You)
If you lost your job or other income as a result of government actions in response to the virus, hopefully you have been able to obtain unemployment or small business assistance and other special considerations for paying your monthly expenses until you can return to generating other income or wages and catch-up - or otherwise resolve your outstanding financial obligations.

Particularly if you have a family, this will be an overriding consideration until these life circumstances change. Sometimes life throws overwhelming challenges at us, and certain things must be set aside until we can stabilize or situation - but that doesn't mean we have to stop living.

In the meantime however, most of us will be spending more time than ever at home, and this provides us with a unique opportunity in which to spend much more quality time with our families, as well as for our own introspection and intellectual pursuits.

My wife an I spend an evening cocktail hour out on our front terrace every day, weather permitting. It provides us with an opportunity to spend time together that we would ordinarily never have time to do - giver our pre-lockdown work schedules. Therefore, try to turn this situation into a positive experience if you can, by rediscovering your own spouse or family.

2.  Image
Just because I've been working from home for the past six months doesn't mean I pay no attention to how I look. For one thing, my wife has to look at me - far more than she did when I went to the office everyday. And so I shave every morning - wearing nothing less than business casual - and many times donning a shirt and tie.

I do this to stay sharp and to stay disciplined. It's my way of maintaining a disciplined, structured workday, and it sets the tone for the balance of my day as soon as I come downstairs for my morning coffee. This may seem a bit extreme for some, but it works for me. Don't knock it if you haven't tried it.

3.  'Breaking Bread'
My wife and I share virtually all of our meals together now, whereas when I was commuting to New York everyday, we shared practically none. This has meant a great deal to both of us. It's frankly the way we originally intended to be living our lives, instead of getting caught up in the 'rat-race' the way we did.

So if you can't bond with other friends and business associates at a fine restaurant or bar, try it at home with your family. They're far more important. And speaking only for myself, I'm also saving a fortune in bar tabs.

I always try to maintain a civil, semi-formal decorum and dress - even when in my own home with no place to go.

For me, contemplation with a fine cigar at the end of the day has become one of life's simple but profound pleasures.

4.  Lifestyle
Even when confined to your home, how you dress; how disciplined you are in the way you structure your day; how you maintain your home; and even how you relax - all combine to form a lifestyle that will help determine the quality and fulfillment of each day,

I try to maintain a day as disciplined as if I was still commuting to the office, and I dress the same way. I reward myself (and this is important) at the end of each day with a fine cigar and cocktails with my lovely wife, This has become my late afternoon/evening ritual when I log off my computer for the day, and virtually my sole source of relaxation during these very unusual times.

Some nights I'll stay out a bit longer than my wife. And during those solitary times, given the alcohol, the tobacco, the quiet of the twilight or night, and the stars - I've done some of my most profound thinking about life, and even had my own epiphanies about it.

5.  Intellectual Pursuits
For me, since working from home, I save almost 6 hours a day round-trip in commuting time between my home and New York City. What one can do with an extra 6 hours in a workday! Use this period as an opportunity to pursue those interests for which you previously never had time. Engaging in these activities will help further structure your day and hopefully give you a sense of accomplishment, or at least fulfillment.

You can read more about the 5 elements of flânerie by following the link to the page, On Becoming a Flâneur - A Primer of Essential Elements.


So, good luck. The current situation will not stay as it is forever (although it might get worse). But we probably won't see much change from where we are now until at least after the November elections, unfortunately.

In the meantime, let's cope and savor as much out of life in the finest manner we can. I hope this post helps.

There's something about the still of twilight with a fine cigar and well-mixed cocktail that helps one unlock the mysteries of life - seriously.

© 2020  David Nogar   All Rights Reserved