Suburban Housing Boom

The COVID-19 pandemic has given over 50% of Americans the opportunity to work from home due to stay-at-home orders. A new report from Zillow reveals that this could cause a suburban housing boom, as people may no longer need to work full-time in busier, crowded and more expensive metros. Zillow conducted a survey that found that 75% of Americans working from home due to COVID-19 would prefer to continue that at least half the time if the option was presented when the pandemic subsides. The survey also showed that 66% of employees working from home would likely consider moving if they had the flexibility to work from home as often as they want. "Many employed Americans are trying to square the desire to work remotely with the functionality and size of their existing homes," according to the report. "Among employees who would be likely to consider moving, If, given the flexibility to work from home when they want, nearly one-third say they would consider moving in order to live in a home with dedicated office space (31%), to live in a larger home (30%), and to live in a home with more rooms (29%)." Source: Zillow

The handshake used to be a universal custom when closing a deal. Has the COVID-19 pandemic killed the ritual for good? A 2019 study published in the Journal of Personality of Social Psychology prior to the coronavirus outbreak found that handshakes were perceived as an intent to cooperate and led to improved negotiation outcomes. But health experts say that in a time of social distancing, shaking hands is an outdated custom. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has said: “I don’t think we should ever shake hands ever again. … We’ve got to break that custom. Because as a matter of fact, that is really one of the major ways that you can transmit a respiratory illness.” If the handshake fades away, what customs will replace it? A commentary in USA Today proposes bypassing handshakes and making introductions at business meetings with a simple “hello” or “pleasure to see you.” Some may want to take cues from other cultures, replacing the handshake with a bow at the waist, for example. Others have suggested clasping your hands together in a prayer-like gesture or crossing your wrists on your chest while making eye contact. Greetings on technology platforms may serve as a guide for how people connect in the future. Etiquette experts point to examples of people using communication technologies where they give a wave, thumbs up, or nod their head to greet one another. “What these welcoming greetings all share is appropriate eye contact and a smile,” writes Bradley Ruffle, a professor of economics and academic director of McMaster University’s Decision Science Laboratory, and Candace Smith, a business etiquette coach. Source: USA Today