When we walked back to the car after the 2nd pedestrian bridge I noticed this billboard. Fortunately my husband was patient enough to wait whilst I set up the tripod again...
The board reads: "Social Distancing isn't a personal choice. It's an ethical duty"
and below "#OmanToRecovery"
My friend thought it was a bad example because they have their masks under their chins. But I liked it because the gentlemen having coffee, sitting apart and their masks are visible.
Well, the shot is very fine. I like the flare of the street lamps. And the evening sky. And it looks so fine in dark mode, too.
Regarding the billboard, i don;t really get it very well, because the clothing of the persons is a bit strange for me. If that is casual outfit in Oman, then i assume it is fine. and the masks would have been weird, considering the fact that the two hold each a cup of coffee/tea...
What bothers me is the term media uses so extensively: social distancing. I think this term, which appears even on this billboard, is a bit contradictory to the image: the persons socialize, but at a distance. I would so much prefer physical distancing, rather than social distancing. We should remain social animals, as we were born, just a bit physically distanced. For a while now. Social does not mean only physical relationships, does it? These are just personal ramblings. Just don't mind me.
@monikozi When I first arrived here a year and half ago, the men in the "white dresses" looked a bit odd to me too. But it is what the Omani men wear and now I'm used to it. Here is a link to a picture in taken in January when my parents visited. The Omanis are very friendly and my dad liked the traditional clothing, especially the hats (he didn't buy one), so here is a link to a picture: http://365project.org/ingrid01/365/2020-01-23
With regard to the "social distancing", I did not think about it that much, but must agree with you that "physical distancing" is a better term.
@ingrid01 hehe.... that's comic - your dad with the hat. It's strange how it just does not suit him. And about the terminology, i know that it might be a bit extreme, and perhaps i am ruminating about it too much, and politicall correctness is not really my thing, but in this particular case, i find the terminology quite disturbing. and words are still a powerful tool and weapon.
Lovely image.and composition. A few days somebody grumbled with our Minister for Health because he saw a person smoking with his mask under his chin. The minister's reply was "I have never seen a person smoking with his mask on." The best thing would have been not to smoke and leave the mask on. Similar situation in this screen.
@monikozi I appreciate that you shared your view and you definitely made me think. I also agree that physical distance is a more appropriate term and that language can be powerful. However, in the case of this board, the picture is far more important.
The main reason that the picture is more important than the text is because of language issues. Although English is widely spoken I doubt how many can actually read it as Arabic is the first language here. In Muscat (the capital) all the supermarkets items are in both Arabic and English and you do not need to speak Arabic here, but when you go out a little further, knowing some Arabic is very useful.
On top of that I think the image is very strong and tells its own story, that is why I still like it. But you need to be familiar with the culture. Drinking coffee/tea outside the house is super important here. On every corner you have a coffee shop (mostly small shops, nothing like a fancy Starbucks, although we have those too). And Omanis are very friendly and social. They like to go out together and before the pandemic you saw often groups of 4 to 6 men and similar groups of ladies sitting together having coffee and/or lunch.
So the message I get (and hopefully to many more) is that:
1) it is OK to see a friend and NOT a group of friends. There are actually fines for gatherings in groups bigger than 4 non-family members.
2) you can have a coffee outside your home. Which is awesome, because so many small business had to close their doors already and many more are struggling.
3) masks under the chin - don't forget in what time we live. Again there is a big fine for not wearing a mask in public (and everybody knows that).
@sangwann I like the reply of the minister! And I hate the smell of cigarette smoke, so if I was the minister I would put a fine on it!
But here is a problem... I like coffee....
I just wrote a reply to monikozi why I still like the billboard and why the masks under the chins do not bother me in this case.
A FAV!
Regarding the billboard, i don;t really get it very well, because the clothing of the persons is a bit strange for me. If that is casual outfit in Oman, then i assume it is fine. and the masks would have been weird, considering the fact that the two hold each a cup of coffee/tea...
What bothers me is the term media uses so extensively: social distancing. I think this term, which appears even on this billboard, is a bit contradictory to the image: the persons socialize, but at a distance. I would so much prefer physical distancing, rather than social distancing. We should remain social animals, as we were born, just a bit physically distanced. For a while now. Social does not mean only physical relationships, does it? These are just personal ramblings. Just don't mind me.
With regard to the "social distancing", I did not think about it that much, but must agree with you that "physical distancing" is a better term.
The main reason that the picture is more important than the text is because of language issues. Although English is widely spoken I doubt how many can actually read it as Arabic is the first language here. In Muscat (the capital) all the supermarkets items are in both Arabic and English and you do not need to speak Arabic here, but when you go out a little further, knowing some Arabic is very useful.
On top of that I think the image is very strong and tells its own story, that is why I still like it. But you need to be familiar with the culture. Drinking coffee/tea outside the house is super important here. On every corner you have a coffee shop (mostly small shops, nothing like a fancy Starbucks, although we have those too). And Omanis are very friendly and social. They like to go out together and before the pandemic you saw often groups of 4 to 6 men and similar groups of ladies sitting together having coffee and/or lunch.
So the message I get (and hopefully to many more) is that:
1) it is OK to see a friend and NOT a group of friends. There are actually fines for gatherings in groups bigger than 4 non-family members.
2) you can have a coffee outside your home. Which is awesome, because so many small business had to close their doors already and many more are struggling.
3) masks under the chin - don't forget in what time we live. Again there is a big fine for not wearing a mask in public (and everybody knows that).
But here is a problem... I like coffee....
I just wrote a reply to monikozi why I still like the billboard and why the masks under the chins do not bother me in this case.