They are in their thirties or are approaching it. They have known each other from near or far for several years. They usually meet up every Wednesday after work to have an aperitif. Most often, they meet at the Atelier, a bar located on Avenue de France in Lausanne, a stone’s throw from Place Chaudron.
But now, the coronavirus epidemic has decided otherwise. The semi-containment measures imposed by the government forced them to modify their plans somewhat. “For a few weeks, we will have to opt for aperitifs 2.0”, laughs, in front of her screen, Olia, 31 years old. That evening, it’s on the videoconferencing platform Zoom that the young woman passionate about new technologies invited her friends to join her. “Whether it’s selling, raining or snowing, we meet every Wednesday. This is our weekly meeting. So it’s not the coronavirus that’s going to stop us, ”says the mistress of this digital ceremony, well settled in her sofa.
Since the bars were closed and the ban on meeting more than five people, aperitifs and distance dinners, carried out by interposed screens, have multiplied in the canton. “Coronapéro”, “Skypéro”, “Apéro Skype” or simply “Apéro cam”: this new trend can take several names. And there is no shortage of platforms on which you can toast virtually (see box).
Crazy laughs
Nineteen sharp hours. Alexandre, Laia, Sarah, Samanta and Jonathan take turns connecting. They all have a bottle of beer or a glass of wine in their hand. “Hey, hello buddies. Health! they all claim at the same time, in a merry hubbub. How nice to see you. ” While the happy band of Lausanne friends celebrates the joy of being together, some take the opportunity to open a packet of crisps or to smoke a cigarette at the window of their living room. The faces are pixelated. Bugs are common. Never mind: the heart is there. “Sorry for the poor quality of my webcam,” apologizes Alexander. My internet connection is rotten, it could cut. ”
Despite these hiccups, the discussions continued for almost two hours. Not surprisingly, the Covid-19 epidemic is on everyone’s lips. All fear that the containment measures will be further tightened, as in Italy, France and Spain. But for now, everyone benefits from being able to leave their homes freely. “I dare not imagine what it will be like when we can’t go out,” worries Olia.
Laughs are also part of it. As if to cover up somehow the worries linked to the progress of the pandemic. “I started doing things that I never did at home before, kind of a sport,” jokes Samanta, 31. “I have just come out of 5 months of unemployment and there, I have the impression, to be there again”, notes Alexandre while opening his second beer.
The Lausanne group of friends is already striving to see all kinds of advantages in this new way of drinking. “Sometimes on Wednesday evening, I’m too tired to leave my house,” says Sarah, 27. But here, since I can stay in my living room, it’s very practical. We can leave when we want to. We are already at home. ” “And it’s also cheaper than having an aperitif in town,” added Olia. The only downside, perhaps: the totally messed up mode of interaction. “In videoconferencing, we all have to participate in the same discussion and speak one after the other. At the risk, if not, of not being understood. It’s very different than a real drink, ”says Samanta.
The beers and crisps are finished. In the end, the experience of the virtual aperitif is not that strange. It is perfect to avoid spreading the virus. “It lacks a little human warmth, laments Sarah. But this is the price to pay to maintain a semblance of social life. And we manage to have the same conversations as usual in a relaxed atmosphere, so it’s great! ” A first aperitif 2.0 experience, therefore quite successful for those connected. “See you next Wednesday, same time, same place,” concludes Olia before putting an end to this first “coronapéro” which will probably be remembered.
Created: 21.03.2020, 11h38
–
