Offensive or ok? Asking someone's vaccination status challenges the rules of etiquette
You don’t have to ask Gerald Flecknell if he’s received a COVID-19 vaccine, his ‘Fully Vaccinated Club” t-shirt says it all.
"It’s just a smart thing to do," says the Saint John resident, adding he’d think twice before asking the vaccine status of other people.
"That’s a tough one, you probably have to know the person real well before you asked them that," he says.
An Angus Reid Institute survey found 49 per cent of Canadians believe the question is fine to ask anyone, while 22 per cent say it depends on who you’re asking.
The same survey found 75 per cent of Canadians who are unsure or unwilling to get vaccinated think the question is inappropriate.
Etiquette expert Jay Remer says asking people about their personal health information is usually something to avoid. At the same time, Remer says the pandemic presents unique exceptions to traditional customs.
"If somebody is pregnant or has a broken leg it doesn’t make any difference to you," says Remer. "But if they haven’t been vaccinated, it could make a difference to you."
“It’s a valid fear and you are well within your rights to do whatever you need to do to fix that problem.”
Remer, who is based in St. Andrews, N.B., says etiquette is still important if you choose to ask the question.
"The cardinal rules of 'don’t embarrass people in public' and 'think about how other people might feel about what you’re about to say before you blurt it out,' those kinds of things, those haven’t changed," he says.
The Angus Reid Institute survey also found 46 per cent of vaccinated Canadians say it’s 'unlikely' they’ll want to spend time with unvaccinated people.
Etiquette expert Julie Blais Comeau says people have the right to only invite vaccinated people to private events, like a family wedding or backyard barbecue if that’s what makes them feel comfortable.
"Safety and security first," she says.
Blais Comeau suggests the decision and explanation should be clearly delivered and not by text or e-mail.
"Pick up the phone," she says. "This is one of those (situations) where you want them to hear your voice, your feelings and you want to hear theirs."
Blais Comeau, who is based in Ottawa, says there may be another way to learn someone’s vaccination status without actually asking.
"Volunteer your status first, and then observe the body language," she says.
"Even with a mask, look at those eyes, look at the person going backwards, forward, the frowns, the crossing of the arms. Then you’ll know what should follow up, whether you should ask or not."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.