Skip to content

6 feet to eat: The extreme lengths people are going through to social distance

May 27, 2020
4 min read
NETHERLANDS-HEALTH-VIRUS-FOOD
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

We live in a weird new world, my friends.

As stay-at-home orders begin to lift around the world, people are getting pretty crafty with how they manage to keep their distance in public places. As you likely know, experts say maintaining six feet of space from others when out in public can help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Visit TPG's guide to all coronavirus news and updates

But we have to give credit where credit is due, and these places are just taking it to the next level.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

Pool noodles

We bet you thought you'd never see the day where you'd have to use a pool noodle while dining at a restaurant. And no, we're not talking about a swim-up bar — we're talking about a café in Germany.

Café Rothe, a pastry shop and cafe in Schwerin, is helping guests stay a safe distance apart by attaching 6-foot pool noodles to their heads, ABC News reported. If you bump noodles with another noodle, you're too close.

Social distancing crowns — and onions!

Also in Germany: Social distancing crowns, courtesy of Burger King. The fast-food chain designed (you guessed it!) oversized 6-foot "crowns" meant to keep customers far apart, Business Insider reported.

"The do-it-yourself social distance crown was a fun and playful way to remind our guests to practice social distancing while they are enjoying food in the restaurants," a spokesperson told Business Insider.

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

In Italy, instead of a colossal crown, you can order a Social Distancing Whopper that has three times the amount of raw onions, according to Fast Company. The stench of onions is meant to keep people far away from each other.

Have it your way.

Related: 6 tips for booking Lufthansa first-class awards

Bumper tables

But that's not all, folks. At Fish Tales, a restaurant in Ocean City, Maryland, "bumper tables" have been rolled out for guests to use.

According to a video posted on the restaurant's Facebook page, the "tables" are six feet in diameter and allow guests to drink (and dine) safely. They will be available whenever the restaurant is allowed to serve again. They even have cupholders.

There are currently 10 bumper tables available, but the restaurant's owner, Shawn Harman, said he plans to order 40 more so customers can enjoy their food while dining in the restaurant's parking lot, NBC News Washington reported.

This is the era of dining and, er, distancing.

Related: Yes, you can ski in Maryland: Here's what I learned during my trip

Quarantine greenhouses

If you're in Amsterdam, get ready for a romantic, socially distanced dinner in a "quarantine greenhouse." It has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

Soon, you might be able to feast on a four-course vegetarian menu at Mediamatic ETEN, all while you sit (with your dining companions, of course) in a tiny greenhouse.

"It's super cozy, it's really cozy, it's nice and the food is delicious," Janita Vermeulen, a diner at the restaurant, told Reuters. The outlet added that organizers are calling the project "Serres Séparées," as they say it sounds better in French. Can't really argue with that logic, as it translates to "separate greenhouses" in English.

Right now, they're only available to family members and friends of restaurant staff, and waiters also wear personal protective equipment and carry a longboard to serve diners their dishes. By doing so, they aim to minimize physical contact.

Related: Where to eat in Amsterdam

Social distancing necklaces

After Italy's months-long lockdown, many locals and international tourists are eager to start traveling around the beautiful country again — but this is not the country it was a mere three months ago.

Take, for example, the Duomo in Florence, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. The Florentine reported that here, a first-of-its-kind social distancing alert device will be provided to all visitors. It's a small appliance that guests will have to wear around their neck, and it will start sounding off and vibrating if someone gets too close.

Plus, expect lots of hand sanitizer, temperature checks and a controlled entrance to minimize the flow of tourists. Visitors will also have to wear face coverings, such as a mask, at all times.

Related: How to get to Italy on points and miles

Featured image by ANP/AFP via Getty Images

TPG featured card

Best for businesses with high spending
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4.5 / 5
Go to review

Rewards

2 - 10X miles

Intro offer

LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles

Annual Fee

$395

Recommended Credit

740-850
Excellent

Why We Chose It

The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
  • In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
  • Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.

Cons

  • The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
  • Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
  • LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
  • Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
  • With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
  • Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
  • Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
  • Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
  • This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Apply for Capital One Venture X Business
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for businesses with high spending
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4.5 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

2X miles2 miles per dollar on every purchase
5X miles5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
10X miles10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
  • Intro Offer

    LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles
  • Annual Fee

    $395
  • Recommended Credit

    740-850
    Excellent

Why We Chose It

The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
  • In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
  • Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.

Cons

  • The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
  • Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
  • LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
  • Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
  • With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
  • Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
  • Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
  • Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
  • This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month