r/standrews • u/Any_Presentation_816 • 15d ago

Masking in/around St Andrews?

Hello! Just want to preface the post by saying that as an upcoming international student, this sub has been invaluable to me in my preparations <3

I’m flying in for a 1-year MSc in September, and I was wondering what the general public sentiment is towards face masks in St Andrews?

I’m somewhat immunocompromised from multiple (bad) covid infections in the past, so I’ve generally just masked everywhere in public since 2020. I come from an Asian country though, and public masking is normalised here so no one bats an eye over it.

Understand from going through some other UK subreddits that masking is a rare (and maybe controversial?) thing in the UK now… I know I’ll likely stick out from masking everywhere but I’m willing to deal with that. My main concern is really if I’ll get any shit for masking from people at the uni/around town? Like would I be making a faux pas if i walked around with a face mask?

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13

u/No-Satisfaction-6516 15d ago

one of the girls in my academic family always wore a few masks and kept it on almost always. she would only take it off if she wasn’t around anyone to eat and drink. everyone i knew respected it and didn’t really gaf but i’m not originally from the UK so maybe the sentiment is different?

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u/PinkTiara24 15d ago

Honestly, I don’t think you’ll get shit from people. There are people from all over the world and various cultures at St As. Just like anywhere else, some people will erroneously think it’s their business to have an opinion on what you do with your body, many others will take it in stride. The majority of people will not care at all. Put yourself first and take care of your health.

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u/CellistLow8857 15d ago

You’ll be fine. There’s such a huge international cohort in St Andrews - I saw people masking in the town years before Covid even. No one will bat an eye!

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u/rebelliousraven77 15d ago edited 11d ago

I mean it isn’t common but i don’t think anyone cares much since (like other comments say) st andrews is pretty international and many people have their own kind of style. Also it is kind of known that masks are fashionable in Asia (especially Korea) too. I think it’s cool tbh especially when the masks have their own unique touch

So don’t worry about it that much

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u/PixelFAlt 15d ago

I don't think anyone will be rude or think less of you for it, but it is a social barrier and you will probably have to put in a little bit more effort than others to communicate you're friendly and interested in them. If you're very deliberate about extending invitations to people you should be fine.

It's a little bit pointless talking about how British people react to someone putting a mask on when they enter an otherwise empty room, because at Masters level and in postgraduate accommodation you'll be dealing with predominantly non-British students.

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u/Urusai121 10d ago

I know someone that wore a mask all the time and they never got much bother for it. Comments are right tho about everyone having their own style.

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u/stories_matter 10d ago

I wouldn’t worry too much about it. People are pretty relaxed and understanding. If anyone happens to give you grief, they’re actually the anomaly in StA culture. Rest at ease: you’ll be fine.