Two out of three French people, aged 18-24 in the lead, are already preparing their return to the terrace



The terrace of a restaurant in Marseille. – Fabien Dupoux

  • Two less weeks, except against orders, bars and restaurants will be able to reopen their terraces to customers, but always with a strict sanitary protocol.
  • According to a Harris Interactive poll for Coca-Cola European Partners that reveals 20 minutes, two-thirds of French people are already thinking of this famous date of May 19.
  • Which terraces will they choose? With whom ? To talk about what? Are they afraid of the risk of contamination?

It will probably not be the big stick. But it’s still good to take in the current context. In less than two weeks, on May 19 – if the government does not back down – bars and restaurants will be able to reopen their terraces to customers. Reception only outdoors, limited to six people per table, with a curfew shifted to 9 p.m. Or the beginning of a return to life for these establishments, in an artificial coma since the end of October.

Will there be a crowd at the rendezvous? A priori yes, indicates a study Harris Interactive for Coca-Cola European Partners * as revealed 20 minutes this Friday. Because while many (77%) remember their last drink on the terrace in the fall, almost as many (68%) prepare for their return. And this despite the still present Covid-19 epidemic. “I am not afraid of finding people, and I think that there are less risks in restaurants than in public transport…”, notes Patricia, who answered our call for testimonies.

A quarter of 18-24 year olds will want to benefit more than before the crisis

May 19 and the following days are therefore checked in the calendars. But with what program? There, it is a little more vague. Slightly less than one in two respondents (43%) know who they are going to have a drink with. The same proportion (39%) has already spotted THE terrace in question, and a quarter has planned their order. Dominique is notably in the starting blocks: “As soon as the opening was announced, I booked for May 19 at 1:15 pm, for two people, at the Grand Véfour. [à Paris], he explains. Too long that we wait (…). We will unfortunately not be able to enjoy the interior decor, but I hope we will. We keep our fingers crossed for it to be on top ”.

Deprived of going out for many months, young people are, unsurprisingly, the most inclined to have planned their first “aperitif after”. They are also the most numerous (45% of 18-24 year olds, 24% of the total) wanting to take advantage of bars and restaurants even more than before the crisis. Because terraces, this survey tells us, are above all synonymous with conviviality. “It’s seeing people, leaving home,” confirms Christophe.

Logical, therefore, to see that the overwhelming majority (93%) of people who will return to the terrace will do so together. It will be with family (52%) rather than friends (36%). Even if they are seldom seen at the moment, colleagues are much less considered (5%).

“There is a” catch “: no outdoor terrace”

And once there, there is no question of falling out from the reunion by talking politics. Still according to the survey, vacations, family and news (including the health crisis) will be at the center of the discussions. Unless the conversation revolves around… those who won’t be there.

Among them, some, like Denis, evoke the health risks: “I am against this serious error of the president, it will be (of) relaxation. Another problem: the pure and simple absence of a terrace. “I’m ready to go back to my favorite place, but there is a ‘catch’, Jocelyne tells us: this place does not have an outdoor terrace! We are wronged, and it is out of the question to stand stupidly outside on the sidewalk to consume a drink with friends. “

And then there are those who no longer want to. Like Alain: “For more than a year, the government has taught me to do without the unnecessary (café terrace, restaurant, cinema, meeting places, gym and other designated unnecessary shops. by the State, etc). I will never go to a cafe or restaurant terrace again ”. Too bad, knowing the welcome that Marie will reserve in her bar in Quimper: “(Certainly), in the rain, it will be less funny, but we are preparing to welcome our beloved customers again! “.

* Survey carried out online from April 30 to May 3, 2021, on a sample of 1,097 people representative of French people aged 18 and over, according to the quota method and adjustment applied to the following variables: sex, age, socio-professional category and region of France. ‘interviewed.



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