For those of you who are working from home, are you doing video/audio conferencing?

[smirkymonkey]

And if so, how do you feel about it? I have no problem with audio conferencing (We usually use WebEx or Teams), but I hate and refuse to do video conferencing.

Fortunately our boss gives us the option to turn on video only if we are comfortable. Our team is pretty much split down the middle with half of them choosing to go on camera and the other half only using audio.

First of all, I have my camera covered up and I don't plan on uncovering it. Secondly, it just creeps me out for some reason and I don't see the benefit of it. I do not need to see someone talking to get any more of an advantage out of what they have to say. It just seems invasive and I also have the tendency to roll my eyes when certain people speak. My face is a dead giveaway to what I am thinking and feeling at any time.

Also, everyone looks like hell on those videos, no matter how attractive they are. And I don't want to "invite" people into my home, even though it's clean and I don't have anything to be ashamed of.

I just HATE the whole idea of it and I am not even really sure why, just that I do. I am fortunate so far in that it's not mandated.

[dawg day]

1. I do zoom, but hate the sight of me.😉

One of the benefits of working remotely should be that you don't need to do your hair or makeup.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Also, you don't have to wear pants.

[smirkymonkey]

5. Yes, that's another thing. I don't want to have to put on makeup and get dressed for a zoom

call. Especially first thing in the morning. I don't wear a huge amount, just enough to make it look like I have some lashes and an eyeline. A little lip pencil and stick and few brush strokes of bronzer and that's it.

The think is NOBODY looks good on those calls, even with makeup and superior genetics. Those photos are just so unflattering to everyone. I know this is a pathetic 1st world complaint, but it also seems to me like the thin edge of the wedge in privacy invasion in this country. Don't be surprised if they will keep pushing for more.

[frazzled]

3. My spouse has been doing nonstop Zoom meetings

and everyone uses video with audio. He begins teaching next week (college professor) so video essential. Hearing a disembodied voice would sort of creep me; it’s not a telephone call, and it might seem a teeny bit antisocial.

You don’t have to look bad. Lighting is the most important element, so play around with different lighting that flatters your undoubtedly attractive face. Distance from the screen and angle of screen also matters. Lastly, choose a good background.

As for your expressions, well, I guess you just have to keep them in check. (I have same problem, but if I really try, I can control the eyeball rolling.)

[dawg day]

6. I bite my lip a lot.

A client suggested I stop the conference and get some chapstick!

[gratuitous]

4. We've been doing Sunday services on Zoom

It's good to see the other congregants, including some of the former volunteers we supported when they tune in from Germany and Norway. I don't know if it would be different with co-workers, but I like seeing the folks from church.

[Skittles]

7. audio, I won't do visual

why do we need to be seen? F that

[smirkymonkey]

13. Amen, Skittles!

F that!

[Cicada]

8. Be careful about video conference add on software

The head of People for the American Way added in some video enhancing software as part of her preparation for working from home. Somehow she made her video image appear to be a talking potato. She doesn’t know how she did that and she can’t figure out how to stop appearing to be a talking potato. Her associates find it hilarious but she does not. So be careful! Appearing to be a talking potato is not funny!

[sakabatou]

9. My older brother and dad are

My mom, a CPA, and my oldest brother, a lawyer, have to go into work.

[roscoeroscoe]

10. Video eats up bandwidth

Usually just our team lead turns on video

[Phentex]

11. I uncovered my camera for a video meeting...

mind you it's been covered for god knows how long and I didn't think about residue on the lens.

So there I was in a Zoom meeting looking like a fog of colors wondering if I was supposed to hit some setting or another to show up. Then I tried cleaning the camera and I started to slowly appear but it was too gummy to get all of it off and I just looked worse.

No, I don't plan on video conferencing that way again any time soon.

[targetpractice]

12. I have a theory about this...

... I hate how I look in photos and video.. And, I think I realized that it's because cameras are not reflecting a mirror image... I think we are all comfortable looking at ourselves in a mirror, but the mirror image is reversed as to how others or cameras see us. So when looking at yourself in a photo or video... Your image seems uncanny, not you imagine yourself to look. Most folks faces are not perfectly symmetrical... So seeing yourself how others see us is unsettling. That's just my theory about this.

[whistler162]

14. Zoom and meet sessions

Meet mostly training sessions for teachers, I am a tech so I want to keep up as much as possible. Video and audio mostly off. Some support sessions through Meet.

Zoom with my main boss, a state agency, and one head of a district's tech department.

Fun fun fun.....

[Shrek]

15. We use Microsoft Teams

I've been working from home full-time since 2012 so nothing much has changed for me.

Video is optional and I've noticed that the people who aren't accustomed to working remotely seem to use it more often. I think it's helping to ease their sense of isolation.