10 awkward things about video calls

You, like me, are probably spending a lot of time in video calls...

With a quarter of the world now in lockdown, the video conference is fast replacing the in-person meeting. And whatever your seniority, the associated technological – and social – challenges are proving to be a great leveller.

So, how many of these have you experienced over the last couple of weeks?

1.) The pre-chat:

When people are slowly joining the call and you’re stuck small-talking with one or two others and then having to repeat/summarise as more people join the call.

2.) The speaker test:

Can you hear me? Can you hear me? I don't think this is working...

3.) The dodgy Wi-Fi delay: 

When one participant’s screen freezes in a less-than flattering pose

4.) The shouter: 

When somebody feels they have to bellow to make themselves heard.

5.) Regrettable background noises: 

The toddler repeatedly screaming at the top of their lungs, or the dog suddenly barking at random things you can't see, whilst you’re trying to update people on the call.

6.) The multi-speak: 

When people talk over each other for extended periods before they realise there’s someone else is speaking at the same time.

7.) The invisible (wo)man: 

The participant who mysteriously keeps their video turned off, leaving a black square where their face should be... Probably for the best. They're probably on the loo or still in bed in their pyjamas...

8.) Weirdly precise meeting start times: 

When a company profile on Teams or Webex is so overloaded that you can’t get online at popular times, so you have to kick off your meeting at 11.07 instead of 11

The longwinded wrap-up: 

The challenge of ending a call when you have nowhere else to be. Saying ‘I’ve got to run’ doesn’t really cut it when everyone knows you’re working from home.

10.) The irresistible urge to wave goodbye at the end of the call.