Zoom Call Observations/Embarrassments

MadMaxMFP01

What things have you noticed in the background on zoom calls? What embarrassing things have happened?

chuckle_bunny

I'm embarrassed to admit I took screenshots of our legal assistant Kelsey when she wore a zebra print tank top on a Zoom call this past summer. 😧

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woollenmonarch

I didn’t wear pants and had just boxers and had to get up and fix the mic that seemed like it wasn’t properly inserted in the usb area and while I was at it my crotch was on close-up in the webcam

Vikka_V

We had a zoom "family Christmas" - and what I noticed is that when family are at their own homes instead of gathered together at someones home, they make less effort(?) to look like they want to be "there"?

Like facial expressions looked bored, distracted, just "off" somehow.

tbf I often am bored and distracted at social gatherings - but I think I hide it better in person...hopefully

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amorfati601070

Nothing that funny. One of mine was kind of awkward though. I had to this verbal exam (interview), I think they were doing this to get people to avoid cheating or looking at notes for the remote subjects. The assessor wanted me to show the room and area on webcam, just because they wanted to see if we had notes or anything placed around it. I didn't use my room because I don't concentrate as well when I'm using it for work related purposes. Anyway, I just forgot about the giant bong and beer bottles in the corner of the room (sharehouse) so I was trying to avoid showing it on camera somehow lol but he would have seen it. I didn't know they were actually gonna do that haha, but I passed it and it actually went pretty smooth so no worries!

SabAteNine

I had a whole year of daily endless strings of Zoom for both work as well as teaching, since we moved all senior and masters classes fully online. Classes are in the afternoon. I had to train myself to close the camera when getting up to turn the lights on because boxers and shorts > anything else.

My glasses are also quite reflective as it turns out, and if you look carefully you can see things like the beer can next to the laptop when I'm spotlighted (of course, beer goes in the coffee cup - duh). Or the fact that I do not really give a flying one and look at something else. For long and boring zoom days, I have learned my lesson and wear contacts.

tmanfive

I make it a habit to only join meetings in the following way to prevent embarrassing stuffs…

First, dial into the audio bridge on my phone.
Secondly, join the video from my laptop which I keep electrical tape over the built in camera and mic.

I always join using my Linux computer which is not managed by IT so settings like camera and mic are always disabled.

One time I had to work from my IT managed laptop. I joined exactly like I normally did. Settings are not persistent and the video and sound were on.

I was caught running around the pool, soaking wet, in only my swim trunks, chasing chickens away from the pool deck. I was on the far side of the pool from my laptop and phone so naturally I dove into the pool to swim back over to the lounge and computer.

Yep, they all watched and listened to that.

I’m more careful now but I say hey, if we can have very direct and to the point “not here, not now, not ever” discussions about this, that, or the other then they should not blush at seeing me in my trunks.

🤨 come to think of it though it was the middle of the work day… and I was swimming instead or working… nah, that’s why I hate my job but stick around because no one batted an eye and it was pretty epic.

There are sone other FBR things I’ve done too. Like taking the call on the road, saying something like “hold on. IT pushed an update and my laptop rebooted” then the truck yells out in her sexy truck voice “The speed limit is 45 miles per hour”.

snowflake954

Funny. We were invited to a graduation party (med school) Saturday night. One of the guys there has been smart working since COVID started in Italy. He refuses to return to the office. He wears sweats when doing Zoom with his office so he showed us the image he puts up on his computer---Brad Pitt in a tux. It's a stitch. This guy is so far from Brad that it's hilarious.

SuzySunshine99

I was in a meeting and one of the participants abruptly turned his camera off and typed in the chat, "BRB...bird in house."
When he finally came back, he explained that a bird had flown into his house when his son opened the door so he had to go deal with it.

We all agreed he should have left his camera and mic on...it would have added some excitement to an otherwise dull meeting.

BraydanTaffy

Nothing too embarrassing.

I did a Webex interview wearing a proper button-down shirt & suit jacket. When I needed to reach too far away for my calendar to check availability for a follow-up, I briefly, half-stood up & caught a flash of my pink running shorts in the camera. It feels necessary to dress that way, since I have to turn off the a/c so the noise isn't distracting. I know she saw it, cuz out of the corner of my eye, I saw her eyes widen, but I just pretended it didn't happen & carried on.

I can't be the only one that happened to... I've heard others say they wear a nice top for web meetings with PJ bottoms. Now I wear long, black, yoga pants for a web interview, just in case I need to get up or my camera tilts & my legs can be seen & pull everything closer to me, so I'm better prepared.

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Jruzer

I saw someone get up on a company-wide call and attend to something across the room - wearing a pair of boxers. Oops!

BraydanTaffy

This thread reminds me that I've heard more that's a tad shocking or embarrassing, rather than seeing anything. I'm looking for work, so all of my experience via Webex is for interviews. Perhaps that's why I'm so careful, as well, since if I make a visual mistake too unforgiveable, I won't get hired.

In my experience, unmuted mics have made me blush a few times.

I've heard far too many out of control, barking dogs... screaming children... but moreover, I've had several interviewers excuse themselves for a moment, forget to mute, then begin screaming rather harsh language, complete with NSFW words, either at kids or dogs.

That's why I like wearing a suit jacket for any web appearance... it reminds me to remain in biz mode.