RHODY LIFE

I prefer a piece of pizza

Posted 3/3/21

By now, anyone who has a smart phone, tablet or computer has probably participated in the media medium of a Zoom meeting. Those of us who were camera shy have had to get over this phobia to join others in a meeting that resembles the opening sequence of

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RHODY LIFE

I prefer a piece of pizza

Posted

By now, anyone who has a smart phone, tablet or computer has probably participated in the media medium of a Zoom meeting. Those of us who were camera shy have had to get over this phobia to join others in a meeting that resembles the opening sequence of “The Brady Bunch.”

One of my first considerations was where the meeting would take place. For those first few meetings, I sat in the comfy chair in the living room, laptop facing my way. However, background visuals of the dog scratching her butt, Hubby walking along wearing only a towel, (and thank God for that towel,) the wind blowing branches up against the picture window and my son coming in the front door and stomping his feet on the rug interfered with my participation in the meeting. I learned to find a quiet place at my computer in the spare room. However, family members would think nothing of barging in with a request and interrupting my participation. I finally settled on putting a “Meeting in Progress” sign on the door. On the wall behind me, inadvertently, hangs a motivational plaque. Decorated with beautiful yellow and blue flowers and some green ferns, it says “Let’s Stay Home.” The irony of this did not dawn on me until someone commented that the saying is perfect for those of us who are home because of the pandemic!

It took some doing to learn how to use Zoom, and many of my colleagues and friends have not yet mastered the learning curve. I tend to keep my microphone on mute unless I am talking. To talk I use a real hand wave, not the “hand wave” icon on Zoom. Because I have not seen anyone actually used this technique, I have yet to see if Zoom uses an actual hand wave, a skeletal hand wave or a cartoon have wave. There is so much more to experience using Zoom!

Most people do not mute their microphones, which has caused many faux pas moments. Man’s best friend, their dogs, often can be heard barking loudly at an imagined intruder. I am fortunate to have a dog that would not bark at strangers, and would allow me to be kidnapped and dragged away by my hair with nary a peep, but most normal dogs express their feelings by barking. They could be hungry, or crabby, or just looking for attention, but dogs tend to woof to their heart’s content, regardless of the twelve Zoom meeting participants who are held hostage by their yapping. Dog owners should definitely use the mute button.

Zoom meetings throw office etiquette out the door. Often, three or four people will start to speak at once. Then stop. Silence. “YOU go,” “No YOU go,” and then silence.

Then everyone talks at once again and the ritual is repeated. A half hour meeting has been extended to an hour and a half.

It has been humorous to attend meetings where someone has committed a faux pas. One lovely colleague of mine, without her mike on mute, was heard munching potato chips and slurping soda. In another person’s home, her husband could be seen vacuuming in the background wearing a headset and singing along to “YMCA” at the top of his lungs. Many people love ZOOM meetings because they can dress casually. I often wear a professional shirt and sweat pants. Sometimes I even go without wearing a bra as long as I position the camera to shoot above my chest. Gone are the days of wearing dresses and make-up.

Everyone must have his/her own witty tale of Zoom meetings gone wrong. Now that people do not have to travel to get to meetings, they may become a permanent fixture in the business and non-profit world. It is certainly more economical and time saving. I still prefer a nice, in person meeting where people can be friendly to each other and make small talk. I miss that congenial small talk, along with the donuts or muffins or pizza that would be served at an in-person meeting. Give me a piece of pizza over a Zoom meeting anytime.

Life Matters, pizza

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