Stunt pineapple for work zoom meetings?

[Stronger76]

Light-hearted...
I'm just about to sign in to my very first online meeting. I'm in my kitchen/diner, dressed (well, not in pjs) and hair brushed. Took a look at myself via zoom to check if I was clear on the screen. Whirlwind clear-up of the kitchen followed, along with strategic placing of fruit bowl with pineapple...

Tell me what you've added/removed from your background before video calls!

Moved from bedroom with ceiling stars and planets that colleagues laughed at, into study with bookshelves, then moved all my most highbrow books into view strategically!

@Stronger76 have you watched the series Psych - a pineapple in every episode!

(looking out for the pineapple became almost as important as the plot by the end)

Just make sure the cat is locked out of the room... It was vaguely amusing at first, having various cats suddenly filling the screen, but you've had time to get your act together at this point, guys.
You know who you are...

I have found my people! I've been purposely moving my set up from its usual place to having the bookcase and houseplants on display behind me. Thought it was just me being odd .

Oh god, the meeting chair just announced a best background competition for next week...

All I've really done is move the clothes horse out of view!

I don't even bother to move the clothes horse any more.

I set up a bookshelf and lined all my favs neatly along the edge. I now look intelligent.
I've been strangely interested in checking out everyone's backgrounds on social media and Zoom meetings. I'm especially confused by those who intentionally make a video for YouTube or similar sites and seem to have no clue of the clutter behind them. I suppose we'll all feel better about our homes after this.

I've got decorators ladders and a large cardboard box behind me
I must try harder.

I just try and make sure there aren’t any overflowing bins and / or laundry baskets in view!

A best background competition? . What a fecking dweeb, Jesus...

I cleaned out and reorganized my bookshelf, which is my background now. The books are interspersed with some of my more tastefully framed family photos. I was considering putting my more high-brow books in optimum camera view, but decided that was a step too far.

i forgot during one meeting to move Big Ted off the bed so he appeared.

I have covered the "tasteful" art behind me, which will stay covered until this is over. maybe forever!

I'm fascinated by people's backgrounds. I have taken my inspiration from some of the talking heads on news programs. There are also YouTube videos now on looking good for Zoom meetings that cover all and sundry, including background.

I’m intrigued about people’s backgrounds and cannot believe what a shit tip some people’s houses are

Saying that, this often interests/ surprises me when people posts pics of their pets on MN how messy peoples houses are. Or selfies of outfits and they have really dusty, dirty mirrors.

Do you follow Innocent Smoothies on Facebook? They post a daily useless info thread on their Facebook feed that usually includes a work-related challenge. One of their best was suggesting you take a screenshot of one of your colleagues work stations (if they walk away from their desk at some point) and then set it as your own background and see how long it takes anyone to notice 😂

Actually moved rooms. Most of my conference calls are audio-only but I had one recently and took one look at the mess behind me and moved to a different, room.

(For context, I live at home and my spare room has been converted to an office but was being used as a storage room before so there is a lot of junk behind me)

I've moved my airing rack as that usually sits behind my desk. Other than that, no changes. We use Teams and it's been really boring since someone discovered how to change the background. I liked looking at everyone's houses!

Stunt pineapple

I've strategically placed my laptop onto a pile of cushions so that my background is fresh flowers and the bookcase.

I must now buy a pineapple for this purpose.

I usually move my wetsuit which is on a coat hanger, hanging from the rafters in my (wooden) garden office.
It can give a rather macabre first impression.

Do it.

I tuck my dear old one-eyed tiger under the covers, with a quick kiss first so he knows I don't really mean it

I’ve just moved house and have no pictures or curtains etc. When I’m on Zoom it looks like I’m in a prison cell!

I will have to buy a stunt pineapple 🍍🍍🍍

Decided I couldn't be bothered to clear up the mess on the shelf behind my screen so turned it round so it showed a blank wall. Then realised that it was showing up just how grubby that wall was, so hastily turned it back again and did a very quick tidy up (and yes, it did involve putting the more highbrow books on the shelf). Note to self: paint job urgently needed.