To find it weird people Zoom from their bed?

[AliceinBunnyland]

I have been on a number of Zoom calls, mostly work related, but also with friends and groups I'm part of.

With work, most people seem to dial in from a desk or table. Sometimes even the garden.

On the others I've seen people propped up on their bed, which includes in a work quiz and a group meeting where I hadn't "met" or spoken to a few of the other people before. If it was just friends I'd find it less strange.

Not a big deal and not having a go, just interested.

I think working from home has meant that many of us see into one another's homes when we wouldn't usually.

Once or twice I've had to have work calls from my bed - not ideal, but in these circumstances as long as you're not actually lying in bed I think it's ok.

It’s often the only quiet, private space.

I had a student do a tutorial in the communal shower cubicles in her student halls. Obviously she was fully dressed but it was strange.

Not everyone is privileged enough to have separate spaces for ‘work’ and ‘home’ within their house. I use the desk in our bedroom if I’m doing video calls for work but I’ll happily use my bed if I’m talking to friends. My children are downstairs watching TV and messing around and DH might be using the dining table, so way too much distraction down there.

Do you really find it that difficult to comprehend that space and privacy is an issue for so many people and they are doing the best they can? You sound really judgemental and entitled to be honest.

I had a student do a tutorial in the communal shower cubicles in her student halls. Obviously she was fully dressed but it was strange

Yes a little strange.

Do you really find it that difficult to comprehend that space and privacy is an issue for so many people and they are doing the best they can?

It's just a discussion. No need for the attitude.

I know some people who Zoom from their bed live alone so interested why they wouldn't use the living room, kitchen or dining room over their bed.

I am a teacher and do staff zoom meetings sitting on my bed. You wouldn't know it was my bed if I didn't tell you. We only have one desk in our house and DH uses it as he needs it more for his WFH. We have a table downstairs but it is open plan and the kids are around. It doesn't seem fair to banish them to their rooms when I can just as easily do my meeting from sitting on my bed.

It's just a discussion. No need for the attitude.

Hardly an attitude; just incredulous that you can’t understand why people would do this.

@WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat

I find Zoom meetings from the bath the most awkward - but strangely addictive.

There's the risk of exposing bits you don't mean to and the constant excitement / fear that the power supply will fall into the bath.

Top tip: always keep a couple of flannels handy for emergency cover-ups if the bubbles disappear.

I’d be worried about farting if zooming from the bath. You could probably get away with it on the sofa but you cannot fart quietly in a bath.

Hardly an attitude; just incredulous that you can’t understand why people would do this.

I understand some of the reasons why people do this I.e. lack of space and the bedroom is the only space.

I know some of the people who do it could probably use other rooms as they live alone so I assume they must have other reasons. Nothing wrong with discussing that on an Internet forum to hear different views.

Yes you did have an attitude but I won't take it personally. Maybe find another thread if this one is upsetting you.

With friends and family, almost anything goes.

With work, maybe it depends what job you do as well, in how professional a setting you usually work in? I work in a professional office setting where people wear suits so maybe it feels more off when people are almost lying on their bed in joggers for a team meeting.

Odd, not off

The bedroom is the only quiet place. DH is downstairs in the living room with screaming toddlers and the kitchen-diner is right next door to the noise. Never occurred to me that people would find it weird for me to sit on the bed. Now I’m wondering if they’re freaked out.

Now I’m wondering if they’re freaked out.

Probably not. I suspect I'm overthinking being uptight

I have massive cushion (with arms) that supports me when I sit on the bed to work.
That would not work on the sofa.
it probably looks just as unprofessional sat on bed or sofa really with a laptop on lap. (Compared to a desk with webcam)
For more formal meetings, I have propped up laptop so use eye level with me. (On an upturned Washing basket)
You can't do that on the sofa either.

I have made sure the actual bed is not visible, but have had do quite a few Zoom meetings and even some teaching from my bed.

4 adults in this smallish house, 3 of them working from home, one of whom made a lot of noise (drama rehearsals and vocal exercises which sometimes makes them sound like they are being strangled, sometimes like they are reaching the point of ecstasy in a particularly steamy love tryst).

Can't use the garden as gardens are very small around here and some information may be confidential. Hearing the neighbour's children playing and the neighbours having loud conversations would also be distracting. Also, building works have been going on in at least 2 neighbouring houses during lockdown, and lawn mowers are also quite loud.

Then it's a question of my back: we have only got the space for one office chair and that is used by dh who does a lot of data input on the big computer. In bed I can sit up against the wall, not so easy elsewhere.

In my job, wearing a suit is entirely voluntary and many people don't own one. I only use mine if I give a talk elsewhere. On the other hand, ensuring non-distracting environment where people can speak safely without fear of overhearing is absolutely essential.

I’d be worried about farting if zooming from the bath. You could probably get away with it on the sofa but you cannot fart quietly in a bath

@SerenDippitty you just tell them it’s a jacuzzi, but you’re having issues with the jets!

I was tempted. A two hour zoom showed me just how hard our dining chairs are!! Fine for dinner when Im getting up at intervals to get things but not great for sitting still!!

I do Teams meetings from my bed sometimes. If I'm knackered my manager encourages it. Different strokes for different folks?? I do have great bedding though.

Different strokes for different folks??

Yes, exactly.

I did a webinar recently and at the start they did a poll about where people were watching it from. 2% did say bed, so seems it does happen.

I am on my sofa, though I do have a small laptop desk.

2% did say bed, so seems it does happen.

Interesting but I bet the real number was more than 2%

If they are in their PJs and look like they have just woken up... why not pop on a virtual background? I sometimes take meetings sitting my my bed if DH and ds are on calls (to get some peace and quite). I never use the camera or pop on a virtual backdrop.

Some people are dead straightforward and "it is what it is" too. They don't try and fake anything else. We work on the bed sometimes when it's the best option available. I've got colleagues that won't have the camera on at all on because they find it exhausting having to look perky and attentive for that long, or they're breastfeeding right now, or cuddling a sulky toddler, or they did all their work tasks perfectly from dawn this morning, as well as most of the childcare and home schooling and housework, including booking a supermarket delivery on the loo. AND they've even worked out - but they haven't had a shower or brushed their hair yet.

(That last one is me)

I do sometimes when my back is tired from hours sitting on a kitchen chair. Only do it for informal meetings, though!

I know some people who Zoom from their bed live alone so interested why they wouldn't use the living room, kitchen or dining room over their bed.

maybe they are tired of sitting in that same chair in the same room all day and just want to be anywhere else for a while. maybe the light is better. maybe there is something noisy outside the window of the other room.

1. we don't have a garden

2. we don't have a dining room, a desk, or a table

3. we are in a very, very tiny flat, my room is my sanctuary

I do most things from my room.