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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

A friend accused me of being snoopy during Zoom/Teams meetings

303 replies

IknowIch · 15/02/2021 15:24

I am long-term MN NC user.
English second language.

So to get on with it, I expressed to a friend I judge colleagues' background (e.g. type of wall paper, paint colour, decor, etc) during Zoom/Teams meetings, such as a laptop not on a desk or senior staff members with no home libraries or dedicated workspace.

Am I the only one who snoops into other's houses during meetings?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
garlicwhorl · 15/02/2021 15:24

wtf has a home library Confused

NeverDropYourMoonCup · 15/02/2021 15:27

@garlicwhorl

wtf has a home library Confused
A bookcase with delusions of grandeur.
TinyCake · 15/02/2021 15:27

I have a book shelf does that count as a home library.

I deliberately ignore anything I see in the background as I feel awkward invading their privacy and I know its not always possible to set up the laptop in the nicest bit of the house!

TinyCake · 15/02/2021 15:28

Unless its a cat or a dog. Then I go ooooh

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 15/02/2021 15:28

A home library!?

EarringsandLipstick · 15/02/2021 15:28

And this is why I use the blur function on Teams & Zoom calls.

Stop judging why people don't have certain backgrounds or are working from random parts of their homes.

AOwlAOwlAOwl · 15/02/2021 15:28

I have a home library.

But I don't do zoom calls for work in it.

I think everyone is a bit nosy about colleagues' houses aren't they? I know I am. But I think most people now either blur their background or deliberately sit in front of neutrally decorated walls. Unless it's someone I know well, I will do the same. I don't want strangers/work colleagues picking up details about my home life.

AndreaMartelsCoat · 15/02/2021 15:29

You sound lovely.

JemimaTiggywinkle · 15/02/2021 15:29

Assume you mean home office rather than home library?

But absolutely, surely everyone judges colleagues homes? I think the trick is to secretly judge though...

ComDummings · 15/02/2021 15:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SkySmiler · 15/02/2021 15:32

Yep you're snoopy and judgemental

SmileyClare · 15/02/2021 15:32

I don't think you can be accused of being snoopy, unless you mean this fella?

I think it's human nature to look at your colleague's surroundings and think Yuk horrible wallpaper or something. There's only an issue if you're judging them harshly and gossiping about them and not concentrating on your Zoom call

Do you have a home library as your back drop? I've noticed all the "experts" talking on BBC news have books artfully arranged behind their heads.

A friend accused me of being snoopy during Zoom/Teams meetings
ShirleyPhallus · 15/02/2021 15:33

Of course I snoop on zoom calls, it is the most interesting bit about it

SmileyClare · 15/02/2021 15:33

Sorry this fella

A friend accused me of being snoopy during Zoom/Teams meetings
LubaLuca · 15/02/2021 15:34

I zoom from the privy because my home library is nobody's goddamned business.

HarrietSchulenberg · 15/02/2021 15:34

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

JohnMcCainsDeathStare · 15/02/2021 15:35

I have one - my home library is also a random Warhammer 40K mini/video game repository/ dust bunny farm. But then we have 100's of books and some actual fiction.

brunetteonthebus · 15/02/2021 15:35

Hahah if you judged ours you'd think we had a 'home library'. In reality, we have a study/home office and behind the desk happens to be be a big bookcase. It's from IKEA though, from a distance it just looks wooden.

If you could see to the sides you'd see the slightly less respectable old school collection of cheesey DVDs that I really need to get rid of it have never got round to.

You are being a snoop! Pack it in.

Womencanlift · 15/02/2021 15:37

This is why I very rarely put my camera on. I wouldn’t want people especially snoopy judgemental ones like the OP having any thoughts on my home.

How my home does or does not look like makes no difference on how I can do my job

MadeOfStarStuff · 15/02/2021 15:37

YABU and very rude

It’s normal to be a bit curious about parts of peoples lives we don’t normally see but downright nasty to judge them on it in the way you’re doing!

NailsNeedDoing · 15/02/2021 15:38

Most people will have a look at peoples backgrounds, that doesn’t mean that they will judge others for not having a desk or a library.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 15/02/2021 15:38

I can see why you ncd😂

AryaStarkWolf · 15/02/2021 15:39

I agree with your friend

Womencanlift · 15/02/2021 15:39

I also have many colleagues working from their bed as that’s the only place they can (shared house with flatmates/need to be alone for confidentiality purposes)

I can only think what judgements you would make about them OP

tabulahrasa · 15/02/2021 15:40

I have 5 full height bookcases full of books... but you can’t see them from where I usually sit for zoom meetings. Sometimes I sit in my dining room, because I know it’s going to be long and boring and I can make coffee at the same time...sometimes I sit in my living room because I’m cold and it’s warmer there...

So unless they’re actually wondering round their house it’s quite hard to judge what people do or don’t have tbh.