AIBU video calls are horrible!

[Phoxinusphoxinus]

Why do people use video calls so much? What is wrong with just chatting on the phone? I have just been video called by someone who is driving! What possible benefit can a video call make in that situation?

During the pandemic I used video calls with a few groups of people to stay in touch. These calls were planned so I was dressed and looking ok. It now seems some people just can't stop doing them and I hate them!!! A phone call fine but stop with the video calls.

Am I being unreasonable?

10000% agree. Bane of my life. My in-laws love them and DH doesn't understand why, when sat on sofa relaxing in my PJs, I might not want a camera shoved in my face makes me so cross!

I hate being called out of the blue when it's straight on to a video call. It feels intrusive! (Like a friend turning up at the front door with no advance warning.) Don't mind it if they ring or text first. Or ring and then we mutually decide to go to camera. But I suspect this is a terribly old-fashioned attitude.

I agree, I need to do them for work, I don’t like it. And everyone just stares at themselves.

Video calling when driving? How dangerous!!
I dislike video calls too it feels intrusive and uncomfortable

Yes at work I am fed up with everyone who used to be happy with a phone call now demanding zoom or teams. For a group call fine but for a one to one call what is wrong with the telephone?

I absolutely hate them.

Fucking despise them too!

Looking at this thread, I’m feeling glad I’m not alone. It’s pretty close to a phobia for me, but then I’m not a big fan of any kind of cameras.

I like video calls! Only people I want to speak to call me though 🤣 I like being able to see people's face when we're talking. The dc find it easier to talk to their grandparents. All my friends and family know what I look like so I don't feel pressure to look 'good' - I just look how I look!

I don't like them at all

I’m ok when they are planned but hate them when they don’t check first. I usually decline them if not been agreed in advance or turn my camera off.

I also don't particularly like video calls, if they are planned and agreed that's not as bad but if not then i wouldn't really like it. Luckily none of my family or friends tend to video call but i have had to do a few video calls for other things. I think alot of people don't like doing them.

I only use video at work, and once or twice with a family group call. I find you concentrate more during a phone call, and it feels more intimate. Video is not, I feel, a good substitute for F2F. The only good thing for video over phone consultation at work is that I can share my screen with patients, so they can see pictures I want to show them, whereas on the phone I have to describe it.
F2F or phone, all the way for me!

I love video calls! One of my friendship groups has kept them in the mostly-post pandemic world because before we'd just have a group chat and now we have a virtual video catchup every couple of weeks. And I pretty much exclusively video call my family and have done for years, we like being able to see each other.

I can see if you're not happy with how you look or aren't comfortable calling without being properly made up/dressed up that it wouldn't be fun, though. Clearly me and my pyjama calls have low standards

My IL's do one most nights with DP, I leave the room

They are bang out of order.

@balonzette snap, the in laws seem to think I just don't want to talk to them when actually I just don't want them looking at me with dinner all down my top whilst I talk to them. My DM doesn't have a smart phone and I couldn't be happier about that.