My husband told me this morning that because of the proliferation of Zoom meetings sales of dress shirts were soaring without the usual accompanying purchase of trousers. He said this as he came upstairs to change his t-shirt into a button down dress shirt in time for his Zoom call. He left his Levis on. (As in he didn’t change them, not as if he might have gone without!)
I reflected on this phenomenon of what to wear when I was participating in my church’s Tuesday night Zoom Vespers service. The Friars, of course, could just don their usual brown robes with a rope waist tie. But we are not used to seeing people at home when we are at church. (As if that wasn’t self evident!) So I decided to change the shirt with remnants of lunch down the front in case my super Mac camera might share that stain with my parish. I remembered to brush my hair. Individual decisions about “dressing for church” were evident. One usually well groomed female singer sported a v-neck men’s white t-shirt. Another usually well groomed reader was just as polished as on any given Sunday.
Then there is the unintended Zoom photo bomb. At one point what looked like the rear end of a parishioner turned out to be a very, very close up of two of her fingers. Whew! Jennie had mentioned that Zoom was encountering some hacking, and I was relieved that this wasn’t an instance of that.
Since none of us are broadcasting from studios, few of us paid any attention to the decor behind us as we were Zoomed. My picture featured a brown recycling bag on the desk to my rear. Others never seemed to get the hang of things and kept showing their ceilings!
And, by the way. Does anyone else think that gallery view on Zoom is reminiscent of the old game show Hollywood Squares?
Saved By Words 
This made me laugh! I am starting to get used to connecting virtually though I have only used Webex so far, not Zoom. And I do pay attention to what I’m wearing and make sure I comb my hair before connecting. I have also taken comfort in the fact that almost nobody looks good in these apps, so we are in good company! 🙂
LikeLike
And double and triple chins seem to be abundant because of the camera angle. I recommend turtlenecks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah yes! Turtlenecks would help! 🙂
LikeLike
😄😄😄😄😂
LikeLike
John will have to use Zoom tomorrow for the first time. I will try to help him until he is where he ought to be. I’m glad you mentioned the background. I’ll be aware of that before we get started.
LikeLike
It is one of the most numerous aspects of this whole thing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘Modern Life’ considerations. No doubt people are tidying ‘lived-in’ houses, and perhaps even redecorating for this new audience. Check out Ron’s blog today, he was video-called by a nurse when wearing his underpants! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
I haven’t seen it yet. My husband hangs up a black sheet on the dining room wall for his meetings. Sadly the sheet is covered with dog hair kind of ruining the effect.
LikeLiked by 2 people
we’re having daily team meetings via Zoom – I am careful as it’s 9am and I am often still in my super comfy lounging pants – which some might call PJs! but yeah, that neck angle is NOT flattering.
LikeLike
Even our music director who is slim and lovely seemed to have three chins.
LikeLike
that makes me feel (superfillially) better, lol
LikeLike
I need to give that a try. I knew a lady who’s husband worked from home, wore a shirt and tie, but pajama bottoms all day.
LikeLike
Just be careful no one walks behind you on the way to the shower.(not naming any names)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know if you saw the one of the Brady Bunch that’s been making the rounds. It is supposed to represent a Zoom meeting. Hollywood Squares also fits that 3 x 3 model.
LikeLike
No. I will look for it.
LikeLike
You can change the background. Our music tutor ran our first meeting last week from Hawaii, wearing an eponymous shirt and palm trees behind him.
LikeLike
That is a great idea. I will explore my options and totally confuse my fellow parishioners. Maybe I could broadcast from Jerusalem!
LikeLike
Just about to join our first Zoom creative writing meeting. Wish me luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wait to hear how it went.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Variable success – mostly depending on the equipment of the person joining – but I’ve sent out the notes and a couple who couldn’t make it or dropped off the internet this time will try next month. (I think one or two were just happy to talk to someone.)
People warmed up as we went on; it was very informal and the next best thing to sitting around a table having a chat. And we got to see Val’s ENORMOUS puppy when he came to see who she was talking to.
LikeLike
This made me laugh – especially the near-photo bomb! Zoom does have its challenges but I use it for a weekly check-in with friends on the weekend and we all look forward to it.
LikeLike
I am trying to put some humor into my writing. So much is so terribly depressing and I don’t want to add to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was so funny! I know exactly what you mean. I’ll be dusting and straightening the house today in preparation for our Zoom tomorrow morning. Let’s hope the password keeps out any Bombers.
LikeLike
The Times actually had a fun article today about getting to see into all these reporters homes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
I couldn’t stop laughing as I read your post 🙂 Just today we read in newspapers about Zoom being hacked. Todd Tyrtle, four others and myself had a book club meeting on Sunday through Zoom. A nice experience.
LikeLike
I gave money to Todd’s charity because I can’t wait to see him cook something from a random basket. His video of his 30 pushups was really funny. Glad I gave you a few laughs too. We all need them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
One of my friends rolls around the floor and points the phone any which way, quite oblivious. Fun times!
LikeLike
So glad it wasn’t hacked! Yes, I remember Hollywood squares! We had that show here in Australia too.
Bless you,
Jennifer
LikeLike
Another reader said it also looks like the opening of “The Brady Bunch.”
LikeLiked by 1 person