Etiquette trainer Lilian Woltering deals with business manners and sees that these are shifting due to video calling. “It gives a different palette. We still have to get used to it. You can see that people are developing more in this, but I am still surprised that people do not behave properly.”
According to her, it could be a form of rebellion. “But I always say: it’s just your job. People who don’t take their own image seriously during video calling are not taken seriously in their work either.”
Woltering finds it inappropriate that people turn off their camera during a meeting. “That’s not respectful. It happens a lot in meetings, with students attending lectures, and also homeschoolers. You really need that non-verbal communication. That’s more than half your impact and your eloquence.”
Camera position
In the book Video Calling Etiquette Marlous de Haan published today contains 75 tips for making good use of video calling. “What is your camera position, or how do you get into the picture? Does someone only see your nostrils?” Sound is also very important, as microphones often remain on unintentionally during a meeting. “Pay attention to the noises you make, before you know it you will be smacking into the microphone.”
With a little common sense, these are often blunders that you can prevent, but according to De Haan, people lack awareness. “You feel safe in your own home situation. Normally you don’t have to take into account what you do.”
According to the researcher who previously wrote a book about smartphone etiquette, that is the biggest problem. “When people meet up physically, they think a lot more about how they come across. We are more trained in that.”
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