Willow agrees!
The world is changing and there is plenty I don’t understand or know how to navigate.
Last week I had my first Zoom meeting with four other people. It was a business meeting. I found it awkward. I didn’t realize how much I rely on body language and looking into peoples eyes to understand what they are saying. From my perspective I was half blind.
I believe they were also at a disadvantage, however they were more experienced with the Zoom experience than I. They were also all younger than I. Perhaps the only disadvantage was my age. Like I said the world is changing, social cues are also changing, for instance I’ve never felt bullied by something someone wrote on Facebook.
Two of the people in the meeting, were obviously not interested in being there. Although they were the ones who requested the meeting they were disengaged. Maybe it was the hour (early).
Everyone was in a makeshift office, kitchen, bedroom or home office made to look impersonal, or professional as they have been taught, no personal pictures at your desk etc. A bright spot was when a dog barked, I made light of it, but it fell on deaf ears, they were gone to shut up the dog.
To be distant in such an environment is easy, to be engaged is difficult.
I failed at this first meeting. I am getting old. There are new ways I don’t understand. It’s unlikely, at my age, I will ever get it. That’s okay with me. I prefer my meeting face to face, even if it’s six feet apart.
And that’s coming from someone who doesn’t even really like the company of people.
Palliser Pass 
larrymuffin
Listen to Willow.
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underswansea
I always do. She has enough sense for the both of us.
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Jim R
That made me chuckle. I also prefer face to face. It’s all very weird stuff to get used to.
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underswansea
It really is weird stuff. I’d never heard about Zoom before Covid. Somebody is getting rich. 🙂
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Carol A. Hand
Ah, Bob, your description of your Zoom meeting made me laugh! Imagine having to learn how to use it to teach a class to a group of students, switching mid-semester, while their lives were turned upside down! We all survived, but I sure hope we will be able to meet face-to-face in the fall! 😂
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underswansea
Hi Carol, I am glad I made you laugh. I can’t imagine trying to teach or learn through a computer. However it may be the way of the future. Kids have grown up with computers, so maybe won’t be difficult, perhaps they will prefer it. The thing that got me more than anything was how much I rely on the information given by looking at body language and a person’s face and eyes.
I am glad you were able to teach the semester and it wasn’t canceled. I am sure you were able to influence and pass on knowledge to your students even under these strange circumstances. We evolve. I bet you evolved quick given the stakes.
Good to hear from you all the very best to you, your daughter and grandchildren. Take care. Bob
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Carol A. Hand
Sending my best wishes to you and your lovely family, too, Bob. 💜
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mountaincoward
I must admit, being a loner, I prefer non face-to-face meetings and can quite happily chat with people via a keyboard but I’m not great otherwise, e.g. phone calls and so on. In fact, I hate phones!
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underswansea
I don’t mind emails and texts. I keep it simple. This Zoom thing threw me.
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mountaincoward
Yeah I don’t mind those. I’m not sure how Zoom works – I just know everyone’s taken it up now they can’t visit people in person.
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underswansea
I think Covid is just a big conspiracy perpetrated by the Zoom guys. . . and also the plexiglass guys. Those two companies sure have beniffitted. 🙂 🙂 PS I hope you know I’m joking. Take care. Bob
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mountaincoward
and the hand sanitiser guys etc. I think a lot of companies have benefited
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