Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
In the times of the pandemic, virtual communication has become an integral part of our daily lives. Zoom has recently stated that the platform has a whopping 300 million daily meeting participants, which has soared from 10 million back in December. Similarly, Microsoft has recorded 200 million meeting participants in a single day, and Google Meet hit over 100 million daily users.
At this point, we all know very well that not everything is what it seems when you’re connecting in the comfort of your home. So when a scientist named Gretchen Goldman shared a revealing snap of her actual Zoom call background, it was bound to go viral. The caption stated: “Just so I'm being honest,” and the tweet amassed 282.5k likes and 30.6k retweets.
Sooner than we knew it, many others also decided to share what their colleagues and interviewers on the other side of the screen don’t get to see. The pics are both painfully relatable and funny to look at, and it’s a fair reminder that nailing the effortlessly cool video call setup is kinda a form of art.
Image credits: GretchenTG
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
RELATED:
#2
ispeak catanese 5 years ago
*rummages in his kitchen for the bottle opener*
Load More Replies...
Tiny Dynamine 5 years ago
I don't really get why people have such a thing about wearing trousers indoors.
Tired-Panda 5 years ago
Haha I only wear pj bottoms when I'm at home. I'm dressing for comfort and myself rather than to impress anyone or look smart!
Load More Replies...
Bob Belcher 5 years ago
That's me everyday at work. Just add fussy slippers to keep my feet warm.
#3
Nadine Bamberger 5 years ago
No one would ever pay attention to you ever again because PUPPIES!
Kimberley Thomas 5 years ago
Thought I was looking at some weird shoes until I noticed the collars.
SoozeeQ 5 years ago
Those little puppies seem very young to have collars on. And the mother is not wearing one. I know the owner is probably using it to identify the pups (especially if she's a breeder and will sell them off later), but still. A friend of mine who breeds guide dogs, paints a dab of nail polish on each tail. It's non-toxic and will wash off eventually and there are different colours for each dog. To me this seems a much better idea than putting collars around such tiny necks, while they are too young to leave their mother.
Monday 5 years ago
Collars are less of a problem the younger the pups are. An active puppo running around could get the collar stuck on something and get hurt, but for little beans like those it's harmless since they're incapable of doing anything to it. If you're gonna argue against collars, this is the wrong approach.
Load More Replies...
The worldwide pandemic has clearly changed the ways we communicate on a daily basis, and video calls have been a part of this. However, as video conferencing platforms continue to boom, more and more users have been reporting feeling worn-out and tired. There’s now even a slang term “Zoom fatigue” which refers to this newly occurring phenomenon.
Andrew Franklin, an assistant professor of cyberpsychology at Virginia’s Norfolk State University, told National Geographic that “There's a lot of research that shows we actually really struggle with this.” He thinks people may be surprised at how difficult they’re finding video calls given that the medium seems neatly confined to a small screen and presents few obvious distractions.
#4
Melissa Sawicki 5 years ago
Love the Siamese Cats. Hopefully they aren't "Chatty" while you are in a meeting. Anyone who has or had a Siamese Catto knows they are one of the most Chatty Cat Breeds. Beautiful
Iffydust 5 years ago
Chatty? You mean screaming? 😅😂 My boys scream only and alot
Load More Replies...
Daniele Ribolla 5 years ago
I've seven, fosters and breed, two of first kind rescued from death, literally. we are "any-animal" fan family.
#5
Monday 5 years ago
that might just be a tall lamp with the shade removed and an umbrella stuck to it.
Load More Replies...
M O'Connell 5 years ago
They make tablet-sized mounts for tripods. They're like $8.
Load More Replies... 
#6
Leopoldo Pisanello 5 years ago
Bare-footed with that lego just lying around? That's an accident waiting to happen...
Dragonfruit'nrollerskates 5 years ago
Is it just me or does this look a bit staged? no offense to her.
Catlady6000 5 years ago
Me too. It's almost like she just poured the Legos out just for this pic. Hope she remembers they are there
Load More Replies...
April Smith 5 years ago
I feel like we should make shoe bottoms out of LEGOs. That way when we accidentally step on more LEGOs, we don't end up with bruised feet, we just get taller.
Taylor Watt 5 years ago
I feel bad for that lady. Bet 10 seconds after her zoom meeting ends she steps on them and starts wishing she never bought them 😰🥺
It turns out that, even though in theory, video calls are designed to be smooth and efficient, in reality, they do demand increased effort and concentration from their users. For example, the participant has to pay much more attention to the words uttered, which makes it hard for people who’re dependent on non-verbal communication cues.
The second challenge of video calls has to do with the fact that it requires simultaneous focus on multiple screens. Franklin said that “we’re engaged in numerous activities, but never fully devoting ourselves to focus on anything in particular.”
Parallel conversations are also impossible in this virtual setting. Simultaneously, we often find multiple people talking over the teacher at the same time, which can feel overwhelming to the listeners. As a result, for many of us, the mental load of attending packed conferences may be harder than we’d think.
#7
Hilary Mol 5 years ago
I feel like I'm looking at three different people with this one outfit.
#8
#9
Taylor Watt 5 years ago
You can’t lie, you see the panda in the back watching you with this beady eyes, waiting to be played with. 😂🥳;;
#10
#11
Katinka Min 5 years ago
If you are selfemployed, you are hardly ever on a pure vacation.
Load More Replies...
Anja Schmidt 5 years ago
i have the same spotlight circle from wish - it´s a super product for few money! would have loved to see the final pic
#12
Maria Vasilieva 5 years ago
I bought nice standing desk add on before pandemic. After the door lock (so I can escape from my kids), It's my best purchase for the home office
SoozeeQ 5 years ago (edited)
I bought a kid's lap tray from a local craft store for a friend who had her knee replaced, to use in bed while she recovered. But she already had one, so I kept it. And then COVID it. It's been a perfect boost for my Zoom meetings, and if I need a bit of extra height, I just add a large dictionary. Not quite as good as a standing desk, or the pic above, but it does the trick.
Load More Replies... Mark Johansen 5 years ago
Are those college textbooks? If so, that laptop stand costs about $1000.
#13
Bob Belcher 5 years ago
I have a coworker that does this. I enjoy it because she has a nice backyard and every now and then I see he dogs running. I live for the dogs
Load More Replies...
Maria Vasilieva 5 years ago
Looks like an apartment, otherwise why would you store your bike on a balcony
#14
Stille20 5 years ago
I can't imagine the people who are balancing young children and working from home. One of my friends has said it's hard but he secretly loves when he hears his kids come charging toward his "office".
Lynda Gutierrez 5 years ago
My son and DIL did it for six months with a 3 year old and a baby -- they finally gave in and put the kids back in daycare when my son had to return to the office -- there was no way my DIL could handle both her job and two little ones at once.
Load More Replies... 
Leslea Freeman 5 years ago
Good way to have your kid choke on the cap. Once it is off it is hard to get back from inside of the mouth.
#15
#16
#17
Kimberley Thomas 5 years ago
Thought the little one was the white stuffed animal until I saw the waving arm.
#18
Katie YoureOnKatieCam 5 years ago
Exact same thought. Seriously Americans, come on. If someone posted this in the UK (and hopefully a lot of other places) the police would be giving you a little visit
Load More Replies... Bill 5 years ago
I don't think she understands the risk of LEAD exposure. She should read up on storage and handling of ammo.
Jackson Gohn 5 years ago
Those rounds will offer you zero exposure to lead. That's what nickel plated means.
Load More Replies... 
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Your Local Lizard 5 years ago
Ive seen a guy with a green screen in a meeting. He forgot to turn it on.
Johnny 5 years ago
I just use Zoom backgrounds to hide my home. It works pretty well, even when my wife walks behind me to pick up paper from the printer, she doesn't appear in the background.
Cori 5 years ago
Yep. I 'attend' an online math class from 11- noon, Monday- Thursday, on Big Blue Button (think Zoom with just the microphone). Yesterday I had to apologize to my classmates for the pig and the screaming toddler. It's pure chaos at my house. 🤦♀️
ispeak catanese 5 years ago
I love the mess and clutter in their homes, it looks like places they enjoy.
Onion rings like to make your breath smelly 5 years ago
My house is so messy. my brother who is smaller than 10 throws his clothes on the ground and leaves toys and trash everywhere. thats why i always make my camera looking above my shoulders so they can only see the ceiling and piano mostly
Matthew Smith 5 years ago
Makes me wonder all those people who appear on TV news what are they wearing and what room there are in.
Mewton’s Third Paw 5 years ago
Same! They always look so put together but you’re only seeing a slice of life.
Load More Replies... Mewton’s Third Paw 5 years ago
Living with kids is a special kind of misery. All of the places with toys looked so dreary and sad.
Your Local Lizard 5 years ago
Ive seen a guy with a green screen in a meeting. He forgot to turn it on.
Johnny 5 years ago
I just use Zoom backgrounds to hide my home. It works pretty well, even when my wife walks behind me to pick up paper from the printer, she doesn't appear in the background.
Cori 5 years ago
Yep. I 'attend' an online math class from 11- noon, Monday- Thursday, on Big Blue Button (think Zoom with just the microphone). Yesterday I had to apologize to my classmates for the pig and the screaming toddler. It's pure chaos at my house. 🤦♀️
ispeak catanese 5 years ago
I love the mess and clutter in their homes, it looks like places they enjoy.
Onion rings like to make your breath smelly 5 years ago
My house is so messy. my brother who is smaller than 10 throws his clothes on the ground and leaves toys and trash everywhere. thats why i always make my camera looking above my shoulders so they can only see the ceiling and piano mostly
Matthew Smith 5 years ago
Makes me wonder all those people who appear on TV news what are they wearing and what room there are in.
Mewton’s Third Paw 5 years ago
Same! They always look so put together but you’re only seeing a slice of life.
Load More Replies... Mewton’s Third Paw 5 years ago
Living with kids is a special kind of misery. All of the places with toys looked so dreary and sad.
Related on Bored Panda
