I Hate Video Chatting

In the past few weeks, I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all been calling our friends a lot more than we usually do. With everyone in the country being quarantined, there’s not much else to do but scroll through social media and find any way to talk to your friends. FaceTime and Zoom have become incredibly more useful than we ever could’ve dreamed — and I hate it. 

I have never been one for FaceTime calls — this was obvious to me the first time I ever used the app. Sure, I don’t mind them if my friend and I have something to talk about, or the call lasts about five minutes. However, if someone calls me just to call me, I would rather just stop them right there. Having someone else lingering on my screen and talking to me while I’m trying to get my homework done could quite possibly be my least favorite situation on the planet. I don’t care if you’re bored or we haven’t talked in a few days, I would rather just wait to see you in person.

Despite my grudge against FaceTime, it hasn’t really been a problem until now. Usually, I can just ignore FaceTime calls by saying I’m at school or running errands, but now that excuse would be extremely concerning. Anytime someone calls, I feel obligated to answer and suffer through hours of needless idling.

I didn’t think I could hate any video chat app more than I hated FaceTime — until I found Zoom. I wasn’t even aware Zoom existed until schools were forced online, and I wish it had stayed that way. I find myself dreading every call I have to get onto, and half of the time I just end up ignoring them. I’m not sure if it’s the awkwardness of a silent class as a teacher attempts to engage in conversation, or the fact that anyone could be looking at you without you knowing at any time that I hate more. 

Overall, I am not a fan of video chatting — whether it’s FaceTime with my friends or Zoom with my chemistry class. I can handle FaceTime in small amounts — gossiping with my friends, calling to ask a question or two, or even talking for a couple of hours if there’s a reason. However, if you FaceTime me “just to see me”, I’d rather not call at all. Zoom calls are my least favorite way to learn, and I’d prefer if I never have to experience one again. Lucky for me, summer is coming, which means Zoom calls are ending.