Zoom

[Tink41]

Nice way to say no? Family is trying to set up a Zoom "thing" tomorrow for Easter. I'm not interested, I love my family but this is making me anxious. I am perfectly happy w sheltering in place I feel no need to "socialize". How do you say no w/o being rude/seeming like a freak??

[California_Republic]

1. You can mention all the security problems with zoom

[Sanity Claws]

2. You can say your internet went out

Damn. Time Warner is so unreliable. I am so sick of these internet providers.

Or use whatever language suits you. You have the idea.

[Sherman A1]

4. That would be the best plan

[underpants]

3. Play tech stupid

Claim you can't get it to work or at least can't get the camera to work

[Tink41]

6. Most Likely

This seems most likely scenario. Thank you. I'm really getting PO'D at those that can't just make do til things are back to normal. Whatever that may be.

[enough]

5. You said it Tink. I'm in exactly the same quandary. NT

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. Kind of like when you don't want to talk on the phone.

Bad connection. I can't get the app to load. Oops, my internet went out.

[LuvLoogie]

8. Just do it.

You can be passive and just watch. Set it up in your kitchen and go about your chores.

You can always drop off, but make the effort.

[Renew Deal]

9. Don't show up

But the better option will be to show up. The interaction will probably be psychologically beneficial.

[Clash City Rocker]

10. Is your family really annoying, or adversarial?

Are they all Trump supporters or something? Why do you want to avoid them so much?

If the reason is just that you’re really introverted and don’t want to talk to people, I’d say that honesty is the best policy. If you make up a lie, you’ll just have to lie again the next time.

[Tink41]

12. Well yeah

I've been quite happy "locked away" for 2 months. It's a relief actually. It's making me nervous they all seem to have this need to be social. I don't want to lie. It's not my nature. No they are not on a different page politically, thank goodness. I just don't understand the need to have "live chat". I text w my siblings and niece, nephew, adult child, and Dad all the time. Isn't that enough?? Now I'm laughing by the ridiculousness of it all.

[Clash City Rocker]

14. So tell them the truth

If your family isn’t doing anything wrong, they deserve to know the truth. Otherwise, if this becomes a regular thing, your excuses will sound flimsy.

[Tink41]

15. Oh I do!

Sometimes the truth gets tired. And most likely why I feel like a weirdo because I don't make "nice" excuses.

[Dorian Gray]

11. It's tough to say no

especially to family on a holiday. We are doing one tomorrow (as it's not only Easter, but my dad's 81st!). Luckily, my family doesn't have longevity on these things. It'll probably last a half hour, max.

Can you pop in, say hi, pass your love, and then beg out? Do you have someone else at your house who "needs your attention?" (A young child? A sick spouse? An animal that got stuck somewhere?)

Can you say you're not feeling well, but you wanted to pop in to see faces and then pop out again?

[Tink41]

13. Thank you

You are right. I guess I'm just aggravated they have to find some way to be social. AAGGHHH.

[Dorian Gray]

18. Hope you have a happy day

no matter what decision you make regarding zoom!

[VarryOn]

16. When I started working from home four weeks ago...

Along with everyone else at my company, online meetings became necessary. I started out doing 'audio only' since I didnt believe showing up on cam was all that important. Finally, after a few meetings where I was the only one not on cam, I took the plunge. Now, it's not that big of a deal.

My family has done a few Zooms. I'm enjoying them more. Certainly, it doesnt replace in-person connections. But it is nice seeing others. I'm sure your family would like seeing you, too.

Anyway, I would just encourage you to give it a try...as long as you like your family. It's how things are done nowadays.

On a lighter not, I suppose...On Sunday, my church did a Zoom "lobby" before the service was streamed. A obese, naked man showed up for about 2 seconds before they pulled the plug. It can be an adventure!

[Skittles]

17. yup

I'm betting a lot of people are finding out the benefits of not so much socializing, especially with family