Thoughts on eating while on zoom with clients?

funny
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I will honestly tell you, when I was in super long meetings I would lie and say I needed to use the restroom and then wolf down a snack while hiding in there by the sink 🤣🤣🤣. All kidding aside, I think if you are like casually eating a few almonds or a string cheese while someone else is talking thats fine. But I wouldnt just like sit there and eat a sandwich

likefunny

It’s funny, because pre Zoom we would all have been huddled together in a room, ordering Jimmy Johns for the 3rd time that week and stuffing our faces

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I wouldn’t do it.

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Wolfing it down while going off camera? Otherwise: No.

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I like to mess with clients and show them I’m a hard shell taco Chipotle guy. I know they’re thinking the whole time I tilt my head and snap into my 4 tacos, “why doesn’t this guy just get a burrito or burrito bowl like a normal person”

likeupliftingfunny

Alpha move right there

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Please don’t. It’s cringeworthy lol (unless you have your camera off). But even then, I wouldn’t do it

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no?

likefunny

No one wants to watch you shove Taco Bell in your piehole, client or otherwise.

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Obviously. Eating is not in the job description.

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If you need to eat, then please excuse yourself from the camera and just eat. No job is worth starving yourself

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Not on camera.

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I thought this was a joke. Turn off the camera while you are eating. Jfc.

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We are human. We need fuel to function. Not being able to eat because you’re busy prepping a client for trial happens, but is definitely not expected nor should it just be acceptable and that’s that. I’m sure the client is hungry, too.

Either way, politely state that you are running low on fuel and require food to be able to continue prepping, then ask if they would mind if you ate while on Zoom (offer camera on/off) or if they’d be ok with taking a 15-30 minute break to stretch, eat, hydrate, use restroom, then get back to it.

We are HUMAN first and foremost. This profession makes us forget that. Trial isn’t worth feeling dizzy and fainting due to low blood sugar and lack of hydration. You are doing yourself and your client a disservice by not taking the proper breaks and fueling/hydrating. You are mentally less efficient and effective, and can make a really big mistake, miss something, etc.

helpful

Just started having in person client meetings again, we’re all snacking and eating sandwiches. No logic why it wouldn’t be acceptable on zoom but I guess it feels weird.

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If you’re not on mute depending on your audio set up the chewing can be louder, also on Zoom the focus is entirely on your face.

I’m literally always eating on calls, so I would very much appreciate the company.

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NEVER

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. . . no

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Never. Only time I’ve eaten on a zoom was if I had back to backs and it’s with coworkers I’m close with - never a client.

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Definitely no.

Even if it’s because I haven’t eaten all day because we’ve been busy prepping them for trial? Sad

Then turn off your camera or something. I don’t even let colleagues see me eating on zoom, yet alone a client

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Have you ever had anybody who provides a service to you show up to an appointment with you with a salad in their hand? I am not even talking about the ridiculous follow up. Lol "what if we have been busy all day.". That's not a flex. What are you trying to do? Show to your client that you need someone in charge of your meal schedule?

Um, hard no.

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