Video chat: Why don't people like it?

[SKesselman]

I'm curious:

Video chat is something I used to dream of (remember Blade Runner?).

I video chat with my boyfriend in France all the time.
But my girlfriends, although they have the means to video chat, would rather talk on the phone (???).
And my 2 sisters (one 3,000 milles away) have simply no interest.

Even a former member of this forum who had a SkypeMe button on his signature (in email, at least) suddenly *disappeared* when I invited him to video chat.

What's up with people?! The future of communication is here, why do people shy away from it?
Is there still an 'adult' stigma attached to it?

So far, all I can come up with is that you can't readily multi-task on video chat as well as on the phone.
Any ideas?
Thanks 

[Ehtyar]

I talk to the better half on skype video, and ocasionally some other friends, though for the most part i know what you're talking about. However, there are still plenty of people who are either without webcam, or suffering an internet connection that simply won't support video conversation smoothly. Then there are of course people who simply do not want to be seen over the internet (privacy, messy surroundings etc).

Ehtyar.

[wreckedcarzz]

I would assume that the whole "adult" thing is still attached to it for the older folks... every teenager I know (my entire high school) does at least IM/Text Messaging, and a lot of us do voice and video (I am getting a webcam soon). It is like there are two groups - the ones that take it inappropriately, and the ones that don't really care about the "risks" involved in it (and therefore do it all the time). (I would be the latter)

Just a teen's perspective...

[Lashiec]

I guess that will vary from person to person. Multitasking is definitely a big reason, you can do everything you want while you talk on the phone, meanwhile with video chat you have to be in front of the camera. Also, some people can be uncomfortable when talking using a videocam, in the sense that they can be in pajamas at home, in underwear, or doing those little things everyone does at home, and it's embarrassing for them to let others see them like that.

I suppose it's a matter of asking your girlfriends why they don't like it. Personally, I don't have a webcam, and never felt inclined to buy one for videochat, maybe because I don't have any particular reason about having or not having one.

[cranioscopical]

I'm curious:

Video chat is something I used to dream of (remember Blade Runner?).
What's up with people?! The future of communication is here, why do people shy away from it?

That is because, when talking to a client, one has to change out of pyjamas!

[SKesselman]

...and the ones that don't really care about the "risks" involved in it...

What risks?

Just a teen's perspective...

Thanks! Having no kids of my own, I can really appreciate a teen's opinion.
Who wants to be an "eighties throwback", anyway?

[Grorgy]

Most of the people i 'talk' to on the internet are not people I have met, sometimes, but not often we use video, but usually just text, probably because of multitasking, well ok, i tell a lie, i don't multitask, single tasking on something different    you can just wander away for a coffee and rejoin the conversation and no one is the wiser.  My real life friends and relatives seem to live in the stone age!

[wreckedcarzz]

...and the ones that don't really care about the "risks" involved in it...

What risks?

Just a teen's perspective...

Thanks! Having no kids of my own, I can really appreciate a teen's opinion.
Who wants to be an "eighties throwback", anyway?

"Risks" meaning the whole "child abuse" stuff that no one under 30 really cares about... Oprah had a show on it a while back and I watched (and laughed) at the first 15 minutes or so of it. It is just about privacy and the whole "Who You Talk To Is Not Always Who They Are" (WYTTINAWTA, the webcam opposite of WYSIWYG )

Yea I know... The 80s? DOS? Commodore 64? MAN! HOW OLD ARE YOU PEOPLE! (just kidding... sort of... lol)

[SKesselman]

... The 80s? DOS? Commodore 64? MAN! HOW OLD ARE YOU PEOPLE! (just kidding... sort of... lol)

Old enough to know you left out 'workstations'.

[Shades]

And the Atari 2600!!!! 

[wreckedcarzz]

And the Atari 2600!!!! 

Wasn't that big POS that was like, the world's worst ****ing console ever, the HUGE, INCOMPATIBLE thing with a random big storage slot on the back?

(I only know, or THINK I know, because of TAVGN - The Angry Video Game Nerd )

[Josh]

What about the gibson?

[wreckedcarzz]

And the Atari 2600!!!! 

Wasn't that big POS that was like, the world's worst ****ing console ever, the HUGE, INCOMPATIBLE thing with a random big storage slot on the back?

(I only know, or THINK I know, because of TAVGN - The Angry Video Game Nerd )

My bad, I was referring to the 5200...

NFSW!!!! Not safe for anyone easily (or anyhow) offended (funny as **** tho lol): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AknyR-kRvLc

[SKesselman]

Very nice u-tube, didn't even need sound.
But, aren't teenage boys supposed to have *other* things on their mind?

Way back when, around 1983, as I recall, video games were something a guy played at the surf shop - yes - on an Atari - while waiting for his friends, or say, a *girl* to show up. Now, I guess it's a lifestyle (?).

[40hz]

Yea I know... The 80s? DOS? Commodore 64? MAN! HOW OLD ARE YOU PEOPLE! (just kidding... sort of... lol)

Old enough to know that many people (depending on the time of day) would not want to get what they see if we were to regularly video chat!

Be grateful.

(Just kidding. Sort of...  )

[Deozaan]

I don't like video chat because when I'm on the internet, I like my relative anonymity.

The fact that you don't know what I look like or what my voice sounds like or how old I am is what I like so much about the internet. It seems to level the field and remove nearly all status and class. The only thing you can really judge someone by is their opinion and their writing skills.

When I have to speak to someone, generally I talk kind of slowly and I also take a long time to gather my thoughts. I like to know exactly what I'm going to say before I say it. So typing is a lot easier for me because it gives me the chance to think it through as I type it, read over it completely before I send it in IM or post it, and rewrite it if it comes out wrong. When speaking to someone vocally, you don't really have the luxury of any of those things without people becoming impatient or feeling pressured to respond quickly.

[40hz]

I don't like video chat because when I'm on the internet, I like my relative anonymity.

Besides, it's not usually a good idea to let the person who called you with a computer question see how often you flip him the bird. There's just no way for him not to take it personally.

[40hz]

That is because, when talking to a client, one has to change out of pyjamas!

What are pyjamas?

[SKesselman]

That is because, when talking to a client, one has to change out of pyjamas!

What are pyjamas?

I'm not entirely sure, but I think they're what you wear when you spend a lot of time playing video games. Chris, am I right?

   

[wreckedcarzz]

But, aren't teenage boys supposed to have *other* things on their mind?

Way back when, around 1983, as I recall, video games were something a guy played at the surf shop - yes - on an Atari - while waiting for his friends, or say, a *girl* to show up. Now, I guess it's a lifestyle (?).

I have other things to do, got a girlfriend... it is just that the sunlight burns.

Now if you'll excuse me, I am off to close my curtains, turn off the lights, and play some MMORPGs.

[f0dder]

I often sit around in my boxers at various times of day, so video chat would be too much of an inconvenience for me. On the phone (or forums, irc, IM, etc.) people can't see what you're wearing, and most tend not to ask

[cranioscopical]

That is because, when talking to a client, one has to change out of pyjamas!

What are pyjamas?

I'm not entirely sure, but I think they're what you wear when you spend a lot of time playing video games. Chris, am I right?

   

I walked right into that one from 40hz, didn't I? 

Reminds me of the early days of British television. At that time, all BBC newsreaders were male, and all were required to appear in formal evening wear. It wasn't uncommon, in the studio, to see a black-tie dinner jacket 'above the desk' and a ratty old pair of corduroys below.

And, yes, pyjamas are the preferred mode of dress when shirking from home.
One shies away from the image of 40hz who, apparently, takes informality to yet greater... um... lengths. 


[edit: can't punctuate]

[Stoic Joker]

I'm curious:

Video chat is something I used to dream of (remember Blade Runner?).
What's up with people?! The future of communication is here, why do people shy away from it?

That is because, when talking to a client, one has to change out of pyjamas!

Not really, You can just wear a shirt and tie, pants are optional ... Just don't reach for anything...

Christ I haven't worn pajamas since I was a kid.

[40hz]

And, yes, pyjamas are the preferred mode of dress when shirking from home.
One shies away from the image of 40hz who, apparently, takes informality to yet greater... um... lengths. 


[edit: can't punctuate]

To be sure. I'm usually wearing an informal 'Tux' when I'm shirking.

[attach]

[mediaguycouk]

I don't really like video chat, I don't want the other person to know that I'm wondering about the flat generally ignoring them while chatting.

However video conferencing in a suite or using a mobile projector is amazing. The quality and ease is excellent and the £3000 ish pounds is saved the first time you decide not to fly 5 people to America to 'have a chat'.