Waving Goodbye at the End of Every Video Call

July 27, 2020

Who else has found themselves waving goodbye at the end of every video call?

Well you’re not alone. For one, I have done it and many times in fact.

It started with team calls when I was mirroring colleagues saying goodbye at the end of our daily catch ups. Now, I find myself waving to candidates and clients goodbye. Experts have claimed it’s us craving personal touch and human connection.

Some are taking it to a whole new level and ‘air hugging’.


Possibly a step too far for me in real life, but who knows what I’m capable of in months to come.

We once closed our notebooks and sprung off our chairs and now, we smile and wave.

With sound glitches ever present, verbal goodbyes can be missed whilst a wave universally signals hello or goodbye.

It leaves the meeting on a friendly and informal note and is less noisy and complicated than everyone saying their goodbyes at once.

There are other behaviours on video conference platforms, which we wouldn’t necessarily witness in person.

One in particular which I am guilty of is looking at yourself in the camera whilst in meetings. *Hangs head in shame*

Consequently, I’m making more of an effort getting ready knowing that I will have several video meetings every day. Vain? Most definitely, but aren’t we all.

The concern on how we look on video certainly reflects our confidence, but it’s only human to be self-conscious when we’re having to watch ourselves talk and move for hours a day.

A clever tip on Zoom is that you can shut yourself off in the Zoom settings, so people still see you but you don’t have that constant reflection.

Many prove their engagement, acknowledgement and understanding in video conferences by smiling and nodding. This is a behaviour that I’ve witnessed in my team and I must admit I find it reassuring as it’s a sign of ‘yes I understand and agree’ without any verbal interruption.

In adapting to this ‘new normal’, we are forced to conduct social gatherings and work meetings by virtual technology and are consequently experiencing a new fatigue.

A fatigue that is caused by offering our full attention and awareness to the blue screen in and outside of work.

I asked several colleagues, clients and candidates on how they are disconnecting during and after their work day and here’s some of their suggestions:

  • Reading more and eliminating screen time including television after 8pm.
  • A cuddle with my children.
  • Taking a 5-10 minute walk both at lunch and late afternoon.
  • Book in a workout class at my finish time so I can’t delay the end of my work day.
  • As soon as the work day is over and before I think of cooking dinner, I exercise or/and meditate. It may just be for twenty minutes, but it’s my ‘new normal must’.
  • Baking from our p2p cookbook ; an on-going favourite is the lime and ginger kisses. Enquire for details!

Over to you, what online habits have you experienced in yourself or others and most importantly, hands up if you’re an avid waver.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Grow your career and teams with people2people


In business since 2005 in Australia, NZ, and the United Kingdom, people2people is an award-winning recruitment agency with people at our heart. With over 12 offices, we specialise in accounting and finance, business support, education, executive, government, HR, legal, marketing and digital, property, sales, supply chain, and technology sectors. As the proud recipients of the 2025 RCSA and SEEK Outstanding Large Agency Awards, we are dedicated to helping businesses achieve success through a people-first approach.

Recent articles

Australia’s Jobs Market Is Slowing. What Happens Next?

By Shannon Barlow • August 21, 2026
Australia’s unemployment rate has risen to 4.5%, its highest level in nearly five years, as hiring slows and competition for roles increases. We look at what the latest labour market figures mean for Australian employers and jobseekers, how New Zealand’s experience provides useful perspective, and why the next stage of

Legal Talent Retention: What Law Firms Need to Get Right

By Kim Padmore • August 5, 2026
Discover what law firms need to get right to attract, retain and develop top legal talent in a changing workforce.
Aerial view of Sydney Harbour Bridge and downtown skyline at dusk, with boats on the harbor.

Australia Market Analysis: 2026 Workforce Priorities

By people2people • August 2, 2026
Explore Australia’s 2026 hiring outlook, including skills shortages, selective recruitment, AI literacy, internal mobility and changing employer expectations.

Latest PR features

Most employers in Australia plan to hire talent in 2026

How February can be a make-or-break for employees

Job security takes priority as Australia enters a workforce reset in 2026