Remote meetings have become widespread because of the coronavirus. I have been attending many videoconferences myself. Of course, it comes with a lot of benefits. It saves a lot of time and money since there is no need for business trips. But on the flip side, there are a lot of drawbacks, too. First, the sound echoes and there is a slight delay on the screen. I also feel self-conscious when my face fills the screen. It's definitely inconvenient that I can't get a read on the atmosphere of a meeting, or the subtle reactions of the other people.
I think meeting face-to-face for in-person meetings is a better way to get across a point more clearly. I may just feel this way because I am an old-timer at work. My younger coworkers in their 20s and 30s may take it as a given that we videoconference and feel completely at home with it.
drawback - a disadvantage or the negative part of a situation
self-conscious - nervous or uncomfortable because you are worried about what people think about you or your actions
get across sth - to communicate an idea or message successfully
take sth as a given - to accept that something is true and not expect it to change
- You can save a lot of time and money by searching online. / We save a lot of time and money by reserving in advance.
- You can learn a lot from the old-timer. / I am an old-timer, so let my younger coworkers decide.
- I don't feel completely at home with it yet. / Right away, I felt completely at home with the new policy.
1: You have a lot of remote meetings these days, don't you?
2: Sure. Sometimes we have them several times a day.
1: How do you feel about them?
2: They definitely have their pros and cons.
1: I think so, too.
2: The biggest downside is that I can't read someone's expression when we talk.