Exploring regional approaches to video calls: A case study using Bitrix24 comprehensive video conferencing features.
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 16, 2025 / As remote work and online meetings continue to be an integral part of professional life, video conferencing etiquette remains essential for effective communication. While many universal principles apply, cultural nuances shape how people engage in video calls across different regions. Understanding these differences fosters better collaboration and reduces the risk of miscommunication.
This research takes a deeper look into how users across different regions approach their video calls, using Bitrix24 as an example of an online workspace that provides extensive video call and conferencing capabilities.
Universal Etiquette Standards
Regardless of location, several fundamental aspects of video conferencing etiquette have remained consistent in 2024. These include:
dressing appropriately
maintaining good lighting and clear audio
being punctual
using a neutral or professional virtual background when necessary
The latter is especially noteworthy since it is a subject of multiple separate studies (including this one) and is believed to lead to "videoconference fatigue." Brightly-colored, animated, or inappropriate background can often lead to physical, emotional, mental, and social tiredness faster than a neutral background or even lack thereof.
Muting microphones when not speaking and avoiding distractions are also widely accepted norms to ensure smooth discussions.
Another universal practice is the expectation of engagement - maintaining eye contact by looking at the camera and showing active participation by nodding or using digital reactions.
With advancements in AI-powered meeting tools, automatic call transcription and real-time translation have further improved accessibility and inclusivity in global virtual meetings.
Regional Variations in Video Conferencing
Despite the commonalities mentioned in the section above, video conferencing etiquette still varies greatly across cultures, reflecting broader societal communication styles and workplace norms. Here is a quick overview of the main regions where video conferencing is widely used.
North America & Western Europe
In North America and much of Western Europe, video meetings are typically informal yet structured. Participants often use first names and encourage open discussions. A relaxed approach to dress codes has persisted, with many professionals opting for business casual attire unless meeting with senior executives or clients. Small talk at the beginning of meetings is common, serving as an icebreaker.
Asia
In many Asian countries, video conferencing etiquette aligns with traditional business hierarchies. Formal greetings and addressing colleagues with appropriate titles remain crucial. In countries like Japan and South Korea, silence is sometimes used to convey thoughtfulness, which may be misinterpreted as disengagement in Western contexts. Additionally, virtual backgrounds depicting company branding are more commonly used to maintain professionalism.
Latin America
Meetings in Latin America often include a degree of personal interaction before diving into business matters. Greetings and small talk about family or well-being are valued. A more relaxed attitude toward punctuality persists, although this varies depending on the organization and country.
Bitrix24 Video Call Study
This recently conducted study has revealed some unusual insights into how people from different countries approach video calls and conferencing in Bitrix24, a popular free online workspace.
Approximately 1.2 million calls have been analyzed in more than 95 countries - here are the results.
Call Duration
Overall, the average call duration is 21 minutes for group calls and 10 minutes for one-on-one calls. However, if one takes the country into consideration, that's where it gets interesting.
For example, the average group call duration is significantly higher in Italy - 34 minutes in Italy. Germany follows up next, with 27 minutes per call.
On the bottom of this list is India: people from this country spend on average as little as 14 minutes on a group call, more than two times less than Italy.
When it comes to one-on-one calls, the results are almost the same: from 7 minutes in India to 14 minutes in Italy.
This is somewhat unusual since a recent study that focused on "Zoom fatigue" shows that people tend to feel more connected to others when video calls are frequent, brief and conducted with small groups.
Long meetings with many participants can often be exhausting, possibly because maintaining non-verbal communication cues, such as eye contact, with many people takes a lot of mental effort.
Contrary to what one may think, not everybody likes to have video calls with the camera on. According to the study, on average, 40% of video calls are held with the camera switched off.
Speaking of specific countries/regions, that percentage is even higher in Latin America - 48% of the company's clients prefer not to use their camera during a video call. Conversely, the country where people seem to like being seen is Italy.
Complete research results: https://www.bitrix24.com/resources/video-conferencing-across-different-regions.php
Contact Information:
Vlad Kovalskiy
US Marketing Manager
kovalskiy@bitrix24.com
SOURCE: Bitrix24
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
