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:
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dressing appropriately
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maintaining good lighting and clear audio
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being punctual
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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.
Camera Usage
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: there, only 13% of video calls are held without the camera.
Screen Sharing & Call Recording
Among other notable video call feature is the screen sharing, which is highly popular in Turkey and Mexico – around 5% of all Bitrix24 video calls in these countries utilize screen sharing.
The Bitrix24 clients in Mexico also enjoy using call recording – almost 10% of all video calls in this country are being recorded.
Call Group Size
The smallest online meeting group size was recorded in Germany – 3.2 people on average. That’s 27% less than global average. The largest online meetings are held in Central Asia. Group calls in Kazakhstan almost always involve more than 4 persons.
Conclusion
As video conferencing continues to evolve, acknowledging these cultural distinctions enhances global communication and fosters mutual respect among professionals worldwide. While universal etiquette guidelines ensure effective meetings, adapting to regional differences helps build stronger relationships and promotes smoother collaboration in an increasingly interconnected workplace.
About Bitrix24
Bitrix24 is a free online workspace designed to help companies manage sales, clients, and employees. Since 2012, Bitrix24 has been embraced and widely used by more than 15 million businesses around the world.
Bitrix24 online meetings and video calls are available free of charge and feature:
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Up to 1,000 participants
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No time limit
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Screen sharing & custom backgrounds
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Call recording & transcription
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AI-powered call analysis + recommendations
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Integration with CRM and tasks
If you're looking to try Bitrix24 video calls and online meetings for your team, create your free account now.
Dive deeper: download the research graphics PDF:
Video Conferencing Across Different Regions: Italians Least Likely to Turn Camera Off, Turks Share Screens the Most.pdf
