You know that slightly awkward feeling when you show up to a gathering and realize that the only person you know is the host? Well, you might experience something similar the first time you hop onto a random chat site. You know what it’s supposed to be all about, but you aren’t quite sure what to do with yourself.
As you’ll see below, there’s nothing terribly difficult about random video chatting; it’s just that some things are better to know beforehand. If you’re using a site such as ChatSpin, you won’t have to worry about all kinds of unspoken rules or points of etiquette; the main point is to have a good time, and that usually isn’t too hard to accomplish.
They aren’t afraid to bring out their inner oddball
A lot of people get unfairly characterized as “weird” simply because they don’t fit within the norm as well as their friends. Sometimes they are actually weird, but occasionally it’s just the result of having a limited social circle. Try making friends on random video chat sites, though, and these same people could realize that they really aren’t that unusual at all.
Random video chatting gives you some of the advantages of making friends, without the pressure of conforming to certain social expectations. You essentially have more freedom to be yourself. Every time you introduce yourself to someone else, they’ll be getting to know you on your terms. And guess what? Maybe the person they’re getting to know is a little nerdy. If they don’t like it, they can find another chat partner – and you can go find someone who likes you for you.
They’re flexible with the types of conversations they have
When it comes to the kind of chats they like, everybody has their own preferences; there’s nothing wrong with that. That being said, you don’t want to be so particular about your chat partners that you miss out on some genuinely interesting experiences.
Think of it this way: there’s a specific dish that’s your absolute favorite. You decide that you’re only going to eat that one thing for every meal; after all, why shouldn’t you go for the best option every time? Even though you’re enjoying it, you eventually realize that you’re depriving yourself of a lot of other things too. Given enough time, your favorite dish won’t be so special anymore; it’ll just be the only thing on the menu.
This is a bit how random chatting can work if you only follow through with certain types of chat partners. Maybe you only want people who can discuss your hobbies with you, or you’re looking for chat partners who keep things casual and basic. These chats can totally be enjoyable, but if this is all you do, you’ll be missing out on a big part of the random chatting experience.
They use video or text chats as needed
It should be obvious that video chats are an integral part of random video chatting, but did you know that most chat sites offer text chats as well? You could even switch between the two settings mid-chat if you wanted.
For most random chatters, video chats work just fine. A video chat lets you see your conversation partner’s body language, and the flow of the interaction feels more natural. In other words, it’s just better for getting acquainted with someone.
However, this isn’t what everybody wants. Text chatting is preferable for people who aren’t quite ready to communicate via webcam, or for someone who wants to put a little distance between them and a chat partner they aren’t quite sure about. Even though you might end up liking video chats better, text chats are still available if you ever feel like giving them a shot.
They aren’t afraid to let a conversation get intense
Most people on video chat sites aren’t there for passionate debates; they just want to have fun and make some new friends. If a chat starts turning into something that’s more than they bargained for, it only makes sense for them to leave in search of a more chill interaction.
Or does it? In some cases, seeing a chat through to the end can have some unexpected benefits. For example, if you and a chat partner get into a subject that you don’t exactly agree on, this could easily turn into an argument. But if you’re both constructive in the way you’re debating, you could end up seeing the issue from an entirely new viewpoint – something that never would have happened if you’d left as soon as the disagreement came up.
They make sure their chat partners get a good first impression
You don’t have to give yourself a makeover before hopping online for a few video chats; you just have to give some attention to your overall presentation. Yes, it’s best to make sure your hair doesn’t resemble a bird’s nest, but what about your background? Is your lighting flattering, or does it make you look like a distant relative of the Grinch?
The good news is, you don’t have to spend all kinds of time or money to make yourself look good on camera. Making sure your background isn’t super messy shouldn’t be that hard, and after that, it’s time to optimize the lighting.
A beam that’s too bright or direct will wash you out, while a weak light source or a weird angle could make you look really odd. If a light fixture doesn’t do the job, see what you can rig up with lamps – and avoid fluorescent bulbs. Play around with what you already have on hand, and you should be able to achieve the effect you want.
Still, have questions about what to do while random video chatting? At this point, you could find the answers for yourself!
It isn’t rocket science; after all, half the people on video chat sites probably don’t know what they’re doing either. Just remember: as long as you’re having fun, you’re doing it right!
