Is someone asking about your weekend or if it's gotten cold where you live yet really emotional labor? Those questions help orient everyone to the call. It's v

Is someone asking about your weekend or if it's gotten cold where you live yet really emotional labor? Those questions help orient everyone to the call. It's very much like when I call a friend and don't launch into what I need right after their 'Hello', I first ask them how they are doing. This lets them get their headspace into our conversation. In person meetings have lots of physical clues to orient people so there's less chit chat needed. Remote though is more challenging. Everyone who just signed on was moving in different directions and speeds, and a couple minutes of 'hey, how's it going' gets people synced for the ensuing conversation. And I say this as someone who prefers to do everything over Slack and avoid all meetings.