[doix]

> though I'd argue that the loss of the smoke break did a lot more damage to this than remote work.

Eh, coffee breaks serve the same purpose as a smoke break in my opinion. I'd guess nowadays the amount of coffee drinkers is probably the same as the number of smokers back in the day.

Interestingly, in my experience, a "quick call" has been something where the other person doesn't want an email to get forwarded. That's why they don't include the subject in the message/meeting invite. Usually some political maneuvering to try and get ownership of a project or push off a failing project to another team/organziation.

[Quothling]

I guess it's down to personal experience but I've never gotten much out of "going to the water cooler / coffee" breaks. There was something magical about the smoke break where you had to go outside and talk for a few minutes. I've never been a smoker but I usually joined people on those breaks. You can do the same with a short walk and talk, but those aren't something you do every hour or two.

> Interestingly, in my experience, a "quick call" has been something where the other person doesn't want an email to get forwarded. That's why they don't include the subject in the message/meeting invite.

I think there is certainly some of this.