FABI labs are buzzing again with activity, albeit within strict schedules to manage the number of people in the building and to adhere to safety regulations during the COVID-19 lockdown. But many of the normal interaction in the labs between FABIans have been interrupted. This also includes the usual ‘social’ but also structured learning about laboratory rules and general lab etiquette. On the afternoon of 16 September more than 170 FABI students and postdocs engaged online to discuss various elements of lab use and etiquette. The discussions included topics such as the use and functioning of the culture collection, the use of freeze driers, autoclaves, microscopes, gels, general preparation labs, phytotrons, incubators and more. Time was also spent on general lab safety protocols, lab etiquette, rules and regulations.