Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts December 1999
December 1999
Short Cuts:WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM
Dear Answer Lady,
At the last conference I planned, an attendee sitting in the front
row of a seminar room actually removed his shoes and socks and
began clipping his toenails. Needless to say, the speaker was
unnerved, as were those sitting nearby. When it comes to disruptive
behavior during an event, where do you draw the line, and how?
Sincerely,
Pedicurious
Dear Pedicurious,
Draw the line right at the point where the behavior begins to
upstage the speaker. When it's crossed, take action, but have a
proportional response. For persistent coughing, giggling, chatting,
etc., if the offender doesn't have the sense to remove himself, a
thoughtfully worded reprimand is 99 percent effective. For
toenail-clippers and others who have escaped the influence of
polite society, I see no reason to be polite. Boot 'em. Call
security. If a debate ensues, ask the speaker to stop, and get the
person out of the room before allowing the event to continue. I
mean, honestly&toenails.
Yours in Planning,
The Answer Lady
Got a work-related problem that requires attention from an
expert or a friendly, disinterested third party? The Answer Lady is
both. Write to Answer Lady, Meetings & Conventions,
500 Plaza Dr., Secaucus, N.J. 07094, or send e-mail to [email protected]
Back to
Current Issue index | Back to
Short Cuts indexM&C
Home PageCurrent
Issue |
Events Calendar |
Newsline |
Incentive News |
Meetings Market
ReportEditorial
Libraries |
CVB Links |
Reader Survey |
Hot Dates |
Contact M&C