The noise is a distraction and puts pressure on the speaker and affects the participants
in the room. Somehow the moving of coffee cups, saucers and spoons
creates a life all of its own.
Usually I wouldn’t notice as much but at an
event to me the distracting sound becomes even more pronounced. I have no idea really why it is allowed to happen? The event
planner can clearly state as many do that certain things can or cannot happen
and most venues or caterers work accordingly so all should be well. But, sometimes
it just doesn’t happen.
Only recently I was at a charity fundraising dinner; the
coffee had been served, the key speaker was talking about her experiences of
people and their moments of personal anguish, the audience were captivated as
they were on the emotional journey and just as the speaker was reaching the pinnacle
of her speech along came the people to clear away the coffee cups. The noise
affected both the speaker and some of the audience and I was left wondering why
it had been allowed to happen?
Imagine that you are reaching the breath-taking finale of
your favourite film and in the background you hear some noise that distracts
you. Well it would be annoying (to put it mildly) and on a film production you
can be sure that the Director would have called CUT!! so why don’t event
planners do the same? Yes the events are not films but they are still
productions and should be treated with the same professionalism as any great
film producer will bring to bear.
A clattering coffee cup certainly has no place at any event
and even more so when a hybrid event is being produced. Just think how quickly
your remote audience will turn off if all they can hear is the clinking
together of cups and cutlery?
It is essential that the catering staff
understand that there are only certain times when they can deliver the food and
drinks to ensure that they don’t appear as extras in your event.
Attention to detail is key to producing professional events
and if you believe that your event is about to be affected by the clatter of
coffee cups you should shout "CUT" very loudly.
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Hi Paul,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I think we can reduce the need for caffeine by making smart food choices that don't result in a sugar crash. Also, if you do have coffee, mugs without saucers are a bit less noisy, and reduce the dishwashing needs (though it might make the table cloths trickier to clean). Alternatively, not having a speaker during meals and allow people to network instead.