a tasting "crowd" senario?

I've never had that happen at any of my presentations, but what I find a little annoying is when somebody in the front gets up and walks out in the middle. It's only happened a couple of times, but I'm thinking they should have at least sat in the back.

I have had experiences like that with larger tastings (50+). I find that there usually is a majority who are interested and I tend to focus on these people who then in turn usually reprimand those who are not taking part.

Why the hell do these trolls continue?

winegirl, just think about the people attending. Most of them are probably there for the gathering as opposed to the tasting. Of those that attended, if they knew anything about wine, do you think they need to hear it from you? If they didn't know anything about wine, do you think they care about what you were saying? You were probably hired to entertain those who had nobody else there to entertain, or nobody to be entertained by.

As for Board-O's situation, I'll bet most of the attendees attended for the talk and not to see how comfortable the chairs were.

This is precisely why it is always easier to teach a PhD class than an undergraduate class. PhD students are interested in Hausdorff spaces and convexity assumptions, undergraduate students (in general) only care what's on their midterms and finals.

Good Lord! Who pays attention at some conference???

Hint: nobody.

We go to conferences to get away from the family and:

1. Drink.
2. Eat
3. Golf
4. Ski
5. Various combinations of 1 - 4

And do it for free.

Hmmmmm...listening to what people have to say at these silly group sessions doesn't appear to be on the list.

quote:

Originally posted by sydthesquid:
Good Lord! Who pays attention at some conference???

Hint: nobody.

We go to conferences to get away from the family and:

1. Drink.
2. Eat
3. Golf
4. Ski
5. Various combinations of 1 - 4

And do it for free.

Hmmmmm...listening to what people have to say at these silly group sessions doesn't appear to be on the list.

One word: Taboo.

I think it really depends on a few factors.

I find that large crowds, and a cheap (or worse yet-free) is a recipe for irritation. The ppl at these events are generally there just to get blitzed and any real effort on my part to educate the masses is rather futile.

Smaller groups, and a more $$$ ticket price tend to command more respect.

Every tasting is different, I adjust my attitude for the crowd. You want to get sloshed and rowdy? Cool, I'll just ask "Red or white?", pour and smile. You came to learn about wine? Let's talk.

I think their behavior was rude.

The person that hired you, or someone at the event with some sort of authority should have just told you to pour.

I think a lot of what I was going to say is similar to what WEc said.

I'm with spo. Whether winegirl was paid or not really isn't the issue. It's rude to carry on side conversations during a presentation meant to be addressed to everyone in the room. If you're not interested in listening and need to talk to an associate, excuse yourself and go talk elsewhere. There is a significant difference between ignoring a presentation and interrupting one.

That being said, commanding a room of 100 doctors in what sounds like a "convention like" setting ain't easy. Perhaps you should work on your public speaking skills/techniques before you tackle a group of that size in the future.

PH

Winegirl,
I've never had that happen, but with conferences I always try to keep it light, quick and fun.
With 100 docs I'm surprised nobody engaged you in scientific wine questions (they always try to stump me with those), and I've always found doctors wives very interested in wine and food - local restaurants, as well as local wines to buy to bring home.
I suppose it's also a learning experience here in BC as it's a fairly new region they know little about, I certainly receive a lot of feedback.
You may want to request a mic for large groups. It could very well be they can't hear you well to remain engaged ?

GA,

We miss you!!!

worst thing to do, is to give up ...

then you'd lose everyone ..

if you love the topic, have the enthusiasm to speak like it truly is a topic you love, people can see that, and will share your enthusiasm.

The question that needs to be answered: Was it a room full of surgeons? They don't get out of the hospital much, so you have to understand if they just want to unwind and drink and act dumb.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by winegirl58:

I was simply attempting to explain a real life situation that I experienced. [QUOTE]

situation (there's no face for laughing is there?) hahahahahaaha

I'm sure that's what it was... a situation!

If it happens again, trigger the fire sprinkler system.

Keep in mind:

Some people are still making up for high school slights.

Many people on internet forums suffer from the Stockholm Syndrome, and suck up to those who convey superiority via rudeness.

Your crowd was not selected for their interest in what you had to say...oh, well.

Some of the responses here are a bit sad.

Better luck next time!

Hey, Gigond Ass! How are you doing. Long time no see.
Got any plans for a trip up to the bay area?

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Tong BBP:
Hey, Gigond Ass! How are you doing. Long time no see.
Got any plans for a trip up to the bay area?

Maybe in spring. Have to take over another division in the next couple of months. Had to cut my vacation plans to just a week to make the Seattle gig.

Sounds like the Docs were drinking and not spitting, hence their interest in camaraderie and not education.

quote:

Originally posted by Gigond Ass:
Maybe in spring. Have to take over another division in the next couple of months. Had to cut my vacation plans to just a week to make the Seattle gig.

That sounds like being a fun event. Wish I culd be there too.
Hey, does this thread seem shorter to you all of a sudden?

Doctors being arrogant, or rude

Thanks for everyones input..
Yes I did have a microphone and I walked all around the room near each table...and yes I did
noticed that the doctors wives where much more interested...This was mearly a 45 min presentation of 3 wines.. I spoke loudly and clearly..(I am pretty good
with public speaking..)At one point I had my mike turned up..At the end of my last wine the "event director" appologized for everyones "rudeness" and began to clap..causing everyone else to clap and then return to thier converstaions. I also had several doctors come up to me afterwards and
voice thier regrets about the other doctors in the room.. The whole thing was messy..Yes I was
paid..but not as the nights entertainment as I explained to them..I realize this is a fine line..There was also a DJ and dancing and open bar..I take it as lesson learned..(Perhaps I will do it nude next time with sparklers!!)Ahhh

quote:

Originally posted by winegirl58:
a 45 min presentation of 3 wines

This was certainly a BIG part of your problem. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long for 3 wines.

PH

Definitely too long. PH would have drank the three wines and then scooped glasses from other tables.

quote:

Originally posted by PurpleHaze:

quote:

Originally posted by winegirl58:
a 45 min presentation of 3 wines

This was certainly a BIG part of your problem. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long for 3 wines.

PH

There were actually six. They were debating which were corked.

quote:

Originally posted by futronic:
Definitely too long. PH would have drank the three wines and then scooped glasses from other tables.

PH

If they were paying for it themselves they would pay attention but on their own they just are there to mingle, schmooze and get a buzz. now if they paid for it themselves and then ignored you I would be upset.100 people is alot to keep focused on anything.