Last Saturday I attended a special one-day event put on by the NSW PSA [New South Wales (Chapter of the) Professional Speakers Australia].
Well actually, I organised the event because I’m the President of the NSW PSA.
Our guest speaker for the day had asked me if the members of NSW PSA would be interested in spending a day with him, and as you would expect, we had a huge roll up of attendees, all of whom left at the end of the day with nothing but superlatives for the content, and delivery of information on the day.
I guess it was a case of “If you build it, he will come.”
And “come” they did.
One of the stories shared by our guest speaker was about a presentation that he gave for a company where he had, as he described, a HUFFER in the audience.
A huffer is someone who sits in your audience cross armed, often cross-legged, and with a closed mind.
And they huff.
And they say things under their breath, like “Tosser”, when something useful is said by the speaker or presenter..
A huffer is downright disagreeable.
Deliberately.
And it’s usually because they believe that what they are hearing goes 100% against their own personal belief system…
And this is their way of letting those others in the room that they don’t agree with the thoughts being espoused.
Which is sad, because often a huffer can distort the reality of the fact that whoever is speaking has some valid information to share with those present and attending.
Interestingly, huffers don’t have to only present themselves in group settings. In fact, a huffer can present themselves in conversations where only one other person is involved.
This really is quite rude behaviour
Whether you believe someone is adding value with what they are saying, or not, just because their speech contradicts your personal beliefs doesn’t give you as a listener [or hearer] of their speech, the right to behave so rudely [by huffing].
Simply, if it’s not your cup of tea, get up and leave, or shut up.
But don’t disrupt.
Because your disruption, and your method of disruption, are offensive.
And rude.
If you don’t like what you hear, nobody is forcing you to stay.
If you feel the urge to huff, then simply get up, and get out, and go huff.
And go away.
And stay away.
*************
Dr. David Moffet BDS FPFA CSP is a certified CX Experience coach. David works with his wife Jayne Bandy to help SME businesses improve their Customer Service Systems to create memorable World Class experiences for their valued clients and customers. Click here to find out how David and Jayne can help your business