It Will Be Noisy This Christmas
Five ways to have better conversations this year!
Christmas, for many, is a time for getting together. At work as the Office party returns or perhaps with family (for the first time in the UK without restrictions for a few years).
In all cases, not being able to hear well in what will be a noisy environment is going to be a challenge many of us face (even realise it is a challenge that hasn’t been faced before).
Conversation is central to most of our festive experiences. Perhaps getting to know your co-workers in an informal setting, catching up with friends in a bar/restaurant or an extended family gathering around the dinner table.
One thing is for sure — Large gatherings mean noise!
Many social venues can be challenging at the best of times, and this is likely exacerbated over the festive period. Take a couple of scenarios:
1) The office party/get-together. A meal at a local chain restaurant. Full of hard floors and surfaces and lacks any of the trimmings that might make it a bit easier acoustically.
2) Christmas Drinks with friends. A night out with drinks (if that is your thing). A bar with a DJ playing festive tunes on full blast. Low-level “atmospheric” lighting and the venue is packed with everyone crammed in cheek by jowl.
3) The big day a family Christmas dinner. Everyone has travelled, and loads of you are crammed into what seems like a shoebox. Your favourite cousin has their volume turned up to 10, and the TV is on in the background.
All of these scenarios can be incredibly stressful if you are struggling to hear and others are struggling to hear you.
Social venues such as restaurants and pubs can become so noisy it is impossible to hear yourself speak, let alone your friends or family. Even at home, things can become so loud that we feel increasingly left out of the conversation simply because we can’t hear what people are saying. There is only so much nodding and ummms you can get away with!
So, what can you do about it? Here are a few tips to help you navigate conversations at Christmas more easily and enjoy it more:
- Be AWARE of the noise levels around you. If it is too loud for you to hear easily, chances are it’s too loud for everyone else. Is there something you can do about it? If so, don’t be shy! Asking the venue to turn down the volume, switch off or turn down the TV; moving to a quieter spot may seem obvious, but people don’t do this enough. If you don’t ask, you will be stuck with what was already there!
- Know your SURROUNDINGS. Different types make it easier to hear than others. Places with soft furnishings and carpets are easier than tiled floors and steel or marble surfaces. So, if you have a say in venue choice, use your power wisely and productively!
- MOVE CLOSER: If you cannot reduce the volume or change the place, move closer to the person you most want to hear. If you halve the distance between you, their voice will sound much more than twice as loud, which will help.
- Use your EYES more. Watch the person you’re talking to very carefully because you will be lipreading them to some extent subconsciously. And make sure you aren’t staring into a bright light from a window or a sparkling Christmas tree decoration
- SLOW it down. Sound advice for many people — talk a little bit more slowly. It helps a lot more than we realise. If you slow down a bit, the other person will instinctively do the same, and you will both hear more easily. This should be paired with being as clear as you can, mumbling very hard to follow in a noisy environment
Above all being aware of what is happening and being prepared to take steps is a great start. You will very likely be surprised how many people follow your lead!
Talking about this is vitally important, and the more we can do to reduce the associated stigma, the better.
