I'm taking a class once a week and really loving the new skills I'm learning. My problem? An older lady in the class NEVER listens to anything the instructor is saying because she's too busy telling us about her kids, or her dogs, or her kids' dogs. So when we start doing the hands-on parts of the class, she has no idea what's going on and the poor. patient instructor has to repeat everything she just told us.

Our instructor is a very nice woman who just doesn't seem to know how to tell her that she's monopolizing the class and keeping the instructor from devoting attention to other students.

I know I tend to get irritated with people rather easily, but it's getting to the point that other people in the class sigh a little bit every time this woman opens her mouth. We've tried changing the subject back to the class and even hinting to this woman that her chatter makes it difficult to hear the instructor. Nothing works!! Venting helps. but do you have any other suggestions?

She may just need to interrupt her by stating "We may have to listen to that later as we're about to move onto something new and exciting tonight in our class". I don't think entertaining her conversation when she knows she monopolizing the entire conversation is the way to handle this lady. She'll have to stand firm with her and may have to interrupt the convo if the lady doesn't get subtle hints.

I assume some one has said to her "we're here to learn about cakes right now, but perhaps we could chat after class..."

I think the next step is for everyone to simply ignore her... walk away if you can, turn away if you can't. Don't respond, don't look at her, don't acknowledge (sp?) her chatter...

Perhaps you can also speak to the instructor before class... if she can make a general speech (not singling anyone out) "while getting to know each other is nice, we do have limited time to learn these techniques" sort of thing, perhaps this would help?

Is there a polite way to ask the instructor to do that? She's not really a confrontational type person. It may not be bothering her, but it's driving the rest of us nuts.

I know this may be uncomfortable, but the direct approach usually works for me. There is usually a polite way to tell someone to "SHUT UP!". Simply say to her that you would love to hear about her family, her dogs, her family's dogs, etc. But at another time. Tell her you that each of you has paid for this class and that we all owe it to each other and the Instructor especially, to pay complete and full attention to the instruction as it is being given, that way no one misses anything. Then when it gets to the hands on portion, you might all get to learn a little something extra, because you finish the class a bit earlier. If that doesn't work, then you may just have to be blunt. Let me know how this turns out...

I would very politely, but firmly say, I would like to hear what you have to say after class. Right now I need to pay attention to what the teacher is saying. And turn around and focus your full attention on the teacher. This way you aren't shooting shooting the woman down, but still letting her know "now isn't the time for her chatter."
I've found that these chatterbox types have a tendency to get huffy regardless of how nicely you tell them - simply because they aren't getting their way and aren't the center of attention.

we had one of those in our class. my instructor was a little more fiesty I guess....and she just made a statement at the beginning of class one day that we were moving a little slow and in order to keep up w/the lessons all personal conversations could be discussed towards the end of class, while we were decorating our cakes. she was nice about it, but the point was made and it didn't appear anyone was offended (even the chatterbox). if they were they never said anything.

Our instructor is a minister's wife. Not to stereotype or anything, but she's nicer than most people. I just don't see her wacking this woman with a fondant roller and yelling, "Shut your cakehole!"

my instructor was DEFINETLY NOT a minister's wife. but she was very polite about it and since she did it at the beginning of class before she started teaching.....she didn't single anyone out. She made it seem more like we needed to work a little faster or we may not get to learn everything for that class.

I had one in my class as well! I just tried to be a sweet as possible and turned it around on myself and told her "shhhhhh! with my hand to my lips (with a smile of course) and apologized to her that I'm so sorry but I must be "challenged" or something because I couldn't hear what the teacher was saying and I very much needed to listen as I was having some trouble with the techniques. Maybe it was just her but it did seem to work. Hope she catches on! Good luck.

I feel sorry for you, but then again, think of how lonely this person must be if all she can talk about is her dogs or her familys dogs. However, you might want to politely tell her that you paid your money to listen to the instructor and not her and if she would like to repay you for what the course has cost you, by all means you would be happy to hear about her sad and pittiful life. (Sometimes you have to be impolite because politeness just goes over some peoples heads!)

Debbi

Funny. My class is just the opposite. We are all too scared to talk. We're already overwhelmed that we're afraid to sneeze or we'll miss something. Plus, my instructor is one of those that smiles alot, but gets her way. You know, the type that can say, "Wow, you're an idiot" and still have that big smile plastered on her face.

But, honestly, the instructor may be nice, but she's not productive. So, she either needs to be the person running the class, or needs to be told that she needs to step up. This woman is monopolizing way too much time. She sounds like one of those sweet women that finds classes to take so she can have some company. It doesn't seem fair to yell at the poor woman or be hostile to her and make her feel bad, so the instructor just needs to say, "Hey, I need everyone to pay attention now. We don't have alot of time, and you have all spent your money to learn something, and I want to be effective." Period. There's nice, and there's there just la la land.

Tell the instructor she needs to do something or you will all find the next person up to complain to.

Good luck.
Angie

I do feel for you-one of my INSTRUCTORS was like that-drove me nuts-very small class so alot of her chatter. Needless to say, when time to schedule next class-didn't schedule with her. Nice lady but...
anyway-I would move closer to the instructor-or say "I'm sorry to interrupt but I am having a difficult time hearing you back here-anyone else?" I am sure you won't be alone? Then I would turn to the lady and say-I don't know how you do it-I guess some people don't have to hear to learn..

I didn't know my MIL was taking cake classes (J/K)...she's been at my house for 2 months and shows no signs of leaving. I've missed this past weekends Wedding Cake Challenge and the Fire/Ice Challenges due to her chatter. Sorry to get off the subject, if it was me I'd just move closer to the instructor and try to ignore her. I agree, she must be really lonely. Sigh...

DEBSUEWOO- I thought may be she was lonely, too, but she never wants to hear anthing about us. In fact, early on, when another woman was trying to tell a story about her son, Chatterbox interupted and actually said, "I was still talking about me."

I don't think she's lonely. I think she's rude.

NANNI- If my instructor was behaving that way, I'd ask for my money back.

Do people keep acknowledging her? What if everyone just ignored her. I mean the kind of thing little kids do. The complete silent treatment, no head nods, no glances, no Uh-huhs, nothing. I think if is feels a little outcasted maybe she would bet the hint.

I had something similar at a class one time. In the end I said, quite politely, 'with all due respect I'm here to learn about xxxxx. Unfortunately, I can't because of your constant interruptions. Maybe we can discuss it when the class has finished.' She didn't like it, but it shut her up.

Alternatively, you can just be as rude as she is and tell her to shut up.

Oh my gosh...you all are halarious....after reading all these previous posts, I feel very prepared to take a cake class!!! I am LOL..........

It's the instructor's responsibility to control the class. You are paying for this instruction. Besides ignoring Ms. Blabbermouth....you might just mention privately to the teacher that you are having a time paying attention due to all of the extra chattering. If she doesn't take control~ you deserve a portion of your class fee back.

You guys are all way too nice, I think I would just simply say. Please stop talking I can't hear the instructor and I am here to learn the techniques.

She's rude, eh? Go for the jungular! The next time she starts talking the whole class turns to her and yells, "Shut up!" Bet that would get the message across.

I agree with Euphoriabakery, but I'd tell her to shut her mouth that I can't hear & I can't learn! How many weeks have you been in this class? If she's all you can hear then you have probably missed a lot of info from the instructor & the other decorator's. Girl, tell her to hush. I wouldn't put up with that. I wouldn't even talk to the instructor, sounds like she's too nice to say anything anyway. You can handle it. Like someone else said others will probably speak up too. You don't have to take that~

You paid money to learn. Do not let her control the class with her endless droning about blah-blah. 'Subtle' and 'hinting' do not work with these types. Tell her to shut up. I bet you will have a lot of support.

I had trouble with some chatterers in one of my classes. I got everyone's attention and said "When I'm talking in my teacher voice (and used my addressing-a-crowd volume) no one else should be talking. And when I am using THIS voice (and I spoke conversationally to a student near me as an example) "YOU all can talk."

That cleared up the problem for the rest of the class.

But then again, I'm not the shy type, either.

Deanna

Dang.. That's too bad that you paid for a class That you can't learn in because of a blabber mouth.

I would suggest calling the instructor and letting her know that you feel as though you are being cheated because she does not have full control of her class.

If the behavior keeps up in the next class simply pack your stuff up. Let the instructor and the rest of the class know that that you are going to go speak to the store manager about a refund because your time is being wasted and you are not getting your money's worth because Ms. Blabbermouth keeps on wasting class time.

I know it seems a bit mean, but considering she has been asked nicely to shut up. Then you need to do something a bit more drastic.


Also, the rest of you can try to sit together in a group and take up space forcing her to sit alone. This might force her to focus the course and not chat as much. Sounds so kindergarten-ish doesn't it? LOL...


Ummm.... duct tape works wonders too!!!!!