How do you handle irrelevant comments during meetings?

Question

Once a month we have to do a tedious 8 hour long in-service. There are presentations that range from infectious disease to bus safety and a ton of other subjects. It's hard enough to have to sit on hard benches for that long, but there are employees who are always making comments and asking stupid questions that have nothing to do with the information given. I've long said that our in-services could be a half day if it weren't for all this wasted time. It drives me crazy. How do you handle this?

2011-02-19T22:27:18Z

I've tried making it my meeting, but any comments made by anyone is like adding fuel to the fire. I've started volunteering to take random drug tests just so I can have an excuse to leave. We've had 30 minute presentations last as long as 2 1/2 hours.

Rorydee · Accepted Answer

I would ask the instructor a question that took the conversation back to the topic, even if you already know the answer.

Billie M · Answer

Sounds chaotic and not properly facilitated.
Ground Rules: Write them and stick to them. 
Presentations will be NO longer than 1/2 hour and will be stopped at that point.
Give members a specific time slot (before lunch) and or/ before PM tea break for questions that they have jotted down.
Assign a facilitator to the day who can intervene and be assertive to say (We'll address this issue during Q time or ask the member to jot down and use at Q time. Or say "that Q is very relevant to the topic being discussed at this time.
Or write to HR about waste of resources 
 may wish Members wont disturb during lectures . Any , and will be stopped at . Members will jot down any The answer is

Anonymous · Answer

Sometimes I smile, nod, and give one word answers. Other times I just stare at them and say/do nothing if it's just a comment that doesn't require an answer.

I also hate unnecessary small talk.

There might be a better way to handle such situations than what I do.

Anonymous · Answer

For me i just used to be insensitive in this kind of situation. I always trying to used my patience to handle it, in that way I can show that I'am serious in answering them, so they will stop answering more.

Tigger · Answer

Arm yourself with lots of relevant questions, speak up and make it YOUR meeting!

How do you handle irrelevant comments during meetings?

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