The exciting fayre offered to us all at the Chicago Conference makes me long for the next Conference in Philly starting Aug 2-7 2009. See website: http://www.jewishgen.org/jgsp/2009Conference.htm But one element of the Conference I hope does not recur. That is the ferociously bad manners of some of those attending. At the start of every lecture, those introducing were instructed to remind people to turn off their mobile phones. This was always done. In _every_ meeting I attended, phones rang repeatedly, they were _answered_ (!!) & sometimes long conversations ensued. People also walked in & out of the Meeting noisily during the talk stepped in front of the Projector thus obliterating the Speakers' Power Point presentations unwrapped sweets & bottles, masticating noisily talked & commented during the talk, drowning out the Speaker called out questions, despite being specifically asked to wait until the end talked through the (excellent) films shown The lack of consideration for other attendees, never mind the Speakers, was shocking & universal. I had never thought of Americans as impolite people, but this level of rudeness & crass bad manners, needs to be addressed. Maybe, cell phones should be jammed or confiscated & people ejected from meetings in future. If you know you're attending a talk, turn the phone off. It's not rocket science. Many of us are Senior Citizens, who should know better. I am 67, I need glasses, I often lose the plot. But I do know that when someone else is speaking & I am in an audience, I have to shut up. I hope the Philly Organisers will take note. Miriam Margolyes (born in Britain) 75342.3217@compuserve.com searching: SANDMAN (Grodo & Bialystok)Margolyes (and variants-Indura, Belarus)

I agree with Miriam about the behavior and will add my two cents (American expression). The conference was attended by many people from different countries and I found that this behavior was not at all limited to Americans. It seems that this was across the board and not country specific. I was also a greeter at registration and found people testy and demanding and not at all aware of what it takes to put a conference together. Complaints were heard about the smallest thing. It's also the responsibility of the introducer to make sure questions aren't asked during the conference but I didn't see that happening. Believe it or not, in previous conferences, this interruption went on constantly. I do think that particular problem has improved. However, I don't know what it will take for people to follow instructions and put their phones on vibrate. It was an excellent conference and I hope Miriam will relay her feelings to the next conference planners and the IAJGS who are the co-sponsors. Jackye Sullins > But one element of the Conference I hope does not recur. That is the > ferociously bad manners of some of those attending.

Now Miriam, Please don't sugar-coat it, tell it to us straight :-) Having not attended the conference it's a bit difficult for me to judge, but accept your right to feel put out. As a middle-aged grumpy, myself, I would say all conferences over the years have started to become victims of this sort of behaviour. I went to one for work, in Huddersfield in June, which was not as bad, but certainly "getting there". Maybe the conference organisers should think about lockers and making people check everything into a locker before they enter the "talk". I guess it depends on the venue and whether that is a feasible option. As for Philly, well, I won't be there-I am disappointed that the supposed venue of Paris (the one in France) was put back for Philly. Paris is now 2012 which will be when London has the Olympics (not sure if this is brilliant or absolutely stupid). I am fed up with the conferences being in the USA year on year. Even the Olympics pretends to spread the venues out a bit (don't get me started on the Olympics, BTW). Oh well, doubt TPTB will read this anyway, so no use us moaning here! If I was in charge..... (saunters off mumbling to herself something which ends with ....and we would still have change from a shilling!) Best Sherry But one element of the Conference I hope does not recur. That is the ferociously bad manners of some of those attending. At the start of every lecture, those introducing were instructed to remind people to turn off their mobile phones. This was always done. In _every_ meeting I attended, phones rang repeatedly, they were _answered_ (!!) & sometimes long conversations ensued. <snip>