IS THIS ON?
Etiquette: Using the mic
Up to about 10 years ago Town Meeting voters who wanted to speak to articles up for discussion had to get up, leave their seats and walk to the nearest microphone stand plugged into the PA system and say what was one their minds.

THIS IS CORRECT

Nowadays, we've gotten so spoiled and lazy all we have to do is stand up, hold up our hands and call for one of several cordless microphones being held by roving Town Meeting constables and vote counters on the floor. With microphone in hand, it is then supposed to be quite simple to share our thoughts with the rest of the crowd.

Only it isn't. Despite these new fangled cordless jobbies having just one moving part - the on-off switch - year after year, we wince as speakers over and over again say, "Is this on?" When it isn't, or the microphone is being held too far from the user's mouth, we call out, "Can't hear you," and wait for the learning curve to flatten out, hopefully before the shouting begins, for the speaker to turn it on, hold it closer or talk louder.

Such a simple device - so easy to use - how is it we have such a hard time using it?

THIS IS INCORRECT

Town Clerk Catherine Flanagan Stover is here to help.

She notes that the person who hands you the microphone will have already turned it on by time it is passed to you. But to be sure, wait three seconds, put it to your lips, back it down to your chin and up to your lips again to get the right range and say, "My name is…"

"I would say hold it right below your chin, bump your chin and then bring it back up," she said.

Speak in your normal voice and do not shout. When you're done speaking, hand the mike to the nearest constable, but do not turn it off. Leave that to the professionals.

- Peter B. Brace

THIS IS THE ON/OFF SWITCH DO NOT TOUCH IT