Aah! Such a trivial thing, but it's playing on my mind.

[werewolf]

I started a language class 2 weeks ago, very happy with the class. It's the right level and there's a nice teacher.

Last week I couldn't go (ill child) and this week I sat in a different place.

All the way through I was conscious of an oldish bloke glancing at me - we were at right angles. At one point he commented in English 'this is difficult' and looked at me as if he expected me to agree with him. It's not difficult for me, but I don't want to say that.

At the end, I was busy checking a word and writing down the hw and he leant forward and said "I look forward to speaking to you next week" and "I would have liked to speak to you this week" blah blah. I agreed (I think!), packed my bag and left.

The thing is, I don't want to be speaking to him all through the class. My hearing isn't perfect and I want to be able to concentrate on the teacher and what people are saying in French.

If I'm sitting next to him next week, what can I say that won't upset him, but makes it clear that I want to concentrate?

I don't know why I'm letting it bother me so much, but at the moment I'm not looking forward to going next week. Help!

Bump.

I think it's fine to say "I'm sorry, my hearing isn't that good, and I really want to concentrate so I can get my money's worth."

Or (what I'd do, in fact) just avoid eye contact, don't smile and give monosyllabic answers

Turn up as close to the class start time as you dare and then check out where he is sitting and sit as far away as possible. I am a wimp though.

The alternative is to put finger on lips and his 'shhhh!' when he tries to speak to you.

Lol, Gretl. I have the feeling he'd ask me why I wasn't smiling.

I'm starting to think getting there early and sitting somewhere else may feature heavily next week!

I'd love to, emsyj, but the class is pretty full and the only space free this week was the one by him.

Maybe that should tell me something?

Oh dear, perhaps he's lonely.

That said, he should shut le fuck up and not talk to people who are concentrating on something else.

I wonder if he's put off other students too.

PMSL @ shut le fuck up

i would get there a little earlier and sit by someone else...avoid the situation and no eye contact

ROFL.

Or you could loudly say

"Pardon? Je suis a TAD DEAF monsieur, ferme la bouche, s'il vous plait."

I wouldn't ignore him and move seats in an obvious way - that is rude and childish. Better to say to him at the start that you don't want to fall behind or talk while working but will talk to him at the end of the class, then just do the polite small talk on the way to your car. The fact that you didn't disagree with his difficult comment works in your favour here. If you make some sort of comment about not being in school now and paying for the class, I think you can go Shh in a nice, sort of jokey, way when he starts up during class.

I do think you should be nice to him though at the end, it's only a few minutes out your day and could mean much more to him. An evening class is quite often the way that lonely people try to get out and socialise and I hate the thought that, although he might lack social skills, it might be taking a lot of effort for him to talk to you in the first place.

Thanks for your thoughts and a damn good laugh. Still sniggering at 'shut le fuck up'.

I feel a lot more relaxed now about going next week.