I'm in training for my new job and the training lasts 2 months. There are 30 employees in the class, and we sit at a computer lab for 8 hours with only one break. It can be very hard to focus as we usually don't get to use the programs we are being trained on and just listen to the instructor speak or watch a video.
Since day one there have been some people in the class who bring fidget wheels (aka fidget spinners).
The instructor is aware people play with these in class and seems alright with it. I certainly find 8 hours of lecture hard to concentrate and don't blaim people for using these. Normally I don't mind but the guy beside me just got a new one and it makes a terrible noise. I cannot focus. The instructor chooses where we sit and I cannot move. I find this guy [very helpful to study with][2] but it's really annoying me how his toy makes noise in class. I don't think the instructor can hear it as he's too far away. Normally things like this don't bug me (for example I can stand pen clicking when most people lose it) but this sound really gets under my skin when I'm trying to learn. I would like to remain on good terms with this person as possible.
What should I do? I see two options:
- tell the instructor I can't concentrate and ask him to address the whole class about their toys
- speak to the person beside me directly, but how exactly should I phrase it? I could be direct and just say "the noise that thing makes really irritates me" or less direct "could you put some wd40 on that so it stops making that noise?"
PS For some reason I can't add more than one link, is this intended?
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