How to handle a Heckler

I don't care what kind of speaker you are, whether it is in direct sales, consulting or teaching, once in a while you get a heckler. Definition of heckle: heck·le  (hkl)tr.v. heck·led, heck·ling, heck·les: 

To try to embarrass and annoy (someone speaking or performing in public) by questions, gibes, or objections; badger.

The first of my top two favorite "heckled moments" was when I was at a cooking show and someone was constantly questioning the competency of my products. As I was showing the apple peeler, the woman shouted at me from across the room: "That can't work!"  As I disproved her first heckle, she then said "ya, but I just use a knife, it's faster!" And I continued calmly finishing my recipe. Several more comments came and my patience was definitely being put to the test.  She forged on and shouted "I bet it won't work on green apples!" So finally I stopped what I was doing and said to her, "Lisa, come on up here, and finish this recipe for me - I want you to help me show everyone how easy this really is."  After objecting and shaking her head, the crowd turned on her and started pushing her up to the front and saying " ya, Lisa, go ahead!!!" It was clear to me at that moment that I had the crowd on my side. A now red-faced Lisa came to the front of the room and quietly helped me complete the recipe, peeling, coring and slicing the last of the apples. Quickly sitting down after the recipe, I never heard a peep out of her the rest of the show! Solution to heckling situation #1 - make the heckler come to the front of the room.

The second heckler was a man at the show. The only man at the show, mind you - but he was constantly asking questions during the demonstration. "Can that go in the dishwasher? Cause if it can't, I don't want it!"  "Is that big enough to fit in MY microwave - cause if it doesn't, then it's NO GOOD!" The questions kept coming and they all had the same "it's not good if it can't pass my test" kind of ring to it. I just kept trying to calmly answer, and field one at a time. Finally I got the Kitchen Shears out - and as I was snipping something, I said "And they are strong enough to cut through Chicken Bones."  And Tom, the heckler yells out "YES, but can they cut through LEATHER~!???"  And I snapped back, "I don't know! Go get your COAT and we will find out!!!  He stopped heckling me at that point. Solution to heckling situation #2 - heckle back.

It's hard to be patient all the time.My best advice is that even if you snap, do it with a smile on your face and always laugh afterward. Even if you aren't enjoying it, people will think you are!