How many of you have felt victimised in lectures by banal mutterings about mentally and physically inept states caused by the intake of copious amounts of fermented vegetable drinks; when vulgar members of the opposite sex become curiously attractive and traffic cones appear to serve a higher purpose atop of bus stops and heads.

I would like to admit that I am guilty of many humorous drinking offences, once climbing a “prolific example of modern artwork,” as the head of security and student ancillary services at my home university called it. This was a failed attempt to display my drunken tomfoolery to as many people as possible, swiftly being apprehended by security officers. However, along with thousands of other people, I am able to limit stories from spewing from my mouth to the periods before and after class is in session.

How about the audible conversations on surprisingly random topics ranging from the embarrassment of having to use SPF 15 sunscreen after a unsuccessful relationship with the midday sun to how owning a cutely insignificant dog is the new vogue.

Unfortunately, it is rare that people exercise their right to hush noisemakers, despite the internal and consuming fury that is often perpetuated by the rudeness of others. People should not feel embarrassed or scared about speaking out against the offender. If they do, they are probably voicing the annoyance of many, who then feel gratified by the fact that someone made a stand. This lack of action is particularly concerning when students, their parents and taxpayers – through financial aid provided by enlistees of the armed forces – are paying increasingly large sums of money for college education. How do you then determine loss caused by distractions when the average quarter costs $2,000?

A good analogy to use is going to the cinema nowadays. Filmgoers pay extortionate amounts to go and see increasingly repetitive, clich