Boothmate. Compañero de cabina. Kabinenpartner. Collègue de cabine. Coleg de cabină.

No matter what language you say it in, the concept of a boothmate is crucial in conference interpreting. You spend long hours working together, practising over fast-paced speeches, studying technical jargon, and of course, facing unexpected challenges. A good boothmate can make your job easier, your day brighter, and your stress levels manageable. A bad boothmate? Well, let’s just say they can turn an already intense job into a nightmare.

Boothmates matter

Conference interpreting is a team effort. Even if you’re a skilled and experienced interpreter, working alone for extended periods is mentally and physically exhausting, sometimes it also not feasible. A boothmate ensures that you have breaks, can consult on difficult terminology, and can step in if an unexpected challenge arises-for example numbers! Together you work to maintain accuracy and professionalism, ensuring that the audience receives the best possible interpretation.

In conference interpreting, collaboration is essential, and so is adhering to the code of ethics. Confidentiality, mutual respect, and reliability are fundamental principles. A great boothmate upholds these standards, creating an environment where both interpreters can perform at their best without unnecessary stress or conflict.

The dream boothmate

Let’s start with the ideal scenario. The perfect boothmate is someone who arrives early, fully prepared, and ready to collaborate. They bring their own glossaries, water, and even an extra pen in case it- or yours, runs out. They know when to offer a term you’re struggling to find, but they don’t whisper unnecessarily while you’re working. They keep track of time and switch turns like clockwork. They share their snacks and, if you’re lucky, their secret energy-boosting chocolate stash.

They also have the emotional intelligence to read the situation—if you’re drowning in a fast-paced speech, they jump in to help. If you’re doing fine, they don’t overstep. And most importantly, they respect the golden rule of booth etiquette: what happens in the booth, stays in the booth.

The nightmare boothmate

Unfortunately, not all boothmates fit this description. Some arrive late, rushing in just as the event begins, making you handle the first minutes solo. Others show up unprepared, expecting you to carry the weight of research and terminology. And then there’s the infamous 20-minute bathroom breaker—yes, we all need breaks, but disappearing for an entire speaker’s slot? Not cool.

Then there are the whisperers, the ones who think they’re helping but are actually making it impossible for you to concentrate. Or the overconfident boothmate who insists they don’t need preparation, only to fumble through technical jargon while you sit there, mortified.

Let’s not forget the “freelance DJ,” who keeps clicking their pen, shuffling papers, or sipping their drink so loud that it feels like you're interpreting from inside a fish tank. Or the “one-sided collaborator” who happily accepts your glossary but mysteriously never shares their own. And of course, the “last-minute switch,” who suddenly asks you to cover extra time because they “have an urgent call.”

Can you train a boothmate?

Not really. But you can establish some ground rules before the conference. A quick pre-event chat about preparation, turn-taking, and booth etiquette can work wonders. Setting expectations early on minimizes surprises and prevents frustration. If you’re lucky, a less-than-ideal boothmate might actually improve after a bit of (gentle) guidance.

The Verdict

So, does the perfect boothmate exist? Yes and no. First of all, let’s not forget that interpreting is unpredictable, and even the best boothmate can have an off day. The key is to work with someone whose bad habits you can tolerate—and whose strengths complement yours. And when you do find that rare, perfect boothmate, hold onto them. Because in the world of conference interpreting, a great boothmate is worth their weight in gold (or at least in well-prepared glossaries).

And if you haven’t found yours yet? Well, at least you’ll have some entertaining war stories to share over coffee at the next conference.