During a recent interview in her office, Dr. Stinchcomb paused to answer one such call.
Sugato Chakravarty, who lectures about personal finance, pauses to answer those that have been "voted up" by his audience.
"We're O.K. -- we don't starve, at least," he said, pausing to answer his mobile telephone.
Putting down her tools, she paused to answer a question about why recognition has now come her way.
But as Woods paused to answer the question, it was as if he was considering all the ways he could respond, or might respond.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Trump held at least two impromptu news conferences as he wandered around his hotel, pausing to answer reporters' questions with relish.
"We don't have to downgrade one person to uplift another," said Ms. Stoddard, who barely paused to answer the implicit question.
"People who move here, who have not lived here all their life, come to" he said, and then paused to answer his cellphone.
The glitzier newcomers, with their expanded menus, require more waiters passing through more often, with frequent pauses to answer questions and take special requests.
Ms. Jiang, in blue hospital pajamas, dug happily into the yellow flesh of a melon with a plastic spoon, then paused to answer a question about her detention.
