I’ve never been in one of those, but when I was in the seminary we had a 30-day silent retreat. After a while it can really get to you. The novice master would play classical music during meals and it was all we could do to keep from cracking up laughing.
Reminds me of a great old joke. You may have heard it:
A young man enters a zen retreat, with very austere rules for achieving enlightenment.All the aspirants were to remain silent at all times, except for once a month, when they would meet individually with the masters. At this meeting, they would be allowed to say two words—and only two.
After the first month, the young man went to see the masters.
"Ah, young man," they said. "What have you learned so far in our monastery?"
The young man, carefully choosing his two words, answered, "Bed hard."
The masters chuckled, said nothing, and sent him back to his duties.
The following month, the masters again inquired what the young man was learning.
After some minutes, he bowed and said, "Bad food."
This time, some of the masters frowned, and others sighed; but they waved him back to his contemplation.
When the third month arrived, the masters eyed him carefully, and asked, "Young man, what are your two words today?"
"I quit!" said the young man.
"Well, that's no great surprise," said the head monk. "You've done nothing but complain ever since you got here."