MikeA
I think you brought up a very good point. In the beginning you are nervous enough you really don't need any distractions, not that you need them later either. At least later on you can handle them better because of increased confidence in what you are doing.
When I had words with my wife over distracting me while shaving she wondered what the big deal was. Seems when she was a youngster she watched her grandfather shave with a straight every morning in the kitchen with all the other normal goings on happening at the same time. I told her to bug me when I too had 40+ years experience/confidence in shaving with a straight. Makes a big difference.
Bob