Talking short is harder than talking long. I had eight two-minute talks to give as my part of a Boston Pops concert last week, and I worked hard to get it right. I practiced in my hotel room, on stage before people arrived, and then did it for real — in front of a sold-out house. Each time I introduced a piece, it was an opportunity to show off the value of a tour guide who can set the scene to help you appreciate European culture.

I was reluctant to distract myself by playing with my phone,...