Not a problem since I was about 15. I have a small gap between my two front lower teeth. When I had to get up in front of class to do a report (or anything), my mouth would become totally dried out. My tongue would get stuck between my teeth. I wouldn't be able to speak, which made my mouth drier. Totally dehydration of mouth but tear ducts worked ferociously well!
In my freshmen English class I had to read the lines from a play on a little stage built into the classroom. As expected: fear, dry, stuck, tears! I ran out into the hallway, crying all the way.
The best teacher in the whole world, Mr. John R. Hall, joined me in the hallway.
"Hey, Young! What's going on?"
I explained. He chuckled a bit and gave me the best advice ever.
"If that ever happens again, stand your ground and loudly exclaim, 'I'm sorry, I can't talk right now because my tongue is stuck between my teeth!' Wiggling your tongue around will moisten your mouth, the audience will laugh (which audiences love to do) and all will be fine."
Next time I read in front of class, I did as he instructed, thought it sounded more like "empth thorreh empth cnnth thawk ut nmmm, mmm tong ith thtuk buthteen mmm thteeth..."! You get the picture.
Sure enough, my tongue slipped right and I could talk. The audience had the tears in their eyes from laughing, I was laughing so hard, I had good tears. Since then, I can talk in front of groups from ten to two hundred, (and have) and I love it. I love making people laugh, I love sharing. I ended up being a Public Relations Director and a Leadership Trainer for a national health care provider.
What a great story, Toni! And what a great teacher. Some are so gifted at doing that job. They do leave a mark on us. A positive one. So glad he was able to help you like that. I've had to speak in public and even though it gets easier as you continue to speak, it is not my favourite thing to do. I avoid it as much as possible!
Doesn’t bother me even a little bit. As introverted as I am, I don’t mind speaking in front of people at all. In fact, I have to be mindful to not talk everyone’s ear off. In college we sat a rectangle with our name tags in front of us. I wrote ZIP IT! on the back to remind me to only share 10% of my stories.
It's not my favourite thing in the world, but I can and did do it for work on occasion. What really helped me gain confidence was attending a multi-day conference once where I watched an endless parade of professionals give gawdawful talks using absolutely atrocious powerpoint presentations. It made me realize that "Jeez, I might not be the best public speaker in the world but at least I can do better than THAT."
Doesn't bother me. I was a debater in high school. I can talk to anybody, whether it's an individual or a group. I'm sure plenty of people (especially my kids) wish I would shut up.
I loved debating in high school, and I certainly don't mind speaking in small groups. But getting in front of a lot of people and speaking...ACK...not for me!
It's been a bittersweet experience because after that, I enrolled in writing glasses, that my uncle and paid for. Well, when it was time to read our stories in class, most people were scared to do it. I wasn't. I raised my hand and went first. The reason that I wasn't is because I'd already done the reading for my dead uncle and to me, when it came time to read in class I was like, easy. Done. Let's do it.
I love this story. And I love that you had such an amazing relationship with your uncle. My two girls are like that with my brother. It is so heartwarming.
Maybe surprisingly, I can do it and have done it. The hardest part is the first 30-60 seconds, then it rolls along all right.
The last time I spoke, though (and it was only to ask questions at a public session at which I was in the minority opinion and quite worried about speaking up, the hall was hot and I had to stand in line to ask my questions and then stand for the answers, and I started to feel faint. Ended up going outside in the winter cold before the buzz would go away. Now I am wary of putting myself in a public speaking situation again!
Not a problem at all, unless it is personally emotional. I can't speak at funerals because I go into that high pitched squeaky crying voice. But anything else is fine. -Jenn
I've sang basically all my life, so singing for an audience and saying a few words is totally natural. But actually speaking for any length of time can be kind of scary. I remember the first time I really spoke to an audience--at a primary I got up to speak for the candidate I was in favor of. I thought I would be fine since I've been a singer for so long, but I was shaking! Today I had the opportunity to speak with a high school journalism class. I was nervous, and kind of scared...but once I got into it, it was a lot of fun!
It can be a lot of fun, Bethany! I had to do a presentation in front of my computer programming class when I was in my 30s. It was scary when I started but after a couple of minutes I had a lot of fun. So I know I can do it but I prefer not to. Nice to see you here. I hope you are doing well!
Never. lol...in high school I would have panic attacks at the thought of speaking in public. I was never good at it. At Concordia I actually DROPPED any class where I had to be part of a group or do any kind of presentation!!!
Ever since I was a kid in school I dreaded, and I mean DREADED, talking in public/class. I would get so worked up when 'my turn came' that I would almost collapse with fear. this was mostly not seen by anyone but I sure as hell thought it would be obvious. Today I am a lot more confident. Took me a while though. I am better 'behind the scenes' person.
"Behind the scenes" person. I like that, Jim! Pretty much summarizes my preference, too. I really don't like being in the spotlight. I'd rather work quietly in the background.
It's not something I would ever particularly seek out. I'm quite introverted and not comfortable in groups. But it doesn't especially make me nervous, assuming a know the topic well enough to have confidence in what I'm saying.
I was in Toastmasters years ago, and I do recommend it for anyone who needs to do public speaking and is nervous about it. It provides opportunities to practice in front of a friendly audience, and can help you get rid of habits like saying "uh" and "er" during pauses which convey insecurity to listeners.
I've never heard of Toastmasters. Or at least I don't think so because it does sound a little familiar. It does sound like a great idea. It would certainly help with putting you at ease if you have to make a presentation!
I agree with kitty! Scary stuff, no thank you.
ReplyDeleteWe understand each other :)
DeleteIt is scary
ReplyDeleteIt is!
DeleteI agree with the cat and you, Martha. I avoid it at all costs.
ReplyDeletebetty
Not my favourite thing, Betty!
DeleteNot a problem since I was about 15. I have a small gap between my two front lower teeth. When I had to get up in front of class to do a report (or anything), my mouth would become totally dried out. My tongue would get stuck between my teeth. I wouldn't be able to speak, which made my mouth drier. Totally dehydration of mouth but tear ducts worked ferociously well!
ReplyDeleteIn my freshmen English class I had to read the lines from a play on a little stage built into the classroom. As expected: fear, dry, stuck, tears! I ran out into the hallway, crying all the way.
The best teacher in the whole world, Mr. John R. Hall, joined me in the hallway.
"Hey, Young! What's going on?"
I explained. He chuckled a bit and gave me the best advice ever.
"If that ever happens again, stand your ground and loudly exclaim, 'I'm sorry, I can't talk right now because my tongue is stuck between my teeth!' Wiggling your tongue around will moisten your mouth, the audience will laugh (which audiences love to do) and all will be fine."
Next time I read in front of class, I did as he instructed, thought it sounded more like "empth thorreh empth cnnth thawk ut nmmm, mmm tong ith thtuk buthteen mmm thteeth..."! You get the picture.
Sure enough, my tongue slipped right and I could talk. The audience had the tears in their eyes from laughing, I was laughing so hard, I had good tears. Since then, I can talk in front of groups from ten to two hundred, (and have) and I love it. I love making people laugh, I love sharing. I ended up being a Public Relations Director and a Leadership Trainer for a national health care provider.
Thank all there is for teachers like Mr. Hall.
What a great story, Toni! And what a great teacher. Some are so gifted at doing that job. They do leave a mark on us. A positive one. So glad he was able to help you like that. I've had to speak in public and even though it gets easier as you continue to speak, it is not my favourite thing to do. I avoid it as much as possible!
DeleteDoesn’t bother me even a little bit. As introverted as I am, I don’t mind speaking in front of people at all. In fact, I have to be mindful to not talk everyone’s ear off. In college we sat a rectangle with our name tags in front of us. I wrote ZIP IT! on the back to remind me to only share 10% of my stories.
ReplyDeleteHAHAHA! That is funny, Birdie :)
DeleteIt's not my favourite thing in the world, but I can and did do it for work on occasion. What really helped me gain confidence was attending a multi-day conference once where I watched an endless parade of professionals give gawdawful talks using absolutely atrocious powerpoint presentations. It made me realize that "Jeez, I might not be the best public speaker in the world but at least I can do better than THAT."
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty cool way of looking at it. But I still won't do it! LOL Glad you found a way that works for you!
DeleteYup, that is me too :)
ReplyDeleteWe're certainly not alone in this! :)
DeleteDoesn't bother me. I was a debater in high school. I can talk to anybody, whether it's an individual or a group. I'm sure plenty of people (especially my kids) wish I would shut up.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I loved debating in high school, and I certainly don't mind speaking in small groups. But getting in front of a lot of people and speaking...ACK...not for me!
DeleteFirst I read it as "Public Spanking". Gosh, my mind!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely hate it, well I've never done it. I do speak on a mic when I dj but only a few words and no one can hear me anyway. :D
BAHAHAHAHA! This comment made me laugh out loud :) Maybe I should ask about public spanking at some point. Just to see the reactions of all :)
DeleteI could do it if I had to, but would certainly not volunteer!
ReplyDeleteBut if you were chosen, you'd be fine!
DeleteI did it once when my uncle died.
ReplyDeleteI wrote and read what I wrote.
Cried the entire time.
Very, very glad I did it.
Aw, that is nice. Straight from the heart.
DeleteIt's been a bittersweet experience because after that, I enrolled in writing glasses, that my uncle and paid for. Well, when it was time to read our stories in class, most people were scared to do it. I wasn't. I raised my hand and went first. The reason that I wasn't is because I'd already done the reading for my dead uncle and to me, when it came time to read in class I was like, easy. Done. Let's do it.
DeleteSo that's kinda bittersweet in a way.
I love this story. And I love that you had such an amazing relationship with your uncle. My two girls are like that with my brother. It is so heartwarming.
DeleteMaybe surprisingly, I can do it and have done it. The hardest part is the first 30-60 seconds, then it rolls along all right.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I spoke, though (and it was only to ask questions at a public session at which I was in the minority opinion and quite worried about speaking up, the hall was hot and I had to stand in line to ask my questions and then stand for the answers, and I started to feel faint. Ended up going outside in the winter cold before the buzz would go away. Now I am wary of putting myself in a public speaking situation again!
Oh, that sounds like a stressful situation! I hope it doesn't discourage you from speaking again.
DeleteNope, I hate speaking in front of crowds.
ReplyDeleteYou and me both, John!
DeleteNot a problem at all, unless it is personally emotional. I can't speak at funerals because I go into that high pitched squeaky crying voice. But anything else is fine. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteI know that voice, Jenn! That's what would happen to me speaking at a funeral where I was emotionally involved.
DeleteI made my living as a public speaker. My speaking was off the cuff. So I don't mind public speaking. Am I good at it ? that's another consideration.
ReplyDeleteHAHA! Perhaps you should ask the people that you spoke to :)
DeleteI've sang basically all my life, so singing for an audience and saying a few words is totally natural. But actually speaking for any length of time can be kind of scary. I remember the first time I really spoke to an audience--at a primary I got up to speak for the candidate I was in favor of. I thought I would be fine since I've been a singer for so long, but I was shaking! Today I had the opportunity to speak with a high school journalism class. I was nervous, and kind of scared...but once I got into it, it was a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteIt can be a lot of fun, Bethany! I had to do a presentation in front of my computer programming class when I was in my 30s. It was scary when I started but after a couple of minutes I had a lot of fun. So I know I can do it but I prefer not to. Nice to see you here. I hope you are doing well!
DeleteNever. lol...in high school I would have panic attacks at the thought of speaking in public. I was never good at it. At Concordia I actually DROPPED any class where I had to be part of a group or do any kind of presentation!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, that's me, Rain! LOL Presentations are definitely not my thing!
DeleteDid enough of it in my working life, didn’t like it then and don’t like it now.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Linda! I don't think I will ever like it.
DeleteEver since I was a kid in school I dreaded, and I mean DREADED, talking in public/class.
ReplyDeleteI would get so worked up when 'my turn came' that I would almost collapse with fear.
this was mostly not seen by anyone but I sure as hell thought it would be obvious.
Today I am a lot more confident. Took me a while though. I am better 'behind the scenes' person.
"Behind the scenes" person. I like that, Jim! Pretty much summarizes my preference, too. I really don't like being in the spotlight. I'd rather work quietly in the background.
DeleteIt's not something I would ever particularly seek out. I'm quite introverted and not comfortable in groups. But it doesn't especially make me nervous, assuming a know the topic well enough to have confidence in what I'm saying.
ReplyDeleteI was in Toastmasters years ago, and I do recommend it for anyone who needs to do public speaking and is nervous about it. It provides opportunities to practice in front of a friendly audience, and can help you get rid of habits like saying "uh" and "er" during pauses which convey insecurity to listeners.
I've never heard of Toastmasters. Or at least I don't think so because it does sound a little familiar. It does sound like a great idea. It would certainly help with putting you at ease if you have to make a presentation!
DeleteSorry my answer is going to be quite short!
ReplyDeleteI can do it and have done it …
All the best Jan
No need to apologize, Jan. Short and sweet!
DeleteOnce I am up before the audience, I am fine. It is the worry ahead of time I can not stand!
ReplyDeleteThat is great, Nancy! At least you can do it once you're up there.
DeleteI could be a famous well paid stand up comic if I only could only stand up! LOL!
ReplyDeleteLOL Well you're certainly doing well here as a comedian! LOL
Deletei did it few tomes during my job as teacher and then as principal
ReplyDeletei think i am mad and if there is topic i can speak it with my own opinion no matter how much the audience is
but yes when it was my first time in school i could feel my legs shaking
It is not always easy to do but sometimes it's necessary, especially when we should speak up!
Delete