MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > are you good at public speaking?

are you good at public speaking?


no.

reply

Yes

reply

it terrifies me for some reason.

reply

That's the same for lots of people, you might be in the majority

If I agree with the message I can go on at length

Musical performers impress me a lot though, I know some musicians and they claim not to know how they sound onstage...that would likely freak me out

reply

I read somewhere that people are generally more afraid of public speaking than death. So at a funeral, most would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy.

reply

i can see that. 😊

reply

I've heard this, too. I took a speech class when I went back to school a few years ago. Somehow, I managed to get an A in that class, but I had a really good teacher who was great at putting people at ease. I guess all in all, it wasn't too bad giving a speech to about 25-30 people. In front of a thousand? No way!

Edit: a "speech" class is the same as "public speaking" here.

reply

I swear I heard Seinfeld say that during stand up on one one of the episodes.

reply

He did. It's part of his old standup and is great. Says something along the lines of this means that most people would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy.

reply

you just got to be a false prophet to the people, give em some kool-aid

reply

Well in college first day of class the professor hands out the syllabus, it says final presentation to class at end of semester...I went directly to drop the class, so no, not at all. I have gotten a little better now.

reply

i had to take a business communications class in college. i was a long long course. i think i got 60%

reply

I don't get nervous in front of an audience but my voice, throat and lungs let me down. So all things considered no I'm not.

reply

The very few times I have been required to do so, I did a good job, but had terrific "stage fright."

The best way to deal with performance anxiety is to rehearse, rehearse, rehearse, until it is so pat you don't even need note cards (which is fine to put in front of you anyway).

reply

I hate the first few moments, keeping tiny routines helps a lot. Earning some extra money as a tourist guide in my youth certainly had a positive effect. In general, I really enjoy presenting something interesting.

However, I'd never yell to crowds at funfairs to sell Grandpa's special snake oil.

reply

At one time I had to give presentations to large groups but that's been 20+ years ago, so I'm probably pretty rusty now.

reply

Yes. I do get nervous beforehand. But I've been performing since I was a kid so I am used to it. I also tend to speak mostly in front of audiences who are not hostile. Although some of the story slams I've done not so much.

I've also done grown ups read things they wrote as kids a few times. I really hope they get back to it. If they are ever in your area, go. It's a really fun night.

reply

My oldest brother is very good. A teacher, coach and mayor of a small town. Imagine a Newfoundland Bill Clinton.

reply

Accent or no accent?

reply

he still has an accent. he never moved to toronto with us in the early 70s. he and his girlfriend got married at 20 and traveled NF and Labrador as teachers.

reply

Nice!

reply

no.
i might be the worst at it.
of anyone.
the few times i've had to do it as an adult, i've had tremors, hand shaking.
pure misery.
i will do anything i can to avoid ever going through that again.

reply