How do you feel about: Public Speaking

Bond · 07-18-2007, 03:49 PM

I was just curious as to what everyone thinks of public speaking here.

Personally, I used to hate it, until I had to start doing a lot of it, and now I enjoy it. It's a natural rush of sorts.

BlueFire · 07-18-2007, 03:51 PM

I hate it...

but when it comes to work related stuff, I just do it, even if I come out awkward as fuck.

but I still don't like it. :P

Teuthida · 07-18-2007, 03:56 PM

I hate it. Went so far as to be an elective mute for a while. It really made others feel uncomfortable though so gave that up. For presentations I would be unintentionally sarcastic. It generated laughs but don't always want that when the subject matter doesn't call for it...especially answering questions by the professor in that manner. Would have to apologize immediately after. Still can't open my mouth in normal conversation without uttering a sarcastic remark. So yeah, no like.

Angrist · 07-18-2007, 04:41 PM

I'm still pretty nervous, but I like it. Especially when you really have a good story prepared, that's very important. See it like this: you know a lot more about the topic than your audience does and you want to tell them the interesting stuff. Even when you don't know everything, just tell them you don't know but that you can look it up for them.

TheGame · 07-18-2007, 04:54 PM

I'm kinda like angrist.. but I like being on the stage, the nerviousness will always be there, just have to fight it lol. It only sucks when I'm put on the spot with no time to prepare, or if I was too lazy to prepare correctly in the first place.

Professor S · 07-18-2007, 05:25 PM

Well considering its my job, I kind of dig it.

DeathsHand · 07-18-2007, 05:59 PM

I can't even handle private speaking... Can't think of what to say, can't focus, can't form the words, my brain gets too far ahead of my mouth and I stumble and mumble and stutter and mutter and generally appear nervous and confused...

And that's when I'm having a 1 on 1 conversation with someone I know. Win.

Last time I was in a position to do a bit of "public speaking" was back in 6th grade when we were reading book reports... I refused to read mine in front of the class, and opted to read it privately to the teacher after school for a penalty of a whole grade level.

Typhoid · 07-18-2007, 07:23 PM

I personally liked public speaking.
I'd take it as a chance to make subtle pot-shots at classmates.

The Germanator · 07-18-2007, 07:29 PM

Yeah, I'm pretty close to Deathshand in this regard. I'm not that good at speaking in a close group of friends, so I'm definitely not good at at in front of a bunch of strangers. I had to do a report on the death penalty back in 7th or 8th grade it and sucked. At one point I completely forgot my memorized speech (no note cards allowed, screw you Ms. Murvine), and just bumbled for about 1.5 minutes. Eventually I finished and got a B or something, but it was a total bummer.

BreakABone · 07-18-2007, 07:34 PM

Well....

I don't know personally.

I can talk in front of people I know with no problems.
I can be a complete and utter idiot in public as well and cut what people dub "promos"

As far as school and strangers go, I hate doing it but when have to just suck it up. And generally from what I hear speak really quickly through the presentation but get the gist of it.

KillerGremlin · 07-18-2007, 07:41 PM

love it, although it's not easy...
i can't do note cards and stuff, i do best when i either improvise or memorize what i'm talking about

Crash · 07-18-2007, 11:24 PM

I always love public speaking even though I'm kinda scared of it.

People say I'm good at it, but I don't know how true that is. If you want a decent job anytime in your life, I'd recommend taking at least 1 public speaking classes. If only for getting over your fear.

DeathsHand · 07-18-2007, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash

If you want a decent job anytime in your life, I'd recommend taking at least 1 public speaking classes.

Enlightening.
Should a person take them before or after they progress their education past an 8th grade level?
Are they free, and if not, do they accept food stamps or make exceptions on the grounds of pity?
Can I sign myself up over the internet, or do I have to apply in person? Because that could be a problem.

Perfect Stu · 07-20-2007, 07:39 PM

Assuming I know and care about the material, I enjoy it.

However, once I had to give a 30 minute presentation on presentations. It was boring, I never bothered to look up much material, and had to BS most of it. I managed to convince most of the audience that I knew at least some of what I was talking about, but it wasn't fun. At all.

KillerGremlin · 07-20-2007, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfect Stu

Assuming I know and care about the material, I enjoy it.

However, once I had to give a 30 minute presentation on presentations. It was boring, I never bothered to look up much material, and had to BS most of it. I managed to convince most of the audience that I knew at least some of what I was talking about, but it wasn't fun. At all.

I don't like making up a set route for speaking. Same with debating. I prefer to get educated on the subject, and work with what I got as I go. I can't stand power point presentations, they SUCK. Maybe 1 in 400 people can make an interesting power point presentation. Teachers that use power point suck. We were forced to do a couple power point projects throughout my precollege schooling. Presentation day was headphone nap day.