# Any public speaking advice for someone really nervous around crowds?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-public-speaking-advice-for-someone-really-nervous-around-crowds/624746>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [June 10, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-public-speaking-advice-for-someone-really-nervous-around-crowds/624746 "2012-06-10T18:53:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-public-speaking-advice-for-someone-really-nervous-around-crowds/624746/41 "2012-06-13T18:37:05Z")

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> [@yorick73](#):
>
> Since you are so opposed to drugs may I suggest anger management classes 🙂
> 
> Look, the people I have known who have taken a pill before a first-time presentation actually went to the doctor and had the medicine prescribed. I’m not talking about bumming some benzos from your buddy. For many people the medication will take the edge off of a very stressful first-time experience and build confidence. So take your sanctimonious attitue elsewhere.

This is so wrong it’s laughable. Unless the speaker-to-be has a diagnosed anxiety disorder, drugs are not the answer. Probably not the answer even then.

You want to be comfortable in front of a crowd? Know your shit. Practice, then expect everything to go wrong and prep some alternatives for when they do. A little self-depreciating humor can be good, but don’t go over-board. Say hello, give your information, sit down and shut up. There is no such thing as a too-short speech.

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**Author:** ![malkavia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malkavia/32/5621_2.png) [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-public-speaking-advice-for-someone-really-nervous-around-crowds/624746/42 "2012-06-13T21:13:36Z")

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[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:40, topic:624746”]

I’ve never heard this phrase. What does it mean?  
[/QUOTE]

A bat in the cave is a visible booger in or near your nostril. 🙂

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