Public Speaking - rather be dead?

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
21

I don’t mind public speaking. Of course, when I was growing up, since I was usually the only one who didn’t mind, I got thrust into all kinds of speaking events. Until recently, my father travelled a lot and did a lot of public speaking at church sponsored events, so I must get it from him. I have no problems speaking up in class, asking questions, phoning wherever for whatever. If I’m not prepared, like when I have to do something at the last minute, I get the occasional case of jitters, but nothing too bad.

I started volunteering at my childrens school. When I got there, the teacher asked if I was comfortable working directly with the kids (instead of just photocopying or whatever). It was no problem for me, so I wound up leading the grade four reading class while she worked with the grade threes. Unprepared, but not jittery at all, and everything went as smoothly as it can with grade fours.

Maybe public speaking is my calling. :slight_smile:

22

I hate public speaking. In fact, I’m not a big fan of speaking at all.

I don’t want a lot of people to be paying attention to me, or even to notice that I’m there. I’m most comfortable in a very small group (2 or 3 at the most, including me) in the middle of a larger group.

I watch. I observe. I wonder what the point of all the empty bluster is. It just messes up the whole dynamic when the prey start watching back.