Public Speaking: Commentary
The other day, I was enjoying my dinner at an outdoor patio of Panera Bread. The conversations at the other tables surrounding me were lively and loud. I love it. I believe in the Cafe Society…where people congregate and talk.
One conversation caught my ear. A woman was explaining her take on greenhouse gas effect, greenhouse cloud effect…I didn’t really hear her topic. What caught my ear was her loud exclamation to one of her guest at her table, “How can you be part of this conversation…when you don’t know anything about it.”
While her statement seems to be true on the surface…is she being truthful?
First off, to cut anyone off from a conversation is rude. The gentleman that was the brunt of her comment was not being loud or rude, he was giving his opinion. I am saddened by the fact that our society is so closed off to the Cafe Society. Every time when I am in Italy/Sicily…of course I take part in the outdoor cafes. Once you sit down, the locales are quick to add you to the conversation. They enjoy the spirit of conversation, they are not closed off.
Here in America, when I say “Hi” to someone in line at my favorite Starbucks, try to exchange comments with a fellow shopper in Macy’s or state a fact to the occupants at the next table at my favorite Italian restaurant – I am met with strange and disapproving stares. “Just trying to make conversation…don’t want any spare change.”
Also, when this woman made this comment…isn’t the man entitled to his opinion based on his feelings about the subject? What, just because we don’t have all the facts we have to sit there mute! Also, it can be said this woman didn’t have all the facts as well. As sociologist have said, humans are ignorant in so much they cannot know everything about a subject. So this woman cannot claim sole ownership of her topic.
I bring all this up because this truly falls under the headline: Public Speaking. Isn’t this what the man and the woman are doing at their table at Panera’s? Isn’t that what everyone that evening was doing – Public Speaking?
I want people to be able to exercise Public Speaking – whether it is from the front of the room or at a local eatery.
We have to start communicating with one another. Let’s establish a Cafe Society and feel free to speak to one another in a spirit of brotherhood and understanding.
This is what I think. What do you think? I would love to know.
Ciao,
Maurice
