I knew there is something more to it, and I
knew I kind of liked it, but now I know it for sure. I like to speak. In my own
manner that I try to make both interesting, funny and with some surprise if
possible.
I am talking about the Toastmasters club I
have been going to. I have now prepared and delivered 3 speeches so I guess
this is appropriate time to say what are the impressions of the whole thing and
how do I see myself in it.
If you ever consider to just make yourself a
better person, a better speaker, then you should try this out. Now there are a
lot of advantages to this group but you will see them if you attend on your
own. I like to talk about things that are not so good.
First of all. When I asked how to apply and
everything else, they told me everything except, how to get into the building.
If you ever want to visit RIGA Toastmasters, then the door opening button is on
the left, a little bit far too away, and when you press it, the guard will
press a button at his side so you could get in.
When I pressed the button I thought someone would answer, so I would
tell where I was going to and he then let me in…… but no. No one answers, so I kept pressing the button
waiting till someone will answer until the guard was fed up with me ringing the
bell all the time and not coming in, until he went all the way to the front
door to let me in like I would own the place. My own door opener. Then he asked me some interrogating questions
as what I wanted and if I was stupid enough as to not see that the red light on
doors turned green, when he pressed the button so I could come in.
Never the less there are also other great
things to tell you about. As you should never arrive before the meeting time.
Why? Because the meeting never starts on time. Usually some 15-30 min later. So
there is no need to come really on time as I was used to. So the first day I
arrived at the same time as the main organizers, and that is waaaay before
everyone else.
Did you know that there you are also supposed
to do improvised speeches from 1-2 minutes. I didn’t know it. Okay that is not
a must. There is one part of the meeting where you can give this improvised
speech on subject the organizer will give you. So you never know what it will
be about. Usually the ones who wanted, raised their hand or just said I would
do it. Well now, we changed to another tactic. The organizer just picks someone
up and he has to give the speech. So be aware, they always also choose some
guests to make the speech.
We also evaluate all the speakers. We write
some suggestions and things we liked about the speech, and we do it right after
the speaker has ended his speech. This of course is really good stuff, you can
receive a lot of amazing ideas, but…..there is one funny things. You have ended
your speech everyone claps you sit down in your seat and then….. Silence. Because everyone is writing something. So you
really don’t know what to do. Look what they are writing to you? Look outside of
the window? Check out how cool are your own shoes?
I guess there are also some other things to
talk about but none of them pops into my mind now, so this is the end of the
story.
