CityPages Kuwait June 2016 Issue June 2016 | Page 84

by: Melody Mackintosh
@MelodyMackintosh

melodymackintoshblog.wordpress.com

QUIET PLEASE!
If I were to ask 100 professionals to profess their worst nightmare,
I suspect most (if not all) would probably say ‘public speaking’.
I have yet to meet someone who actually enjoys what is often
described as ‘the most common source of stress’. Most of the time
it’s a necessary evil found in a job description, which although not
enough to reject the job being offered, is certainly at the bottom
of the list of preferred duties. In fact, many people have openly
admitted that they would rather stand naked in public than have
to deliver a speech to their peers.
In my previous, pre-Kuwait life, I was often required to stand up in
front of a room full of people and impress them with my knowledge
and, where appropriate, humour. It didn’t come naturally to me and
I would ponder for hours about what to say and how to say it. Nerves
would threaten to get the better of me as my hands started to sweat,
my heart hammered in my chest and my tongue turned to sandpaper.
I may have looked like a calm, serene swan on the outside but I was
flapping around helplessly like a drowning duck underneath.
Knowing how tough it is to present to hundreds of people, I will always
give my full attention to those in the same position. Even if the topic is
of no particular interest to me (in which case, I would have to ask myself
why I was there in the first place), I will still show them the courtesy
of listening to what they have to say. Unfortunately, not everyone
shows the same respect. On two separate occasions recently, I have
been forced to ask people to be quiet when a speaker is addressing the
room. Not only is it disrespectful to the person presenting, it’s also very
annoying for those with a genuine interest in the presentation.
I’m sure if people realized how terrifying public speaking can be, they
may be inclined to be a little more understanding. However, if they
really have no interest in listening to the content of the speech, the very

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least they should do is leave the room in a quiet and orderly manner,
rather than talk amongst themselves with a blatant disregard for
anyone else.
I have witnessed plenty of situations where members of the audience
have been asked to refrain from talking, sometimes by the speakers
themselves, sometimes with a more discreet tap on the shoulder by
one of the event staff, and sometimes by other disgruntled attendees.
It is the more professional public speakers who have the confidence
to challenge an unruly participant, often resulting in a deserved red
face and a rather sheepish apology. However, the less experienced
speakers, reluctant to add more pressure to their already daunting task
will not feel able to object to such disrespectful behaviour and will end
up trying, though often failing, to talk over the increasing volume of
interruptions. Not an ideal situation for anyone.
And then there are mobile phones; an apparent obsession in Kuwait.
Despite being politely asked to switch them off before the presentation
begins, a variety of ring tones and text alerts can always be relied upon
to disrupt proceedings. As if that’s not bad enough, people actually
have the audacity to answer their phones and conduct a conversation,
not only embarrassing themselves, but also their fellow delegates and,
more importantly, the speaker.
I’m sure those guilty of failing to pay attention would be the first to
object if someone talked over their own riveting speech. That said,
chances are they wouldn’t be brave enough to get up and talk in the
first place and are therefore unable to empathize with those who are.
But lack of empathy is no excuse for bad manners so until they’re faced
with their own worst nightmare, let’s hope they learn to show a little
respect for those who are already facing theirs.