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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
 Posted - 09/25/2003 : 22:36:27
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so i'm looking for advice, or just general pep talk style reassurance.
i'm headed to Chicago this weekend for my long-time best friend's wedding, and i'm best man. as much as i'm excited about this weekend, and honored to be best man, i'm very much not a public speaking kind of guy. not looking forward to it at all..
plus, i've done zero preparation.
any last minute advice?
obviously there are all the usual things to say.. but when it comes to anecdotes, honestly, most of the "funny" stories wouldn't be appropriate for this particular crowd (ie. hardcore Catholics [the real kind])..
i'm definitely having a shot or two before this one.. |
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glacial906
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1738 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2003 : 23:22:18
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I would say a shot or two would be appropriate before this particular instance, floop. At my wedding, my best man (also my best friend) had a speech prepared that he had been up all night preparing. When he finally got up to speak, he just forgot all about the speech, and add-libbed, and he was a hit. I remember, we didn't have alot of alcohol at our wedding -- my wife was about five months pregnant, and we got married at a church that didn't allow more than a bottle of champagne. My friend took the remainder of the bottle up in front of everyone, and then took a big swig before his speech, and that in and of itself got a laugh.
Just be yourself, as it is your friend's wedding day. Make sure to compliment the bride at the expense of the groom a little bit. If I were you, not having much experience in public speaking, I would probably prepare a little bit -- although definitely don't limit yourself to what you have written down when the big day actually arises. I would say start out with trying to plan pretty conservative jokes -- you know what kind of humor a mass crowd of Catholics expects -- and also write down any suitable antecdotes you can recall about your friend. (Surely there are some, especially from when you and your friend were younger.) Just remember, it's not all about the rhetoric in this particular speech; you can throw in anything you want.
Sorry if this doesn't help much; I myself am a terrible public speaker and wish I could follow my own advice.
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Blackolyte
- FB Fan -
USA
109 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2003 : 23:37:29
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Hey Floop,
I too am not much of a public speaker. I was best man to two of my closest friends, and the thought of speaking infront of a large crowd kinda freaked me. No, actually it scared the shit out of me.
What got me through was thinking how honored I felt (as do you) to be included in their celebration.
If the "funny" stuff won't jibe with the crowd, then speak from the heart. That's what I did. Just talk about how important your friendship has been with your friend and how happy you are for them.(I stayed away from the funny stuff because I didn't want to incriminate myself or my friends.)
Once you get up there and think of that, I'm sure your nervousness will go away.
Hope this helped a little. Just remember that you're among friends.
Good luck this weekend. I'm think you'll do just fine. |
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miguel
- FB Fan -
USA
213 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2003 : 01:04:16
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| Yeah have a drink or something before hand.. I totally sounded like an idiot when I spoke at my firends wedding. I put the ass EmbarASSing. |
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Scarla O
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
947 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2003 : 02:26:32
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I think there's a lot to be said for going for sincere/heartfelt rather than gutbustingly funny. If this guy has been your best friend for a long time then his marriage probably means quite alot to you - i'd just articulate that and forget the jokes for now... |
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Thomas
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1615 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2003 : 06:33:14
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Good luck buddy. If your speach fails, which it wont, just yell out "GO BEARS"! and then everything will be fine.
Thomas
"Our love is rice and beans and horses lard" |
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 09/28/2003 : 21:18:47
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thanks for the advice fellas.
of course, in my typical fashion, i didn't prepare anything.. even though i still had time to do so.. and i wish i had something more prepared because i was stumbling at points for things to say. but i just winged it and kept it short and sweet..
hopefully i'll never have to do that again..
good times though.. i'm so wrecked. two days of drinking and little sleep and travelling will do it to you. |
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