Another chairman I shall ever remember is the one who closed a rambling speech with the following terse remarks: “You have all heard of the speaker, you have seen his name in our papers; he has a national reputation. I will now call upon him to make good.”
Fortunately, most inexperienced chairmen seek the speaker’s advice and follow it.
CHAPTER XI
MANNERISMS
Speaking mannerisms are of two kinds, those of manner, of course, and those which by a metaphorical use of the term may be called mannerisms of matter.
“The memory,” said the quaint old Fuller, “must be located in the back of the head, because there men dig for it.” Some speakers appear to imagine it can be found in the links of a watch chain, or observed in the chinks in the ceiling.
Most mannerisms are undesirable and very few have any value. As they are usually formed early, one should look out for them at the outset and nip them in the bud, before they have a chance to become fixed habits.
I often notice myself running my fingers through my hair about the opening sentence, as though I could thereby loosen up my brain.
Debs speaks a good deal doubled up like the corner of a square—a mannerism that probably has its origin, partly in a body weary from overwork, and partly from a desire to get closer to the auditors on the main floor.
Mannerisms of matter are very common and many speakers seem to take no trouble to avoid them.