The Day I Stepped Into A Sri Lankan Toastmasters Club
In Sept 2005, I did an act of courage.
That’s me in action at the Toastmasters Humorous Contest 2005 (Club Level)
After much hesistation and procrastination, I joined a US Toastmasters club. It was scary especially since I was new in town (Philadelphia). However, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
During that one year, my growth as a public speaker shot to the roof.
I delivered over 15 speeches in front of 20 - 30 strangers every other week. It was daunting at first because many of them have never visited Singapore or experienced our culture. Some even thought that we were part of China! However as I spend more time hanging out with them over beer and buffulo wings, it became easier to connect with them.
In fact, because of the difference in our background, we had a lot to talk about.
This led me to write a speech that clarified several misconceptions about Singapore. And they love it. One thing led to another, and before I know it, I was contesting at the annual humorous contest with that speech, entitled “There’s something about Singapore”.
Here’s the folks from my US club - Panorama Toastmasters down at Locust Street, Philadelphia
And thanks to the extra laughter contributed by my new-found friends and batch mates, I clinched the first place trophy and went on to compete at the Division level, which I won as well.
Not only had the experience boosted my confidence, it has gave me the added courage to go on competing in other speech competitions both in Singapore and Macau.
So why did I tell you this?
Because on 23th Oct 2007 (Tuesday), I did another act of courage.
I visited a Toastmasters club in Sri Lanka - Colombo Toastmasters Club. It was with the same trepidation and excitement that I stepped into the club because I have no idea what would happen.
The members there are not exactly very friendly (maybe because they are not used to seeing a Chinese) BUT I still had a ball of time. Here’s why.
(i) Their program was particularly interactive - they had this activity called “Round Robin” where all of us have to take turn to finish each other sentences, so that we can form a story together.
(ii) I was invited to their division humorous contest (the same one I took part 2 years ago) this coming Sunday. This time I get to be the audience and witness their best speakers in action. It’s also an golden opportunity for me, because I will know what makes my fellow brothers of Sri Lanka laugh. Won’t want to terrorize them with my local brand of humor.
(iii) I met this girl from Hong Kong, who like me, is going to be in Sri Lankan for a year. We became fast friends. Just yesterday, she brought me to this Chinese resturant to have chicken rice! You know how food can make a man very happy.
With every new country comes a new culture. And there were some notable things that got me laughing. Of course, I did it very very quietly. Here’s one.
That’s the stage by the way. Don’t the President and his emcee find it weird to have people stare at them the whole time. I know I will if I am in their shoes… Maybe that’s why the emcee (guy to the left) is covering his face in embarassment
In Singapore, we opened the meeting with the sergeant at arms inviting the members and guest to do a quick intro. But over in Sri Lanka, they made us sing the national anthem!
And right after that, they announced two deaths and made us observed a minute of silence. I am surprised they did not make us sing any hymns.
The timer doesn’t flash the green, amber and red cards to signal your remaining time. They ding you. And it gets louder as your speaking time gets shorter. So if you hear a really loud ding, it means you have 30 seconds left.
This happens on the road too. Cars don’t follow traffic lights. They move when the vehicle at the back horns at them. The louder it gets, the less time you have to get moving.
Sri Lankans have very, very long names. If I were the grammarian, I would have use one of their names as word of the day! Here’s a few examples.
Chandanan Weerasekera.
Ranee Wickramasekera.
Ananda Chittambalam.
Even the shortest one isn’t very short - Prasad Galhena.
It doesn’t help that you have to say both their first name AND their last name… imagine how nervous I was when I had to make small talk with them. There was NO way I could remember their names. For crying out loud, I can’t even remember who I spoke to?!
The head shaking was also extremely distracting for me. If this were a Singapore club, we would have added head shaking as a pause filler!
As you can tell, it was an eye opener for me!
And I bet that when I start delivering my speeches, there will be more interesting stories to tell.
Wish me luck.
Eric Feng
Your Public Speaking Coach
Hey Eric,
I’m a Sri Lankan in Singapore. You’re insulting my people dude. I’m gonna be waiting for you when you get back here!!!
Just kidding :p Your remarks are pretty standard for a first time visitor. You don’t really have to say the whole full name. Only school teachers do that.
There’s a thing about the head shaking. We shake
our head sideways to mean yes sometimes. OUtsiders find that confusing.
Anyways, hope you enjoy your stay…..
Here’s my vote of support for you in Colombo TMC -
GOOD LUCK, Eric!
Really very courageous of you.
Hehe, thanks Doris!!
Dinu: Yo machiam! Kohomade!
Glad you took it with a light heart Dinu. I assure you that we chinese people also have our own idiosyncrasies that we are unaware about! Still, it has been a GREAT experience, one that I will always remember… besides all these experiences will make wonderful stories to tell to my ignorant friends from Singapore.
I actually have some friends who thought that Sri Lanka was part of India!!! HAHA.
Ok fine… I (was) one of them.
Shall update you and the rest of the folks my life in Sri Lanka.
Istuti!
Haha…your Sinhalese is perfect.
I get the Indian thing a lot too. Typical convo:
Sg: You’re Indian.
Me: I’m not Indian, I’m Sri Lankan. It’s a totally different country.
Sg: Same waaaaaat!!!
I’m from Kandy, the hill country. You should go up there when you get a chance.
It’ll be great to hear your adventures in SL. I’ll keep a watch on your feed.
ahh what a coincidence. i am visiting kandy next weekend. will be taking lots of pictures like a typical singaporean. watch the space! and have a great weekend dinu.
Cool stuff. There are tons of places to visit in Kandy. Enjoy!!!
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