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It Is Incorrect To Say "Thank You" At End Of Speech

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Chat' started by Joe Strummer, Feb 1, 2016.

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  1. Joe Strummer

    Joe Strummer VIP Whale

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    Okay -
    I'm having this debate at work.
    *
    I was taught, it is incorrect to say "thank you" at the
    end of your speech.
    Just leave it out.
    *
    Is this under the jurisdiction of "English 101" ?
    I believe I was taught this by 7th grade English ( at a prep school ).
    And I took a Public Speaking course in college......where it was incorrect, as well.
    *
    My co-workers noted --- "but EVERYONE says "thank you" at the end of
    their speech ?"
    I said, "I know....everyone does, but I was taught - this is incorrect."
    *** Okay, 7th grade was a half century ago !....and lotsa things have changed.....but...
    I insist I was taught this....I ain't makin' it up !********
    *
    Any English majors out there ?.....with a minor in English teaching history ?
    Certainly etiquette,and public speaking rules have evolved,.........has this changed, as well ?
    *
    Who will be THE JUDGE ?.......on VMB ?
     
  2. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    I would definitely not say that it's "incorrect"; the idea is that you're showing appreciation for people having sat through what you were saying and listened to you, which is not an insubstantial thing. It's not my favorite narrative device, but there aren't many better ways to signal that your speech is over.
     
  3. Joe Strummer

    Joe Strummer VIP Whale

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    Showing appreciation.......yes........this is what everyone at work, mentioned.
    I said, "I know....I get it."
    Geez....at a charity function.......I guess, you certainly INCLUDE it......don't END with it ?
    But........doesn't mean it's correct ?
     
  4. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

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    I would not say it is incorrect. May have just been a pet peeve of one of your teachers.

    It is not really a grammatical problem at all. It is more of a stylistic one, and thus much more of a matter of personal taste.

    An interesting blog post on the various sides of the debate.

    To me, the sentiment to thank listeners is not necessarily a bad one, but if so, it should be one you can expand on, and not necessarily close with. The objection to 'thank you' is mainly that it has become a bit of a crutch. People add those two words alone at the end as a polite way of saying "Speech completed", and the thought is that doing so weakens the message.

    Thus, cutting it out is certainly fine, but to do so, you need to be practiced enough at your delivery that it will be clear that you have concluded without any token 'sign off' words.
     
  5. DRPinVA

    DRPinVA Low-Roller

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    I asked a couple of work colleagues of mine who took the Dale Carnegie Public Speaking courses not so long ago, they both said that it was not stated / addressed during those courses, which leads me to believe that there is probably not a right or wrong to it.
     
  6. Joe Strummer

    Joe Strummer VIP Whale

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    I trying desperately to remember the reason - I was taught this.
    I can't remember exact words -
    but I seem to remember something along the lines -
    of it being the "wrong platform" for thanking.
    You are addressing.....an audience --- not a platform for personal "thanking" ---
    something along those lines ?
     
  7. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    I don't ever recall being told that Thank You was wrong at the end of the speech. I think the preference would be for more of a novel way to wrap I don't see a problem with it.
     
  8. Joe Strummer

    Joe Strummer VIP Whale

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    PS
    I do agree "thank you" being a poor excuse for a speech closing.
    And yes....it could have been a teacher's "pet peeve" ---
    but.......I heard it from two different sources ?
     
  9. hammie

    hammie VIP Whale

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    I think it's a way to conclude your speech and at the same time be considerate for the time and attention of your audience.

    How would you end a speech? Walk off? Stop talking and stare at the audience? As others have mentioned, I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to this, just personal preference.
     
  10. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Close the speech, then before leaving offer a true not perfunctory "thank you for your time." This isn't rocket science.
     
  11. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    What he said. How would you end it?
     
  12. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

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    Mic drop.
     
  13. Rush

    Rush MIA

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    Do people even say "thank you" anymore?

    I guess I'm getting to the "get off my lawn" stage in life, but people don't seem to ever say:

    Excuse me.....
    May I.....
    Could you please......
    Thank you.......

    Now days, when someone wants directions: A rude,"Where's the bathroom", is followed by a walk off, as if you OWED them the answer.
     
  14. Slotness

    Slotness Low-Roller

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    Interesting debate. Maybe an "old" guideline? Heck, I still put two spaces after a period when I'm typing and I've been reprimanded repeatedly for that by my kids.
     
  15. Joe Strummer

    Joe Strummer VIP Whale

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    Well...now....people are putting ME in the position of authority.
    I didn't claim to be.
    But....if you want ME to answer : "What he said. How would you end it ?"
    *
    End it .....JUST LIKE A PARAGRAPH.
    Conclude with something about your TOPIC SENTENCE.
    Do you end your paragraph with "thank you for reading this" .......?
    *
    Take it easy !
    People gettin' all worked up, here.
    You wanna end with "thank you" ?.......don't get so defensive.
    *
    Double thud.
     
  16. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    lol.

    Joe, given how you construct sentences and paragraphs ...

    lol

    It's all good, people.
     
  17. topcard

    topcard Here's to $10 3:2 two-deck, $5 Craps, and $5 UTH!

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    When I used to do 'public speaking', I used a similar (but different) phrase to "thank you":

    "I aprreciate the opportunity to speak with you today - are there any questions or comments?"

    (If there were none, I would often "close" with "OK...well, if something occurs to you later, we can chat at the bar.", or something similar... hey - this was the 80s & 90s & everybody drank back then!)
    :beer:
     
    Annual Spring Trip!
  18. RebelDiceMan

    RebelDiceMan VIP Whale

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    I have done a fair amount of presentations, mostly for professional organization training. I always thank the audience for their attendance before closing. Of course I could have been doing the wrong thing for 20 years but that is what I felt was appropriate.
     
  19. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    You have not been doing anything wrong.

    I have yet to see anything different than "thank you" or similar words.

    There was one other ending, though it was a good funny. Do a mic drop.

    So, unless someone has an alternative, I don't think they can say it is wrong or anything to that effect.

    Thank you for reading this meaningless post.
     
  20. grosx2

    grosx2 Have fun storming the castle!

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    Skip the thank you, just say "you're welcome," then mic drop and walk off.
     
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