topic Re: Um in Q Talk

Um

AussieLuvr — Wed, 24 May 2017 05:31:02 GMT

Ok, after a post about using filler words (which I can't find right now) I decided to play Toastmasters "um counter" during a one hour IT presentation with Jamie. In 23 minutes, she used "um" as a filler word 73 times. I stopped counting because it was driving me nuts and I had to get to sleep.

Re: Um

x Hedge — Wed, 24 May 2017 05:46:17 GMT

Um . . .Congratulations ?

Re: Um

Lila4Now — Wed, 24 May 2017 08:41:07 GMT

She and Kerstin both use 'um" to an excess. Drives me to change the channel.

Re: Um

TX-starlight — Wed, 24 May 2017 08:50:19 GMT

Mary is now, she uses it excessively!! I had to turn her off. There are several hosts who use it, to the point I can't watch them. Mary, Carolyn, Leah, are all offenders.

Re: Um

LizzieInSRQ — Wed, 24 May 2017 09:40:57 GMT

@carol in NC wrote:
Ok, after a post about using filler words (which I can't find right now) I decided to play Toastmasters "um counter" during a one hour IT presentation with Jamie. In 23 minutes, she used "um" as a filler word 73 times. I stopped counting because it was driving me nuts and I had to get to sleep.

Wow and yes, it seems as if it's on purpose. The female that substitutes for her in presentations who also models for her, the one with blonde short hair, does the same, with the same kind of rhythm....so weird and super annoying. Why they have not learned this lesson, boggles my mind.

Re: Um

Pook — Wed, 24 May 2017 10:35:54 GMT

Um! Being so bothered by the use of a filler word to the extent that anyone would keep count is bizarre and a bit OCD!

Re: Um

Plaid Pants2 — Wed, 24 May 2017 11:16:06 GMT

Um........okay.

Re: Um

Harpa — Wed, 24 May 2017 12:22:45 GMT

I like some of IT's products! But she has been presenting these things for several years now. There is no excuse for saying um at all! I think every one of us can get up there and present the talking points about each product.

It must be a selling technique, that they think it's cute or something, like the product is so fabulous that they are grasping for superlatives!

It is quite annoying to me, too.

Re: Um

Q4u — Wed, 24 May 2017 14:33:06 GMT

@Pook wrote:
Um! Being so bothered by the use of a filler word to the extent that anyone would keep count is bizarre and a bit OCD!

Depends on how often it's used and by whom.... with my friend who uses "and stuff" after every declarative statement, I wouldn't say anything to her but it's very noticable. I mean, why make a deal out of it? ...... With a professional who talks for a living, the over use of fillers can be a nuisance to the listener, who are potential buyers. You WANT them to stay involved in the presentation and sometimes too many fillers just bother and/or bore the audience.

We have a potential customer (the OP) who is not paying attention to the presentation, rather she is counting the filler words..... if I were one of the ptb, I'd make sure some of these speech habits were changed for the better..... because I believe potential sales are affected. But I don't believe Speech classes of any kind are offered to the hosts..... JMHO

Re: Um

catpat — Wed, 24 May 2017 14:36:04 GMT

It can be done! Watched the host one late night (McGee), and she didn't say "um" once. So darn refreshing to listen to someone who doesn't use those filler words. Also, count the number of times Jamie from IT uses the word "literally". Don't they watch their presentations or have any family/friends who would call them out on their misuse and overuse of certain words/phrases?

Re: Um

MENTL — Wed, 24 May 2017 15:53:10 GMT

The worst offenders are Carolyn and Shawn. Just try listening to the Ums and UHs of Carolyn's for 5 minutes.

Re: Um

Krimpette — Wed, 24 May 2017 15:56:17 GMT

I'm really surprised that the "Um" users haven't been coached by their producer or whomever. It's very unprofessional. I, too, change the channel when the "ums" begin. I can't recall any of the hsn hosts using "um", but maybe I just haven't noticed.

Re: Um

mzlg — Wed, 24 May 2017 15:57:09 GMT

@carol in NC wrote:
Ok, after a post about using filler words (which I can't find right now) I decided to play Toastmasters "um counter" during a one hour IT presentation with Jamie. In 23 minutes, she used "um" as a filler word 73 times. I stopped counting because it was driving me nuts and I had to get to sleep.

@AussieLuvr,

Um ... well, that is definitely Jamie's "word whisker" or "filler" and it is for many others.

Toastmasters? Of what benifit did Jamie receive from your observation?

I, personally would not have wasted my time counting ... I have far too many things to do ...

Like now, so I am signing out.

Enjoy your day.

Re: Um

Daludog — Wed, 24 May 2017 17:43:42 GMT

Yes, i agree !!! It drives me crazy also, they are on tv, why doesn't QVC stop them ? Maybe they should be made to sit down and watch a one hour show of themselves. I stopped watching Jamie because of that. I remember LR used to do that also. They can always stop speaking for a few seconds, silence is better then Um.

Re: Um

Day1128 — Wed, 24 May 2017 22:22:01 GMT

@carol in NC wrote:
Ok, after a post about using filler words (which I can't find right now) I decided to play Toastmasters "um counter" during a one hour IT presentation with Jamie. In 23 minutes, she used "um" as a filler word 73 times. I stopped counting because it was driving me nuts and I had to get to sleep.

You are totally right. It is annoying and unprofessional to keep using filler words, especially if your job is to give a presentation. I wonder is some of the hosts/vendors ever go back and watch themselves on video. That's a great way to see how you REALLY are presenting yourself. Just heard a newscaster (national news) today start what she was saying with: so, I mean, um...then she acutally started getting to the point.

What's up with the other posters who find it necessary to critique what others have to say...such as, you must have OCD (no, you are just observant) or why spend your time counting what someone says (because it definitely detracts from the presentation).

Re: Um

IlliniGirl88 — Wed, 24 May 2017 22:39:18 GMT

When I was probably in the eighth grade, I remember having to do public speaking. While practicing at home, my older sister told me that I was saying, "Um", too much. I didn't even realize it until she pointed it out and I quickly corrected it. They may not realize they're doing it, but I'd think someone would have pointed it out by now.

Re: Um

Krimpette — Wed, 24 May 2017 23:18:57 GMT

@IlliniGirl88. Hosts over-using "ums" have been mentioned countless times on these forums. I can't believe no one has felt the need to correct the habit.

Re: Um

IlliniGirl88 — Thu, 25 May 2017 00:56:38 GMT

@Krimpette wrote:
@IlliniGirl88. Hosts over-using "ums" have been mentioned countless times on these forums. I can't believe no one has felt the need to correct the habit.

@Krimpette- I agree!

Re: Um

AussieLuvr — Thu, 25 May 2017 01:35:16 GMT

Ever heard of Toastmasters? It's an international organization that enables people to hone their public speaking skills. There is always an Um Counter who counts filler words to bring the speaker's attention to it. M not OCD. I'm an area officer in the organization. If Loudon care, why comment at all? That was a rhetorical question. No need to respond.

Re: Um

AussieLuvr — Thu, 25 May 2017 01:38:20 GMT

I've noticed that she emulates Jamie's speech intonation, too!

There is someone who does Susan Graver clothes in the middle of the night who sounds like they're imitating SG. It's crazy.