What is harder: public speaking- or small talk with strangers?

[Conversationist]

I am taking a Public Speaking class through Adult Education. There is about 10 people in the class and everyone is pretty friendly and open. When it comes time for each person to come up in front of the class and speak, most people are scared to death.

I spoke in front of the group without being nervous at all. I spoke with ease and confidence. But when it came time to "make small talk" with the people in class, at break time, I was a bit ill at ease. It was easier speaking in front of ten people than one-on-one.

So, is it easier for you to make small talk with a stranger, or speak in front of a group?

 

[NMAmy]

I'm the opposite. I can chat away with anyone in small groups or one on one. But I absolutely hate public speaking of any kind. I even hate our department meetings when I have to present an item--and I know everyone there very well.

 

[Mercy]

I am like you, I find small talk with people I don't know awkward, but really don't find it hard to stand in front of a group of people and talk. Hhmmm... wonder why?

 

[PlaneJoy1]

I would rather do a presentation any day, than have to make small talk! I am just don't know what to say and I don't feel that I need to talk all the time.

 

[GEM]

I have no problem at all with public speaking. I do theater and I also give lots of presentations for my job and for my work with the March of Dimes. Speaking to groups, even very large groups, doesn't bother me a bit.

However, I HATE making small talk with people I don't know. It's not that I can't do it. I just don't enjoy it.

 

[experiment626mom]

I hate getting up in front of people and speaking. But talking to a stranger in line is very easy for me.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Smaller groups are easier for me to speak to but because of the nature of my job, I find myself talking to larger groups of people at a time about my company's product.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I can chat or talk to a small group of strangers without getting nervous. But to speak or do a presentation in front of an entire people in the gym or auditorium... no way! I don't like public speaking...

 

[Pop Daddy]

I could do both, but if its small talk with a beauitful women my tounge gets tied

 

[Jackie0824]

I HATE HATE HATE talking in front of a group of people. When I was in college, I remember a few group presentations we had to do. Granted we were in a group, but still had to stand in front of the whole classroom. I hate having a whole room/group of people looking at me. Im so self-conscious as it is, and then having people looking at me, well it just puts me over the edge.
I rather make small talk with somebody in line at the store, as its just one person, opposed to a 20 or 30 or more people looking at me.
I like to blend in with the crowd and go around unnoticed. Thats why I hate when my kids act up in public, I feel like everybody is looking at me LOL....And, my kids act up all the time.

 

[Conversationist]

One fun activity in the Public Speaking class we did was read (in front of the class) a few paragraphs from a boring manuscript. Our job was to make it sound like the most exciting thing in the world. We had to lower our guard and do a little acting. No matter how exciting we made it, the teacher tried to make us get even more enthusiastic in our presentation. People really struggled because most people did not want to make a fool of themselves. We all have such a border around our public self.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Small talk with strangers is more difficult for me. I don't mind public speaking.

 

[greenyskp]

I cant get up and talk in front of a large group of people, and have them rofl.

But everytime I make small talk with people in line with me... i feel stupid. Because I'll be like.. "i got a good deal on this meat" and they'll just stare at me. Or i'll say something simple like 'they need to open more registers' and people usually, awkwardly say yes.

I guess people just arent friendly like myself! lol

 

[Kimberly]

Public speaking, mostly because I have the worst stage fright ever. However, my mother thinks I'm just like my grandfather, apparently I could make small talk with a stranger on any given occaision.