Poole Heart Support Group

On 19 March, I gave an evening talk about the Power of Humour in Everyday Life for the Poole Heart Support Group in the Graduate Centre at Poole General Hospital. There were around 35 there and they were an excellent audience.

Many of my talks are for groups associated with particular medical conditions: MS, visual impairment, arthritis... They may have some speakers who are experts in research/treatment but they also book others like myself who speak about unrelated subjects for their entertainment and, perhaps, escapism. They are just like any other audience although it is a good idea to review your material for any references which may seem insensitive (in this case, I made a slight revision to one of the anecdotes).

My Power of Humour talk is about extracting the comic value from seemingly negative experiences but I do not speak in depth about the physical benefits of humour which are so often mentioned in the press because I am not an expert in this field and besides, I much prefer delivering anecdotes about my embarrassments - of which there are so many!

Once, after I had done a stand-up spot at a London comedy club many years ago, another comic told me I was wrong to use self-effacing humour because he felt that putting myself down somehow detracted from my authority as a performer. I disagreed then - and do so even more now.

Public Speaking Tip #302:  Self-deprecating anecdotes can make a speaker seem more human rather than taking away from your credibility.

My thanks to Gary Lee for running me back to Bournemouth and for this testimonial letter:

"It is a pleasure to write and thank you for a simply super talk. How good to hear spontaneous laughter, see smiling faces and hear of situations which at first sight are bad but from which humour can result or help to make things better.

Great stuff! I'm sure I reflect the thoughts of all the audience that it was well worth being part of it.

...I will get back to you about a booking for next year.

...Once again, thanks on behalf of PHSG for a really good evening".

I think they liked me!