Toastmasters Table Topics #12 | You are at the airport for your end-of-year vacation. You are traveling internationally, and upon reaching the airport, you realize you have forgotten your passport. What will you do?

I have written about the significance of public speaking in the past. I started this writing series on table topics some months back. Before diving into today's topic, here is a quick introduction to Table Topics.

What are Table Topics?

In Toastmasters, "Table Topics" is a segment where participants deliver an impromptu speech. The speech should be at least half a minute or more than two and a half minutes.

Table Topics aims to encourage speakers to seize opportunities with promptness. Speakers learn to provide coherent and concise content without prior preparation. It's a valuable exercise for developing spontaneous speaking skills. Something very useful in formal presentations and everyday conversations.

The topic for today's article is:

You are at the airport for your end-of-year vacation. You are traveling out of the country. Upon reaching the airport, you realize you have forgotten your passport. What will you do?

Ouch is my first response to the topic. I hope I don't visualize an event like this by writing on it. It's high time, we allow e-passports but security agencies might not find this idea helpful.

Topics like these are great opportunities. There is complete freedom to take it anywhere. There should not be any pressure to deliver a positive message. The best way to perform is by imagining the situation and letting the words come out with emotions.

My Ritual

I follow a ritual for every speech. The routine helps me to compose myself. It gives me a sense of satisfaction that things are in control.

A confident stride to the podium is the easiest way to kickstart the ritual. The next step would be to thank the table topic master and give a firm handshake. Repeating the question will buy me some thinking time.

I ensure that the podium is not standing in the way between me and the audience. It also gives me an excellent opportunity to take a deep breath and shrug off any anxiety.

I prefer not to look at my feet while thinking, and my hands should not be in my pocket. It demonstrates an anxious personality.

Speech Delivery

My speech goes as follows:

I hope it never happens. The mere thought of an incident like this gives me goosebumps.

What will I do if such an event happens? I won't waste my time pleading with the officials to let me travel. As it's end-of-year travel, chances of getting another flight will be difficult. Even if I do get one, prizes will be through the roof.

If I cancel the trip, hotel cancellation will cost me a fortune. What can I do? What can anyone do? Uncle Murphy has given you a visit. You can't do anything apart from blaming the person who invented passports.

If I ever face a situation like this, I will blame the table topic master for the mishap.

Let's think of some damage control. If other family members are traveling, I will let them go ahead and have fun while I party alone with Dr Murphy.

If there is a possibility for a rescheduled ticket without the need to sell my kidney, I would consider it. I will ignore my budget constraints and go ahead with the trip.

If rescheduling flight tickets is impossible, I pray to GOD I get enough refund for a bottle of Whiskey.

What else can anyone do? I hope one day someone invents a technology for e-passports. At the end of this speech, I pray to GOD no one goes through an experience like this.

GOD bless you, and happy new year.

Thank you.

Conclusion

I am as spontaneous as possible when I write articles on table topics. It means I will elaborate on the first idea which comes into my head. There may be better answers than the first idea. Writing the first answer helps me to simulate a live environment.

I am writing these stories on table topics to create a collection for competitions. It is tough to think on the spot. A compilation like this sounds like an excellent way to practice. Hence, this is my way of visualizing robust and impactful content. Recording these speeches is a part of my routine. It gives me invaluable input to work and improve. THANKS FOR READING THIS PIECE. Positive feedback will help growth.

Thanks

Tarun

See below links to other articles from this series on table topics: