Tammi's World

My Own Language

I've always known I speak my own language. TammiSpeak as it were. Mostly that consists of words I TRY to pronounce correctly, but mess up none the less.

But even more than that....there is a language of my past. Phrases I've picked up over the years, that are just uniquely....me.

The most obvious, of course is "This is what I'm gonna need for you to do...." That actually came from a good friend of mine, also in sales. We HATE being micro managed and were working for someone at the time that just didn't understand that, Yes, we really do have a functioning brain. While he never said it, it was always implied. We started using it as a signal that we were dealing with an asshole and were well aware of it!

A phrase the women in my family have used for generations - Thrashers Crew - came about because for years and years and years they had to deal with them. "I cooked enough for a thrashers crew" is the best way to explain I could have fed an army. I'm always amazed at the looks I get when I use that. Hell, I thought EVERYONE knew what a thrashers crew was!

Something else I say, probably too much, is "I need to tell you". That came about because for YEARS I hung around with folks that, believe it or not, actually out talked ME. I had to fight to get a word in edge wise. So, in order to be heard or taken seriously I'd start my sentences out with that little phrase. Now? It's habit.

One of my favorites is "Shits and Giggles". Been sayin' that for as long as I could cuss without gettin' my mouth washed out with soap. Often times it slips out even with my filter firmly in place. Oops. Probably gonna wanna work on that......

I bring this up because I'm just noticing how odd some folks think my speech is. My phraseology as it were. I don't notice, and my family doesn't even pay attention - hell, most of them are as bad as I am. But other folks? Customers, friends? Yeah, I'll often catch a look or grin when I let something slip.

Now, in public speaking they'll often times tell you to avoid those sorts of things. Me? No Way!! When I'm making a presentation it's just like when we have a conversation. (And no, you can't usually talk back at either instance!) I believe in keeping it real. I believe in being myself. It makes the presentation more interesting and a hell of a lot easier to do. If I script something out or have to worry every word or phrase? Well, then it comes out "fakey" to use a term my sister is overly fond of.

And one thing you should know about me. I ain't fakey. Can't, no WON'T do it. It's like lying. To hard to keep up the pretence. And honestly? I have better things to worry about than what I said to who, when. I am what I am. Good bad or indifferent.

But so far...it's workin' out alright.

What about you? Care to share any of your Personal Speak??

Posted by Tammi at July 31, 2007 10:07 AM | TrackBack