Simple but easy trick to sound articulate: Pause instead of saying 'um'. How to eliminate filled words.

ThrowawayPUA · 2013-04-15T18:07:47+00:00

I just heard a podcast by a proPUA, at times, he used "like" as a filler word so frequently, it became annoying. This gives a horrible impression, it makes you seem dumb. I think in this particular case, the guy really was dumb. Knew his PUA shit, but dumb as a box of rocks.

On a related note, learn the difference between "like" and "as."

_quickdrawmcgraw_ · 2013-04-15T21:00:42+00:00

Yes! I started doing this after taking a public speaking class. Instead of saying uhm or uh during presentations, we were all taught to pause. Incredibly effective since pauses build tension with the listener, and also because removing filler words makes you sound much more articulate. Saying uhm or uh every now and again isn't bad, but frequent use will really hurt other people's perception of you.

Only problem is that the "likes" are back for me, time to start concentrating on removing them and adding pauses.

Thepimpandthepriest · 2013-04-16T01:25:10+00:00

So, just pause instead of saying "like" or "um"?

PureMath86 · 2013-04-16T17:16:43+00:00

A simple technique is to simply repeat what you previously said for more emphasis –to fill the space with an in summa or an emphatic statement. Let me fix the Woody Allen example to illustrate:

Woody:

Why is life worth living? It's a very good question. Um . . . Well, there are certain things I guess that make it worthwhile. Uh, like what?

Improvement:

Why is life worth living? It's a very good question. One we all must answer for ourselves. There are certain things that make it worth while –each unique to the individual. Like what?

Woody:

Okay . . . um . . . for me, uh . . . oh, I would say . . . what, Groucho Marx, to name one thing. Uh . . . um . . . and Willie Mays . . . and um . . . the second movement of the Jupiter Symphony . . . and um . . .

Improvement:

Well, for me, there is any number of things, I would say Groucho Marx, to name one. Another is Willie Mays and then there is the second movement of the Jupiter Symphony. Do you follow? There is a diverse array of valuable experiences –a kaleidoscope of love, joy, humor, and so forth. There's...

Woody:

Louis Armstrong's "Potato Head Blues" . . . um . . . Swedish movies, naturally, Sentimental Education by Flaubert . . . uh . . . Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra . . .

Improvement:

Louis Armstrong's "Potato Head Blues" –an absolutely fantastic piece– and Swedish movies, naturally. There is Sentimental Education by Flaubert and let's not forget the greats: Brando, Sinatra,...

Woody:

um those incredible apples and pears by Cezanne . . . uh . . . the crabs at Sam Wo's . . . uh . . . Tracy's face.

Improvement:

Oh! And how could I forget those incredible apples and pears by Cezanne? I mean, come on? And then there's the crabs at Sam Wo's –mouth-watering. And there's Tracy's face. I mean, there are too many to name once you stop to think about it.

Caveat:

It is still interesting to listen to Woody Allen even parsed in such a horribly inarticulate manner, because Woody Allen is interesting. And he is interesting, because he is dangerously honest. So, key point: BE INTERESTING and DON'T FAKE IT –BE HONEST And if you are interesting, confident, and articulate, you will definitely see results.

Remember, practice makes perfect.

Title	Simple but easy trick to sound articulate: Pause instead of saying 'um'. How to eliminate filled words.
Author	Thepimpandthepriest
Upvotes	133
Comments	12
Date	April 15, 2013 5:34 PM UTC (13 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/seduction
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/seduction/comments/1cefu4/simple_but_easy_trick_to_sound_articulate_pause/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/seduction/simple-but-easy-trick-to-sound-articulate-pause.1350670 https://theredarchive.com/post/1350670

Comments