It's not Impor ant

It's important.  T is not a hard letter to pronounce.  You just said it's, so you must be up to the task.  Yet I hear this more and more.  Skipping this letter in the middle of a word is a type of slang, but it doesn't make you look good in a speech or presentation.  It certainly won't make people believe that you pay attention to details or give little things your best effort.

These days we have seen that the most well-known people in Washington, New York, Hollywood, and the pulpit are quite capable of low behavior, thank you very much.  Forget trying to sound "street", or casual, as if you're indifferent to societal norms and decorum.  Apparently everyone is.

If you really want to stand out, set yourself some high standards.  Skip the shocking language, the minimal effort level, and give it everything you've got.  You will be surprised at how others' perception of you improves.  For most of my speaking and teaching work I am required to gather feedback on surveys.  Although the crowd I sit with at lunch will sometimes tease me for avoiding the off-color humor that is easy to come by, my students have never once complained that I don't swear enough or tell enough crude jokes.  This is over 12 years of teaching in many different settings. 

What I am suggesting is that you take the high road as often as possible.  Using slang or profanity doesn't necessarily make you "authentic".  In fact, you might sound casual or insincere.  You may also sound like you don't take your responsibility as a speaker seriously.  Your listeners may wonder whether you have paid enough attention to details as you did your research, or reasoned through your arguments.

Of course you would like to sound interesting and relateable.  But you can do this with strong examples from your own life story, or even giving out some deeper information that your audience might not get in other places.

To sum up, always do your best to elevate yourself and your audience.

And Your Point is...?

Him:  Do you think we could have a whole conversation that is only questions?

Her:  Why do you want to know?

Him:  Aren’t you the least bit curious?

Her:  Do you have time to try it?

Him:  What else have we got to do?

Her:  Where should we start?

Him:  Isn’t it a little late to ask that?

Her:  Is that the time?

Him:  Are you going?

Her:  What do you think?

Him:  See you tomorrow?