The Boy Scouts are the only ones who should “Be prepared.” The father of the bride should also have his speech prepared long before the wedding. If he does he will have time to practise it and as we all know such practice will make perfect. After all everything else will be practised. The singer will practise her songs, the couple will have a practise in church a few nights before the wedding and the bride’s mother will probably practise wearing her new shoes. Being prepared in advance also means that the father of the bride can relax and enjoy the wedding breakfast. His speech should, of course, refer to his pride in his daughter. It should mention some incidents during her growing years. It should speak glowingly of her new husband and welcome his people into the bride’s family. He may choose to give a few words of marital advice and his speech should end with a toast that expresses his loving wishes for his daughter’s happiness and that of her spouse.

Share on Facebook

Be a team player. That’s good advice whether you are in the military, an office or a football team. Too much attention seems to be given to the individual stars and there is no doubt that some people are outstanding in their fields. If we are to succeed in any given arena though we have to learn to pull together with others. Even the most talented player in any field will have some faults and will need the support or influence of others. Certainly even those who play individual sports will have support from coaches or mentors So being a team player is something that managers, officers and coaches have to get across to those they are training. As the saying goes, there is no i in the word team. Some will reply that there is me in team but that is a selfish and childish response. As the advertisement says, together we can make things happen.

Share on Facebook

Army officers don’t only give orders. There are also lots of occasions when they have to give speeches. Retirements and weddings are such occasions. They speak to their troop too when there is a change of command or when it is a question of deployment or re-enlistment. Whatever the occasion the speech has to express the core values of the army, values like loyalty, camaraderie and service. Some occasions are more formal than others and an after dinner speech can be light-hearted if those attending are celebrating, say a promotion if a close friend. Some occasions occur regularly too such as graduations and again the speech has to be motivational. Officers may be taught to shoot from the hip but good public speaking is another essential weapon in their armoury.

Share on Facebook

Most of us are taught to say “Please” and “Thank you.” When it comes to dinners and functions though there are other things that should be said. Someone should welcome the guests for instance. Guest speakers need to be thanked. There might be a toast to the ladies and someone would have to reply to that toast. It’s all about etiquette as well as good manners and every function is different. The armed forces, for instance, may have a loyal toast. So if you are organising a function ensure you know what ought to be said and ensure someone says just the right thing.

Share on Facebook

Do it now. That’s good advice whether it means doing a kindly act, improving your lifestyle or sorting out a quarrel. Too often too many of us put things on the long finger and many of the things we should do are put off until tomorrow. There can be many reasons. We may be too lazy or we may not know the best way to go about things. Breaking up with someone for instance can be difficult. So too can writing a letter of condolence. Nonetheless we always feel better when we do these things. Of course you should carefully consider some things before you do them. You wouldn’t, for instance, buy the first house you saw. Once you have decided that something needs to be done than do it immediately. You’ll be glad you did.

Share on Facebook

A Bar Mitzvah Day is more than a religious occasion. It is also a family occasion. It’s fitting then that someone in the family toasts the Bar Mitzvah boy. Such a speech obviously should be geared to those present, remembering that the boy in question is still young. So it shouldn’t be too long and it should be light-hearted although still sincere. You might mention the boy’s talents and skills, his hopes and aspirations. You should say what he means to you and your wishes for him in the future. Those listening will probably enjoy hearing about his foibles. You ought to give him words of advice which, hopefully, he will remember and perhaps quote when his own son is celebrating his Bar Mitzvah. It can be based on just one word such as love or faith or commitment. Whatever you choose to say always end your speech with a very special toast to a very special boy.

Share on Facebook

January the 25th is a night for hoots and hollers. In other words it’s Robert Burns night and it is a night for celebration for Scots all over the world. The anniversary of Robbie’s birth is a traditional affair with a piper piping the Haggis, a speaker giving a toast to the immortal memory of the great man not to mention toasts to the lassies and votes of thanks to the entertainers and to the Chair amongst others. It’s probably fair to say that lots of whisky is consumed on the night and certainly it’s a night when Scots celebrate their hero long into the night. Nobody liked such a celebration more than Robbie and although he is long since gone he is undoubtedly with his fellow countrymen in spirit on the night.

Share on Facebook

It’s difficult when you are asked to give a eulogy for a colleague. You feel as though there are others, particularly family members, who could do a better job. Yet often people spend hours more with their working colleagues than they do with their families. Certainly you can speak from a completely different perspective having worked with the diseased. That does not mean that you should not do your homework while preparing the eulogy. You should know the main relevant facts about his or her life, such as number of children he or she had and the names of his or her family. Family members will be happy to tell you what the deceased meant to them. Other than that though you should speak of his or her abilities and talents in a working situation. You should pay tribute to the input the deceased had made during the working day. You might speak of how he or she always helped newcomers settle in or shared his or her expertise with colleagues. You might mention something personal such as the cream bun he or she always had at coffee break. Perhaps he or she ran the social committee? Whatever you say speak of how much your colleague was admired and respected in the work situation. That will certainly bring some comfort to those who are grieving.

Share on Facebook

What will you say at your friend’s birthday bash? Most of us leave it to relatives to give birthday toasts but it is an ideal opportunity to tell a friend just what he or she means in your life. After all they don’t choose their family but they do choose you. So you must have something that appeals to them and they must have something in their make-up that calls out to you. So if it is your friend’s 40th birthday stand up and be counted by saying what he or she means to you. Talk about shared incidents or his or her kindness to you when you were ill or in trouble. Speak about the interests you have in common and the things you do together. Make it light-hearted because a birthday is not a time for sad stories. Above all try to find a toast that is particularly appropriate to end your speech.

Share on Facebook

The father of the bride usually has very little to say in organising a wedding. Usually men are profoundly grateful to leave such organising to their womenfolk. Traditionally, though, the father of the bride usually speaks at the wedding reception. Some of them lose sleep at the prospect. Others are merely nervous but there is no need to be. If the speech is well prepared and well rehearsed the warmth with which friends and family listen will usually ensure it is a success. So welcome the guests, especially your daughter’s new in-laws. Speak glowingly of your daughter. Tell an incident or two about her growing years and express your pride in her and her accomplishments. Mention how ideally suited your new son-in-law is to her and express your belief that he is the ideal match for her. Speak about marriage itself and what it means and, if applicable, mention your own happiness with her mother. Above all end with a personal toast to the bride and groom.

Share on Facebook