Tonight we were thinking about good communication – the art of talking naturally and trying not to think too hard about the next words to come.
Tonight’s meeting was also the first tryout of the Room Layout Experiment – the first time the club has tried running the meeting from the middle of the room at Larry’s rather than at either end.
Did this aid good communication and give more people a view of the speakers? The overall consensus was a resounding yes.
As always the topics session promoted some robust discussions; in particular topicmaster Eilish’s opening query about media coverage of the Duchess of Cambridge’s topless sunbathing produced interesting results. K Middy was defended in chivalrous fashion by the men while the women agreed that she knew what she was getting into and should cover up 
to avoid being papped by the papps.
On a more serious note a discussion of kids leaving school following their Junior Cert had a number of contributors discussing the role of the family and society in education.
Other topics managed to compare Finland with the always prominent delights of Wexford, the horror of Christmas displays in August and a passionate argument for theatre-going over cinemas.
During the prepared speeches we learned that in Vietnam the war with the US is known as the American War, and that Vietnam was involved in conflicts with France, the US and China in succession. Techniques for dealing with difficult people were covered – how do you defuse a tank? We also witnessed a moving and laugh-inducing best man’s speech which a lucky groom (and bride) will hear in the next week or so.
Vital Statistics
Word of the day: inimitable
Poetmaster: Colette Bishop, This be the Verse by Philip Larkin
Best topic: Jill Forde on an uncomfortable encounter in Paris
Best evaluation: Maria Mac Mullan
Merrilyn, VPPR