Should You Say "Thank You" or Apologize When You Give a Speech?

This is my weekly Vice President, Education post.

Last night I noticed one of our speakers caught themselves saying "Thank You" at the end of their speech. I read their reaction as they knew they made a mistake in doing so. But did they? How about apologizing?

Click this link to read a good article on the Toastmasters web site regarding saying "Thank You" and apologizing to an audience.

I agree with the writer. I believe you speak and behave according to the situation. What is appropriate under one set of circumstances may be inappropriate under another.

Consider what you find in the article and decide what you want to do when you are speaking. Remember, it's your speech and you are the one who has to live with the consequences, good or bad, of your words and actions.

What's your opinion? Feel free to comment here, I'd like to hear from you.

John Schneyer