I just completed reading the section on informal oral presentations that pertained to audience/speaker distance. As I read the section and reflect on it, I realize that this situation happens all the time. Every time someone begins a conversation with someone else, the two parties have to agree on an appropriate distance. Many of these decisions have become second nature, but these inherent decisions are definitely there, these decisions are unnoticed because they can be instantaneous. For example, a conversation with my brother or sister would be very informal, we are both aware of this and do not have to spend a lot of time analyzing the formality of the conversation. On the other side of the spectrum, I have communicated with people that I am not familiar with or are my senior. Both parties instantaneously realize the conversation will be formal. For instance, at work, I have had to report to him for certain assignments and responsibilities. The conversations between my boss and I were always formal. Of course we have now since got to the point where formal communication and presentations are no longer necessary.

An informal level of communication should be the goal for all parties (atleast it is usually my goal). I always try to reach this level of communication, I believe it is much more personal and efficient. Informal conversations and presentations allow people to speak with their guard down. If everyone participating in the conversation had their “guard down,” ideas and opinions could be discussed and contemplated that would otherwise never be raised. Referring to my previous example, my boss and I have attained a level of personal, informal conversation. This level of conversation has opened up a whole new window of ideas and opinions. We are also now to speak with each other quicker and more efficiently, because we can easily get to the “same page.”

Truthful informal conversation should be the goal of all communication, however it is not something that can be pressured by one parties. Pressure to communicate informally by one party only lengthens this process.