Monocle editor shares 15 public-speaking tips after Chengdu gender mix-up
In a personal essay for Monocle, editor Andrew Tuck recounts a 2019 conference in Chengdu where he mistakenly referred to a Chinese woman with a short haircut as 'gentleman,' leading to an awkward but ultimately friendly exchange. The incident shaped his 15 tips for moderating panels and public speaking, including: arrive early to see the stage, choose a handheld mic for control, embrace nerves as adrenaline, avoid heavy lunch before late sessions, keep questions crisp, and always wear glasses for audience questions. Tuck emphasizes listening to panelists, staying flexible, and ending on time.
Key facts
- Incident occurred in Chengdu, 2019, during a Monocle conference on making better cities.
- Andrew Tuck mistook a Chinese woman with a 1930s-style haircut for a man.
- The woman worked for the government and laughed off the mistake.
- Tuck offers 15 public-speaking tips drawn from his experience.
- Tips include: see the stage beforehand, use a handheld mic, embrace nerves, avoid wine at lunch, keep questions sharp, and end on time.
- Tuck prefers standing while moderating for higher energy.
- He recommends memorizing key words rather than using notes.
- The essay was published on Monocle's website.
Entities
Artists
- Andrew Tuck
Institutions
- Monocle
Locations
- Chengdu
- China
Sources
- Monocle —