Dear Ah-Counter,

This one is for you.

I write to you on behalf of Toastmasters worldwide. As we commence a new training year, please, stop hunting us? Seriously. Every time we say uh or like, we feel your eyes burning a hole through our souls as you scribble furiously on your little sheet of paper.

Let us live, please!!! Now, let’s clear the air. The English language is a tricky little beast. Sometimes, the very words you label as fillers are actually doing a noble job. For instance:

• Like” can compare two things: She runs like the wind. (That’s poetry, not a crutch.)
• So” can glue two thoughts together: I was hungry, so I ate cake. (That’s good decision- making, not filler.)
• And,” “but,” and “well” can give rhythm, emphasis, or even style when used intentionally.

So, not every “so,” “like,” or “well” deserves to be dragged into the Ah-Counter’s courtroom. Sometimes, they’re just doing their job. But (and here’s where your clipboard comes in), when we lean on these words too often, they become verbal crutches. Instead of sounding confident, we sound like we’re hobbling along on uhhs and umms. That’s when we lose credibility. That’s when our message gets fuzzy. That’s when your notes matter.

The truth: The aim of counting filler words isn’t to embarrass anyone (please don’t make us cry mid-speech) or eliminate using them altogether. It’s to build awareness. When we notice how often we use them, we can choose when to use them with purpose, when to pause and take a breath for emphasis, and when to set them aside for a clear, powerful speech.

So, dear Ah-Counter, we thank you for your service. Keep counting, keep scribbling, keep

reporting, but maybe… ease up on the death stare and ferocious scribbling. We promise, we’re working on it.

Gratefully (and cautiously),

Arobo Ako

On behalf of all Toastmasters Who Are Trying