Very interesting anecdote. I wasn't able to compete in physical competitions so I did get support undertaking Speech & Debate, eventually earning enough points

Very interesting anecdote. I wasn't able to compete in physical competitions so I did get support undertaking Speech & Debate, eventually earning enough points to become a National Forensics League member. Having the self-assuredness to stand in front of 5 people (waiter) or 300 strangers (movie theater employee) and deliver information and interact is a skill that can't be taught out of a book. Also, unlike calculus or basic physics, human interaction and social norms are very fluid. As in math through high school and college and in the professional field is pretty static. Human interaction in each of those spheres / times of life, not so much. I think in certain disciplines there's study in "code switching" which attempts to describe the phenomenon. Such as an educated, excellent speaking person sliding into a drawl and slang when hanging around family members which don't share the same expectations of communication.