It probably is part of the USA-ian culture to present and sell your self or your work. It works great to present your work succinctly. I like listening to poste

It probably is part of the USA-ian culture to present and sell your self or your work. It works great to present your work succinctly. I like listening to poster presentations given by USA-ians. Or very introductory talks about upcoming research projects. However, once these talks are longer than, say, 15 minutes, I often feel that it is too exaggerated, too much focused on selling rather than trying to convey a deeper understanding of their research. I don't feel taken seriously as a listener; I feel as if the whole talk becomes an argument of authority. Then again, it is mostly a feeling and, when talking to the presenters afterwards, they are nice and knowledgeable and uncertain and all that. It seems more of a cultural difference really. In that respect I prefer listening to English (Great-Brittanish to count in those from Ireland, Sctoland) speakers. As a European, I feel I better connect with their stories than with those of USA-ians. Still, presenting in English is hard for most of us who don't speak that language fluently. Speaking in public is hard in itself, but trying to convey your message in a tongue that isn't your own is frustratingly difficult. Personally I lack a basic English vocabulary as I learned the language later in life focusing on scientific and professional literature. I often find myself able to string more difficult words into a reasonable English sentence, whereas I am unable to explain it in plain words. Especially when talking or making conversation. Writing is easier in this respect: I have time to think and to look up words if needed.