HELP: Disclosing a stutter in a professional and NEUTRAL connotation
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HELP: Disclosing a stutter in a professional and NEUTRAL connotation Hello, Fellow Stutterers of Reddit! I work in a very professional, 3 Michelin star restaurant. I am having a problem at work. I am sporadically fluent. However, when I am explaining the dish in detail to a guest, I begin to stutter on [mandatory] troublesome works and take a long pauses. Saying “pimento” cheese is the bane of my existent right now, haha. Usually, in a more casual setting where I am the only person interacting with the table, I disclose that I stutter, so that they feel at ease. The problem with this restaurant in particular, I am speaking to every table in the restaurant, and cannot disclose my stutter before hand. I need some help on the verbiage that I can use when I am having a difficult moment. Management has told me that the guidelines for the restaurant CANNOT have a negative connotation. For example, I cannot say “I’m sorry, I have a stutter, as it takes me a few extra moments.” The problem is the “I’m sorry” portion. “Pardon me, excuse me, forgive me,” etc implies a negative connotation and a “mistake” on our part. Example: “Chive beignets resting on a swoosh of *INSERT STUTTER/AWKWARD PAUSE* pimento cheese.” Company lingo is heavy on “Please allow me check/send over the sommelier/etc.” Are there any dictionary/thesaurus/grammar wizards out there who can help me come up with a neutral connotation one-liner for when I’m having a difficult moment? Must be professional, short, and somewhat unobtrusive. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH <3