--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The last thing in the world I should have…" description: "\"The last thing in the world I should have done was go into the theater because was inordinately shy as a young man. I couldn't open my mouth. At a part..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2a/gale-gordon-56654_done_the-last-thing-in-the-world-i-should-hav_1936040.jpg" --- # The last thing in the world I should have done was go into… ![“The last thing in the world I should have done was go into the theater because was inordinately shy as a young man. I couldn't open my mouth. At a party, I was the one stuck up against the wall. I was embarrassed about talking. I felt that I couldn't talk well.” quote by Gale Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2a/gale-gordon-56654_done_the-last-thing-in-the-world-i-should-hav_1936040.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2a/gale-gordon-56654_done_the-last-thing-in-the-world-i-should-hav_1936040.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2a/gale-gordon-56654_done_the-last-thing-in-the-world-i-should-hav_1936040.jpg) > “The last thing in the world I should have done was go into the theater because was inordinately shy as a young man. I couldn't open my mouth. At a party, I was the one stuck up against the wall. I was embarrassed about talking. I felt that I couldn't talk well.” [Gale Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gale-gordon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He felt extreme shyness prevented him from speaking, especially in public venues like theaters and parties. **In simple terms:** Shyness stopped him from speaking in public. Key Takeaway Practice speaking in low‑pressure settings. Themes shyness public speaking confidence social anxiety Mood anxious reflective Type personal advice When to use this quote - stage performance - social gatherings - career networking Key Concepts self‑esteem communication skills performance anxiety Questions to Reflect On - What small step can you take to speak up today? - How can you create a safe space for practice? A Different Perspective Shyness can be mitigated with gradual exposure and supportive environments. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Embarrassed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/embarrassed/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Party](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/party/) [Stuck up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stuck-up/) [Theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theater/) [Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wall/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [I always say that comedians and actors were all kind of shy when they were young. I was very, believe it or not, kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/i-always-say-that-comedians-and-actors-were-all-kind-of-shy-when-they/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [K. Thiagarajan is a painfully shy young man. 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