We look past them, we try to avoid eye contact or politely but with a degree of embarrassment refuse their request. Our reasons for doing so are multiple but the reality is most of us could spare more than we frequently do. What would they use it for? Why don’t they have any? Can you really not spare even just a little?
Audiences are begging for presenters not just to ignore them, avoid eye contact or behave as though they don’t exist. They are looking for you to consider them, to connect with them and treat them as people not the enemy or a threat. When you do, you will be hugely rewarded; so will they.
