General Etiquette > Life...in general
"Wow, you must be really smart"
Sootikin:
--- Quote from: Oh Joy on July 17, 2012, 04:37:11 PM ---Could you try a modern-day equivalent of 'Then why is my VCR still flashing 12:00?' or some other everyday problem humor?
--- End quote ---
Why should she pretend to be clueless when she obviously isn't. I'd say "Yes I am!" with a big warm smile and just carry on the conversation.
Or just 'thanks' as others have suggested.
The Ricker:
You're Ivy-League educated and asking us how to thrust and parry with the hoi polloi? ;D
figee:
I've found that when people find out that I have a PhD and work as an academic, they say the same thing 'Wow, you must be really smart!' or 'Oh. So you're the intelligent one'. It tends to make for an uncomfortable silence. I've started going for the 'No, not really. Just over-educated.' with a smile, which tends to make people laugh and we move on. The thing is that most of the people I know have the same qualifications, and certainly everyone I work with does, and so it's really no big deal. Intelligence doesn't always equate to education (in that you can be intelligent without being educated), and I guess I'd try to focus on that instead.
JoyinVirginia:
” well, i've been working in this area for a while” is good when people make disparaging comments about themselves. And thank you is always correct.
Midnight Kitty:
--- Quote from: newbiePA on July 17, 2012, 05:01:32 PM ---I get this a fair bit as well. My usual answer is, "I'm a hard worker". Because I know part of success is inborn intelligence, but most is due to a lot of hard work and studying. It didn't just happen.
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Parking my POD here.
I went to community college for the first 3 years, then finished up at Stanford University for the last 2 years. There was a 7 year gap (and 1 marriage) between high school and starting college, so I had to get a "running start." I met many people who were smarter than me. Attending Stanford was a humbling experience.
So if someone says "Wow! Engineer from Stanford - you must be really smart!" I honestly say, "I'm really more of a hard worker; It doesn't come easily to me." I also get the "Stanford! You/your parents must be rich!" That one is easy - "Rich? Not after paying off my student loans!" ;D
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