Dumbed Down Droopy

I don't know what you all think of me here, but I hope I give the impression that I've got a brain in my head. I know I'm no Einstein, but, hey, I got a 'B' in calculus in college :).

But in person I apparently give a different impression. Some guy at work the other night was basically treating me like I was stupid. If it was just that one occurrence, I'd just write it off as the guy being an asshole, but it has happened to me several times. I guess when you think about it anybody who treats somebody like they're stupid is an asshole, but I'm thinking that I give that impression to other people as well, they are just nice enough not to say something about it.

Then it occurred to me that there is a switch that I click on in my head when I engage in intellectual activity- like reading a book or writing a story or writing a post like this. But as soon as I step out of the house the switch gets turned off and I show the world a different side of me. It's a guarded, reserved, quiet side that apparently some people mistake for stupidity.

I'm going to try to duct tape that switch into the 'on' position.

You can always drop the facade and shock the hell out of them if the need arises.

My two sons are B/W who BOTH are fluent in Japanese. Their fly-on-the-wall stories are absolutely HYSTERICAL. There's no need to confront those who don't get it. Let the assholes ASSume what they will.

I suspect that your work requires you to be less intellectual than you are here, with us...

You are far from dumb! You can do calculus........and I have trouble balancing my checkbook!

We have different personas depending on where we are and who we're talking to...

And you want to shift your work one to better reflect who you really are...

Go get 'em,Droopy!

:hi:

Yeah, truck drivin' don't require a lot of brains :).

and I think that the whole truck driver thing kinda feeds into a stereotype. I guess the whole being quiet thing probably doesn't help. You are very intelligent...In my industry (biotechnology/science) there is kinda the opposite problem. Anybody who has a PhD is assumed to be more intelligent than I, a plain BS even though I have tons of experience (equivalent to a Master's degree) but I learned a hard lesson at NIH a PhD is NO indicator of intelligence- there were some truly stupid PhD's there..From what I can tell you, a "simple" truck driver are probably smarter and more perceptive then some of those "scientists" I knew.
Cliches exist for a reason and "You can't judge a book by its cover" is something that happens alot.
BTW- I struggled with calculus myself I got a C and a B so kudos to you on doing well in a tough subject!
Don't worry about arrogant assholes who think you are stupid. Just be yourself, I suspect the people who treat you like that have some insecurity issues themselves

He didn't go to college, but he reads Chomsky like I eat donuts--he wolfs it down. I can't even admit to him that when he talks about economics, it goes way over my head. I've urged him to get active in politics, but he says he's too cynical for that. What a shame.

About halfway through the program every Ph. D. candidate realizes that for themselves, if not before. Ph. D.s indicate a willingness to put up with tons of ridiculous bullshit in order to get the degree. That's what it means.

When I'm at home, around my family or friends, I speak like a person who graduated from college. When I step outside the door, I dumb myself down a little. There have been a few places I've worked, or lived, that brought me down to earth. I realized that I didn't have to sound like the English major all the time; the important thing is being able to get close to people, not to sound like a snob. I don't consider myself to be more intelligent than anyone else, because I'm not. (But if somebody starts talking down to you, Droopy, let the intellectual in you come out).

I never thought differently. I would suggest that if you have had this happen several times, maybe it's because these days we have a lot more assholes around than we used to. No need to worry - it's on them. Besides, you beat my score in calculus!

I come across and aloof, serious, maybe a bit snobby. I'm totally the opposite really. People once they get to know me are often surprised at my sarcastic humor and silliness. I'm just really shy around people I don't know.

You've never come across as unintelligent to me.

some of the smartest people I know come off as "ordinary" in public. You are a wonderful writer , by the way.

A 'B 'in calculus????? DAMN!

That is why I love the lounge. People are always quick with a kind word in here and a bit of good advice when needed :).

my feeling is that no one should assume anything right off the bat - and give people a chance to show their true selves.

I've known a lot of very intelligent people who had little education. And I've known a lot of highly educated people who weren't overly intelligent but who had a lot of specific knowledge in a particular area which they worked hard to get. And then there are people like Bush who have an education and are dumber than a box of rocks (apologies to all the rocks I've just offended).

I also know what you mean about that switch - I think its something a lot of smart women are familiar with. I spent my high school years deliberately trying to project myself as less intelligent than I was in order to avoid intimidating boys - a stupid thing to do, I eventually realized. :P

Sometimes it can be a defense mechanism, or a way to try to fit in with others. Whatever it is, I've never thought of you as less than intelligent. :hi: