Are intelligent people arrogant?

[terry78]

Another female at work brought this up, saying that she doesn't date "smart guys" because they're boring and make her feel like an idiot, and have a tendency to talk down to her. I've met many a dumb dude that's just as arrogant, only it's with other things he may be good at, but apparantly the intellectual arrogance hits her harder than a guy that may be buff or can play sports well, I assume. If you're the intellectual or the moron, do you feel this is accurate?

 

[Spidey]

Only if they know they're of an above-average intellect.

 

[The Kid]

Don't women make all men feel dumb?

 

[Machx72]

It's only perceived arrogance, because the less intelligent people generally don't comprehend what the more intelligent ones are talking about as easily.

It's kind of like when people say, "I'm a pretty good biker." In today's society, it immediately gets perceived as arrogance, simply because someone was not afraid to admit that he's good at something.

This society has become based around low self-esteem, which is evident in most females these days [with anorexia and weighing 95 pounds being "fads"].

 

[Kmack]

Sometimes, yes. Then there are those who are slightly embarrassed by their intellect and purposely act like morons.

 

[Ghostvirus]

It's only perceived arrogance, because the less intelligent people generally don't comprehend what the more intelligent ones are talking about as easily.

It's kind of like when people say, "I'm a pretty good biker." In today's society, it immediately gets perceived as arrogance, simply because someone was not afraid to admit that he's good at something.

This society has become based around low self-esteem, which is evident in most females these days [with anorexia and weighing 95 pounds being "fads"].

Couldn't have said it better my self. Ignorance is the fad these days.

 

[Spider-Bite]

It's only perceived arrogance, because the less intelligent people generally don't comprehend what the more intelligent ones are talking about as easily.

It's kind of like when people say, "I'm a pretty good biker." In today's society, it immediately gets perceived as arrogance, simply because someone was not afraid to admit that he's good at something.

This society has become based around low self-esteem, which is evident in most females these days [with anorexia and weighing 95 pounds being "fads"].

Extremely true. It's like if you say "I'm pretty smart when it comes to this topic" they assume you just called them an idiot.

The thing is that when they say that, then it does make me feel like they are an idiot for being stupid enough to assume I called them an idiot when I didn't.

 

[Hollow Wood Director]

It's only perceived arrogance, because the less intelligent people generally don't comprehend what the more intelligent ones are talking about as easily.

It's kind of like when people say, "I'm a pretty good biker." In today's society, it immediately gets perceived as arrogance, simply because someone was not afraid to admit that he's good at something.

This society has become based around low self-esteem, which is evident in most females these days [with anorexia and weighing 95 pounds being "fads"].

Are you based in the UK? From my experiences living in Britain and America I would have to say the British culture is more reserved when it comes to talking about ones achievements or abilities. It's always been frowned upon to talk boastfully about ones skills and talents it's regarded as a low class trait. However in America it's perfectly acceptable to talk about such things without shame or fear of recriminations. I'd have to disagree with your assessment of society as a whole, low self esteem isn't very evident in the States.

 

[Carcharodon]

My girlfriend and I are in college, and we have many of the same classes. If we work on homework or other assignements together, or talk about certain topics, she tells me that I talk down to her and that I'm arrogant. She's probably right, too. It's just that I don't mean to be.

I don't consider myself that smart, but she does; she tells me I'm really smart all the time, but I try to play it down. Yet somehow I still come off as arrogant.

 

[Machx72]

Are you based in the UK? From my experiences living in Britain and America I would have to say the British culture is more reserved when it comes to talking about ones achievements or abilities. It's always been frowned upon to talk boastfully about ones skills and talents it's regarded as a low class trait. However in America it's perfectly acceptable to talk about such things without shame or fear of recriminations. I'd have to disagree with your assessment of society as a whole, low self esteem isn't very evident in the States.

I'm in the U.S., although I have lived in England before.

Talking boastfully is one thing- that's actual arrogance.

Saying you're good at something when you actually are, that's not being boastful.

It's not cocky if you can back it up.

If Josh Groban said, "I'm a good singer," would that be cocky? I hate his music, but he's a damned good singer.

As for the U.S., the media portrays us as snobby, high-class, *******s. The average, every-day person- and this is especially notable with females- has incredibly low self-esteem because of the image Hollywood and the media portrays.

 

[Hollow Wood Director]

I'm in the U.S., although I have lived in England before.

Talking boastfully is one thing- that's actual arrogance.

Saying you're good at something when you actually are, that's not being boastful.

It's not cocky if you can back it up.

If Josh Groban said, "I'm a good singer," would that be cocky? I hate his music, but he's a damned good singer.

As for the U.S., the media portrays us as snobby, high-class, *******s. The average, every-day person- and this is especially notable with females- has incredibly low self-esteem because of the image Hollywood and the media portrays.

I understand what you are saying, but other cultures perceptions of where to draw the line are different. Yes it's great to admit you are good at something if you really are and can back that up, but there is a tipping point to all of this and that kind of behavior can manifest itself in either a mild or overt form of excessive conceit. Culturally Americans are more accepting of self promotion, Brits tend to view it with more distain. The downside to the cautious approach taken by British people is that they often get ignored, and sidelined for those with a more vocal approach. Americans are taught to fear failure both on a financial and status level, so they are spurned on by this will to succeed which is an admirable quality to have in a society where becoming something is the main objective. Perhaps the pressure to win and achieve great things all the time is a little over powering for Americans who do not do so well and this has a direct correlation with their a low self esteem. The Brits do not have such a problem with low self esteem because we don't set these high standards and values upon ourselves thus never feeling the need to fulfill these demands.

Now if we're talking about concerns with body image then I'd have to agree with you that there is an ever increasing problem with Western culture thanks to the media and the way they sell ideas to us. More and more people both women and men are becoming fixated with a positive body image to the point where narcissism and vanity have taken precedence over good common sense. This excessive preoccupation with the unattainable and unmanageable has deep and damaging implications to our emotional state of well being.

 

[Iceman]

Intelligence and arrogance are two separate things. An intelligent person can be as arrogant (or not) as they choose.

 

[CyberFaust]

modesty is for the tupid

but only if you aren't better than me damnit!

 

[Ice-man]

Are arrogant people intelligent?

 

[CyberFaust]

Are arrogant people intelligent?

verry few, see paris hilton

 

[BlackLantern]

I would say that people can be susceptible to arrogance if they think they are smarter than everyone around them. as far women who would rather date a dumba$$...go ahead....when you're tired of that spiky haired gym rat in a too tight polo shirt smacking you around, you'll be begging for a smart guy

 

[tzarinna]

They can be.

 

[Manic]

I think it comes down to lowered expectations toward your peers. If there's a topic you know a lot about, but you rarely find anyone else who does, then you might start to get a little condescending. And that attitude could carry over into other discussions.

Just look at doctors. They get so used to no one but other doctors knowing what metacarpal bones and cauterization are, that they just get used to talking down to people. That's why if you ever go to the hospital, your doctor talks to you like you don't know what you came in for.

 

[SLVRSR4]

Some intelligent people just say what they know because they can't believe someone else was unaware of what was common knowledge to them. if they do this a lot they are seen as arrogant

 

[Machx72]

Oh yeah? Well, I'm more arrogant than ALL of you!

 

[blind_fury]

Yes. Which is dumb because they may or may not deserve their high IQ.

Why the conceit? They didn't earn their high IQ. It was given to them on a silver platter.

 

[Immortalfire]

I understand what you are saying, but other cultures perceptions of where to draw the line are different. Yes it's great to admit you are good at something if you really are and can back that up, but there is a tipping point to all of this and that kind of behavior can manifest itself in either a mild or overt form of excessive conceit. Culturally Americans are more accepting of self promotion, Brits tend to view it with more distain. The downside to the cautious approach taken by British people is that they often get ignored, and sidelined for those with a more vocal approach. Americans are taught to fear failure both on a financial and status level, so they are spurned on by this will to succeed which is an admirable quality to have in a society where becoming something is the main objective. Perhaps the pressure to win and achieve great things all the time is a little over powering for Americans who do not do so well and this has a direct correlation with their a low self esteem. The Brits do not have such a problem with low self esteem because we don't set these high standards and values upon ourselves thus never feeling the need to fulfill these demands.

Now if we're talking about concerns with body image then I'd have to agree with you that there is an ever increasing problem with Western culture thanks to the media and the way they sell ideas to us. More and more people both women and men are becoming fixated with a positive body image to the point where narcissism and vanity have taken precedence over good common sense. This excessive preoccupation with the unattainable and unmanageable has deep and damaging implications to our emotional state of well being.

Dood, where the hell did you come from?

 

[XtromaniaK]

Yes. Which is dumb because they may or may not deserve their high IQ.

Why the conceit? They didn't earn their high IQ. It was given to them on a silver platter.

Except that they must use it to have the knowledge. They aren't just born knowing about quantum physics, they have to work to learn about and understand it.

Don't be stupid.

 

[BlackLantern]

I can agree with the "common knowledge" statement. There are some things i know alot about, but i also have the distinction of knowing when to curb the need to spout out about it. Thats the distinction...some people flaunt it....intellegence i mean...and some don't....Those who do are labeled arrogant sometimes and those who don't can be ostracized by their peers for not flaunting it. its all about the happy medium if there is one

 

[Sensi]

Intelligence and arrogance are two separate things. An intelligent person can be as arrogant (or not) as they choose.

I agree. Sometimes the smartest are the quietest.