It kinda bugs me when a person describes someone and they say that!

Are you saying they are smater than I? Are you saying they belong to a certain smart club?

What makes a person smart?

Like they are going to say, "he/ she is funny, has a great personality but he's as dumb as a box of rocks!" Because you say they are smart or dumb (not smart), what kind of label are you placing on that person?

I've said it to describe someone, but what does that really mean??

If you're so smart........then why is you're life such a mess???

I know "book smart" people that have NOOOOO common sense and couldn't find their way out of a paper bag and are socially and mentally inept!

Book smart....street smart...common sense....we all can fuction one way or another...right?

[Edited 6/8/12 12:35pm]

IMHO

A smart person can manuver in any crowd gracefully and learn to be flexible and adapt to all types of settings.

"Smart" people must be savvy, and know how to fix stuff... in any given situation.

Many smart people can be manipulative also, so being smart may not be a good thing to others if the smart person decides to use their wit for dubious purposes.

Now any knucklehead can memorize a book...but its how you apply what you learn that's key.

So some dummies can go to college and some geniuses can learn to navigate well through society without knowing how to read or write.Its all in how the knowledge obtained is put to use.

Funny thing, the smartest people I know usually give themselves away by possessing a great sense of humor and tend to captivate people with their natural charm.

NOW....

when some person says to me "Oh my your kids are smart!" like they are all shocked because they had such a low expectation of folks like me, then I get offended.

I HATE being complimented in that way because its really an insult to me.

paintedlady said:

NOW....

when some person says to me "Oh my your kids are smart!" like they are all shocked because they had such a low expectation of folks like me, then I get offended.

I HATE being complimented in that way because its really an insult to me.

exactly! that's what I failed to say. People use it as a compliment, but when it's used that way, are they really saying their expectations were low in the first place??

I say something profound and I get..."wow, you're really smart." Yeah MF, I can read!!

LOL so now it's insulting to say someone is smart? I guess we need to stop saying anything about anyone!

I have a friend that I describe as smart because no matter what situation, she knows about it. She adapts well, she brings a lot to the table. She is not a "know it all" but she definitely knows what she's talking about.

I have been described as smart but when people say it about me it's not necessarily because of the above description. I think they mean "quick witted" and they are impressed with my memory.

And in the case of children, especially really young ones, it means they're ugly.

NDRU said:

Translation: "I really think he/she is dumb but since they have made some accomplishments, perhaps I can be nice and give them some kudos to convince myself that he/she really isn't the big dummy that I thought they were".

JuliePurplehead said:

And in the case of children, especially really young ones, it means they're ugly.

no wait....