Intellectual Snobs!

katekelly

I recently had cause to meet someone through work who I can only describe as an 'Intellectual Snob'. he was one of these people who is so up themselves that within 5 minutes of meeting him I knew which university he went to, that he had a first and that he was a member of Mensa.
Now don't get me wrong I'm all for education and my biggest regret was the fact that I was never given the chance of going to university. When I grew up (as some of you may know in the Irish Republic) only very wealthy families sent their off-spring to uni and although my parents could afford it neither of them had been and they were of the opinion that they did all right - and indeed they did.
My Hubby was a mature student and didn't go to uni until his late twenties and he got his degree and hasn't looked back career wise. But never once have I heard him on introducing himself to someone say 'Hello I'm Bernard Kelly Bsc(Hons)'. So is my Hubby right not to 'big himself up' or is it just that this guy I met was so full of his own bull**** he thought everyone wanted to hear it?

Any thoughts? The floor is open.

mellman01

I know exactly what you mean, just because someone has this or that qualification doesn’t mean they are automatically right every time, that said this type of attitude problem isn’t just the reserve of those with money and or qualifications, where I work we have guys who like me are industrial workers in heavy industry now you would think that they have empathy with those around and below them, nope not a chance they throw food and papers around the rest room kitchen etc and don’t give a hoot about the poor old cleaners who have to follow them around.
Just because someone is of a lower rank doesn’t mean anyone above them should treat them with less respect than they would a dog the same goes for those with power, they probably got there by standing on the necks of others anyway, we get graduates that come straight out of university and then come to us to orientate themselves with the power industries dirty end of the stick before they whiz off to head office to drive a desk making real decisions with real pens and nice clean computers, no getting covered in fuel oil and coal dust of crawling up a 100 foot ladder in a howling gale at 3am to free an old damper that has stuck due to snow and ice shorting out the electrics, oh no they are qualified and therefore automatically know more than I can ever do although I have spent over 10 years getting burnt frozen soaked and generally exhausted trying to keep a 40 year old turbine generating as some noddie in an office wont allow decent money to be spent on proper equipment due to a few extra pence it saves or so they think, as in the long run it doesn’t but hey as long as it fits into their gant chart predictions alls well in their little corporate world so they will get their nice little bonus so the new car is in the bag, result!.
No wonder the country is in the state it’s in it’s in love with office based none jobs, the real engine comes from what you can produce and ultimately sell to others, it’s not from shuffling paper or creative accounting or stock exchange bonds at are about as real as a pack of cards in a Paul Daniel’s magic trick.
Our real power and ultimately the fate and long term wealth of this country can be found in it’s industry, or as it is right now in the ashes of it’s industrial past, ever since Thatcher and the unions destroyed our industrial soul through intransigence and dare I say bigotry we have been living on borrowed time and money, sadly this can’t carry on as it is, soon we wont be able to borrow anymore then what?, they say that civilisation is one meal away from anarchy it could well be one power cut away as well soon we will see I fear.
You can’t try and hide from reality as this government and previous governments have done but when the last bit of silver and the last lump of coal brunt will we understand have been writing cheques that have no value, but even now our so called leaders are lying through their back teeth to win, what the hell for?!, whoever does will be hated for a generation or more as they will have to cut everything down to nothing just to be able just to come up with the rent so why try so hard. Maybe Dave has a cunning plan?.
Right that's me spleen vented who's next!

tkachev

Oh Kate
The only thing I can say in their defence is they might be autistic! Cos they do have difficulty with the social rights and wrongs and upset peeps when they dont mean to. But it is more likely he just liked the sound of his own voice.

Elizabeth

dreamdaisy

Wow! Steady on mate - a myocardial infarction may result!

Very clever people often lack social skills and graces because they border on the autistic when it comes to interacting with others. They do, sometimes, have to be taught how to communicate with people and sometimes they get it wrong.

I agree with mell on one thing tho - your class, your intellectual ability, your breeding and/or nobility do not excuse bad manners. Courtesy is important to all and important for all to exhibit. Dreamdaisy. (Have a degree and other stuff, no need to exhibit them tho)

angel1

I have always believed that anyone who reels off their CV, when introducing themselves Kate, has problems with self esteem.

If a person has used the experience of University correctly, this will be apparent to anyone meeting them. No need to big themselves up. University isn`t just for obtaining a degree, but to prepare for life, in every way.

We watched our two sons run the whole gamut of experiences, during the four years they were each at uni. With a certain amount of horror during the first year shenanagins of drinking, ear piercing, relationships etc., Then with mounting pride as they made lifelong friendships, joined clubs and societies, learned to manage money, shop, "cook" . Then in the last year, work their socks off to give
something back.

They both graduated with First Class Joint Honours, and I can honestly say I have never ever heard either of them even mention that, except for interviews etc., They are confident men, now in their forties, who took the opportunity they were offered, and made it work for them.........Ange.

PS. Forgot to add that I obtained a degree at the age of 60, and I obviously don`t even remember! My lads do though, and THEY bring it up to others.

mellman01

It’s neither the level of your qualifications your social level the amount on money you have or don’t have your breeding nor is it the colour of your skin, it’s how you treat those around you that counts it’s what’s inside and that comes from how your parents brought you up, it’s they who instil the values that you have, sadly today the school and social services are expected to do the job of the parents which is a crazy idea. Manors cost nothing, sadly today quite a few adults and even more kids can’t seem to speak properly, the modern English language has deteriorated into some form of gansta ghetto grunting where the numpty speaks through their nose and ends every basic sentence with the thought provoking phrase, ya na wot I mean init!.
Sorry I went off on one again na wot I mean bro it's wikid init, latters!?.
Sorry I just read this again and bugger me didn't I digress, went from class to Snoop Doggy Dog in one cyber breath!.
So my man dis ear is ow we is speakin ear in da hood my ni*&a, u done disin da home boys coz I'll pop a cap in yo **** or put a bullet in ya dome!, So blood I'm gonna go hang wid da Brightwell crew fo now, so stay cool beatch!.

Don't ask!.

angel1

Well said Melly, as usual.

LOL. PMSL. ROFLMAF - or words to that effect -. Simples. Yer Wha!!

.........Ange.

valval

well some one who introduces them self in this was is very insecure (can not spell). people take me as they find me, i am not what others have made me . those who feel you have to have letters after your name miss so much in life .we all have an education wether it from uni ,collage or the streets all we need we learn but this is not all we are if it is we are shallow and no one on here is shallow that it for sure.

robertls

I used to work with a guy who always put his qualifications after any memo etc. he ever wrote........

Eventually I resorted to putting my own....

QBE from UOL 1st class.

I could see it really annoyed him as he had no idea what it meant.....

After several months........in a meeting, he asked everyone to explain there qualifications.........He went first.....blah blah blah......

At the end it got around to me...........

He was leaning forward in his chair.........so eager to learn of my mystery qualification..


Qualified By Experience, for The Uniiversity Of Life.....he never forgave me.........shame eh??

Rob x

skezier

Hi Kate,

How you doing? I was raised by intellectual snobs....... They both were a bit like Hyacinth Bucket actually, with a bit of abfab chucked in..... I have to agree its like a form of insecurity and arrogance is often born from that I think.

I don't know if its right or wrong to proclaim your self cus I also have self image trouble I do know I think your husband is the nicer person though

You let it go over your head cus these people are what they are and will never change. Luv Cris who does have a degree but one most people sneer at Especiall my parents x

oneday

in a nut shell theyre insecure muppets....i underestimate...not interested about impressing anyone...infact if i did the lottery and won i would love to dress in the delightful indoor outfit i am currently wearing, i.e. scruffy jogging pants and get out of a new porsche or similar........

livinglegend

Talking of our achievements is often a balancing act. We should be proud of any qualifications that we have earned, but we should not wave them in people's faces. This is common courtesy.

However, some people have a very narrow outlook and as such only have limited skills to discuss things of interest to both them and the people around them. What matters is not what they say to us but how we treat other people whatever their faults. Some people like to discuss their qualifications and others their work experience, that's how it should be.

By showing an interest in the people who are around us, we broaden our own experiences and horizons, thus becoming better people ourselves.

Joseph 8)

c4thyg

For all my education I've still ended up as a disabled single parent who is having to live on benefits!! Qualifications are only great if you can use them rather than shove them in ppls faces.

I suppose I should sign properly.

C4thyg BsC (Hons) PhD
yawn :roll:

angel1

c4thyg wrote:

For all my education I've still ended up as a disabled single parent who is having to live on benefits!! Qualifications are only great if you can use them rather than shove them in ppls faces.

I suppose I should sign properly.

C4thyg BsC (Hons) PhD
yawn :roll:

Welcome Back Sweetie!! Hope you had a lovely holiday. Hugs to Meg.......Ange.

c4thyg

Hi Ange,

We did have a nice time, thx. Meg wants to go back next week! I was a bit unfortunate in getting a flare up start after about 2 days but I struggled through for Meg and it was worth it to see her having so much fun. Next time I will make sure to pack painkillers! :roll: See, qualifications and I still can't remember to take my pills!

dolittle

Trouble is, some of these self-opinionated people tend to confuse intellect with inteligence. Sad!

joanlawson

Some people have a surplus of pride in their intellectual ability, but a deficit of common sense and understanding of others.

By showing an interest in the people who are around us, we broaden our own experiences and horizons, thus becoming better people ourselves.

Wise words as usual, Joseph.