How can you tell that someone is intelligent? At first glance, it sounds like a trick question with an easy answer, but the more you think about it, the more unclear things seem. Is it the person who can recite all the works of Shakespeare from memory? Perhaps it’s someone you know who runs a successful business or is an actual inventor? Or is it someone in your life who prioritizes their mental health and social relationships above everything else?
Not everyone lets on that they’re as smart as they are. The r/AskReddit community shared their personal thoughts about the signs that someone is far more intelligent than others might think. Scroll down to read their thoughts.
#21
They smile when they overhear a stupid conversation rather than getting upset by it.
26points
#22
For one reason or another, some may underperform in school when they know they could very well be a top student.
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26points
#23
Their ability to adapt to a wide range of conversations.
25points
#25
Their humor. Being able to emotionally distance yourself enough to find something funny, even if it hits close to home.
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22points
#26
When they hear something, be it gossip or news or whatever, they ask about sources. Similarly, when *they* are sharing something, their source is always credible *or* they're specifically saying it as speculation like "I have heard but not confirmed...".
19points
#27
They don’t brag about their achievements or even bring it up unless they’re asked. My gf is super smart and knows more than like 80% of the ppl she talks to but she has NEVER bragged or brought up the insane amount of stuff she knows. I sometimes bring it up when I’m with her and friends just cus I feel like she deserves some credit.
18points
#28
They speak up in a meeting.
Once.
And what they have to say is usually pretty close to the optimal solution.
Once.
And what they have to say is usually pretty close to the optimal solution.
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18points
#29
They live in reality by using logic and objective fact over subjective feelings/emotion when proving a point.
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18points
#30
They nod their head before you end your sentences. They know exactly everything you are going to say. Like they’re two or three sentences ahead. Worked with a bond trader, off the charts brilliant, very analytical. When I talked to him I felt like my talking was slowing the conversation down. I’ve only had that feeling with a couple of people in my life.
18points
#31
I think if we define "smart" as a vast knowledge base we ignore the decision making factor. I like to think of "smart" people as those who seem able to use the tools around them to solve the problems they are facing.
A dead giveaway someone is smarter than they let on?
- They say "no" often in the interest of their goals.
- They have large tool box, both figuratively and literally, as having the right tool makes all the difference, in terms of time to resolution.
- They tend to read often, not one thing but several things, or have some experience doing many different things, this gives a really well rounded perspective.
I believe "smart" people are good problem solvers.
A dead giveaway someone is smarter than they let on?
- They say "no" often in the interest of their goals.
- They have large tool box, both figuratively and literally, as having the right tool makes all the difference, in terms of time to resolution.
- They tend to read often, not one thing but several things, or have some experience doing many different things, this gives a really well rounded perspective.
I believe "smart" people are good problem solvers.
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17points
#34
When they want to avoid an argument in which they know they have superior knowledge by saying things like "I´m not sure, you may be right".
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12points
#35
One I don't think has been mentioned is sarcasm. Manipulating information on the fly is surprisingly difficult (your average comedian / stand up artist / freestyler etc is smarter than your average person). Sarcasm is like manipulating information in sepia mode - you're making a point while throwing a negative filter over it, a bit like writing on a mirror with rotated handwriting. That takes more smarts to get the same point across and not miss the beat.
Consequently lying through your teeth is like negative sarcasm, you're throwing a negative filter over your incorrect information to try to get a positive outcome. It's more complicated than expressing the equivalent truth so yeah keep an eye out for (good) liars, that s**t takes a lot smarts to not come across as incompetent.
Yes those are massive generalisations but I do find that folks with a great sense of sarcasm lean nearer the intelligent end of the spectrum.
Consequently lying through your teeth is like negative sarcasm, you're throwing a negative filter over your incorrect information to try to get a positive outcome. It's more complicated than expressing the equivalent truth so yeah keep an eye out for (good) liars, that s**t takes a lot smarts to not come across as incompetent.
Yes those are massive generalisations but I do find that folks with a great sense of sarcasm lean nearer the intelligent end of the spectrum.
11points
#36
I have a friend to likes to jokingly proclaim he is never wrong.
It's all fun and bluster until you think about it and he is actually never wrong. Everything he has said, every small factoid, offhanded comment, even advice he has given has been right.
He says it as a joke, but honestly he is right. Dude has a big old brain hiding behind the fun and bluster.
It's all fun and bluster until you think about it and he is actually never wrong. Everything he has said, every small factoid, offhanded comment, even advice he has given has been right.
He says it as a joke, but honestly he is right. Dude has a big old brain hiding behind the fun and bluster.
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10points
#37
When they are quiet enough to observe and understand but talkative enough that they aren’t just some weirdo.
8points
#39
As someone who worked as a volunteer with kids: they cheat in games. We had a girl that was (we believed) the kid of a Thai import bride who a fellow of our town married. She always acted pretty dumb, but when we played outside games with a group, she always cheated by exploiting loopholes or parts that weren't explained properly, because they were kids of age 7-10 and we didn't want to make the game too difficult.
She always abused the game to gain an advantage and when we told her she couldn't do that she went 'Oh sorry, I didn't understand the game!' in a broken accent.
You understood the game perfectly little girl, otherwise you wouldn't play it like this. She was way smarter than she let on, it almost seemed like an act.
She always abused the game to gain an advantage and when we told her she couldn't do that she went 'Oh sorry, I didn't understand the game!' in a broken accent.
You understood the game perfectly little girl, otherwise you wouldn't play it like this. She was way smarter than she let on, it almost seemed like an act.
5points
#40
They don't complain about how stupid so many people are, or complain that "these people vote", or take pleasure and feelings of superiority from seeing people do or say highly uninformed things.
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5points