Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Ha, Ha

So, I've escaped to the coffee shop and I can't help overhearing a conversation at another table, "being smart isn't everything. I mean I have an aunt and she's a genius but she has no social skills." And then agreement all around. Of course, it's possible her aunt has other issues besides being smart, but this is so distracting!!

Oh, gosh! Don't you just cringe at those conversations? I mean, I agree that it isn't everything. But is there anyone who doesn't agree?

Any idea what prompted the "Being smart isn't everything" comment in the first place?

Yes, quite a chuckle. I also have a brother with zippo social skills but is quite brilliant. I've often said it is much better to be lucky than to be smart.

That brings to mind the old saying, "blowing out someone elses candle does not make yours shine brighter". I guess they never learned that.

I like that, OHG. I hadn't heard it, but I believe it!

Great aphorism!

Tearing people down is a national sport.

love the post...we went to tour a charter school in our county last year for DS and when I asked about any kind of gifted program or how they would deal with a K child who is reading and doing math several grades ahead, the principal told me that they do have the regular one day a week pull out program but that he firmly believed that being smart isn't everything and that all children should be well rounded and that he would recommend that his teacher focus on his social skills instead of the academic side- he would much rather have a child who could come up and shake his hand and say good morning mr. so and so then a child who could read several grade levels above.

Um, yeah, and what about the kid who can do both?

Adults are always surprised and amused by the polite way my DS7 responds when they greet him. For example:

"How was your lunch today, DS7?"
"It was delicious. Thank you for asking. How was yours?"
"Oh, um, it was good, too. <chuckling cheerfully>"

I crack up every time he does it.

Why do people assume that all smart kids are social idiots. *sigh* Is it the same thinking that says all attractive people must be dumb? Like they can't get two gifts because that would somehow be unfair, so they must necessarily be deficient in some area?

Ugh.

Creepy! I get that kind of comments all the time! Even from well-meaning friends.

I just pardon their ignorance!

I do admit talking to my closest friends and saying this is my GS9! But we admit to doing similarly silly stuff, too!