# Signs you use to assess a person's intelligence **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 8, 2011, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255 "2011-07-08T01:17:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/21 "2011-07-08T09:30:16Z")
Oh, I’ve read a lot of those books too. But I’d be too embarrassed to read them in public…and it takes a LOT to embarrass me. These days, though, I don’t have to worry about the covers so much, as I have a Nook that goes with me everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Staggerlee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/staggerlee/32/3134_2.png) [@Staggerlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Staggerlee)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/22 "2011-07-08T10:13:27Z")
I consider people wise when they don’t make assumptions about other people’s intelligence based on little and immediate evidence. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/23 "2011-07-08T10:20:12Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > I carry a pair of calipers. So does the biggest redneck fisherman. One clue (a minor one) is proper use of the subjunctive. Lack of its use does not imply stupidity, but its presence suggests intelligence. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/24 "2011-07-08T10:23:03Z")
Quick thinking doesn’t equal intelligence, maybe it’s a good indicator of wit at best. But during a conversation, the speed the other person appears to process things at is a decent indicator to me. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/25 "2011-07-08T11:02:04Z")
I refuse to speak to anyone not associated with my particular Ivy League institute of higher education. ---
**Author:** ![Vihaga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Vihaga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vihaga)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/26 "2011-07-08T11:55:37Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > “Dumb people talk about other people. Average people talk about events. Intelligent people talk about ideas.” It’s not 100% accurate, of course, but it’s not a terrible rule of thumb. I actually think it is. I work with extremely intelligent people on a daily basis, and they talk about events and people just like everyone else. I think confirmation bias is hugely at play with this ridiculous rule. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/27 "2011-07-08T12:01:49Z")
Language is a biggie. It’s not just about a collection of big words and good grammar, although that does help. For example, it’s hard for me not to have a negative first impression of someone who _axes_ me a question. Speech peppered with trendy corporate buzzwords and words like “utilize” instead of “use” makes me think someone is trying to _sound_ smart. Using big words is fine, but using the right words is smart. Also, puns. Smart people use puns. Probably a whole lot more than they should. I think that above anything, what I notice in people I’ve labeled “intelligent” is an ironic sense of humor and an ability to play with language. I have previewed this post a half dozen times now, trying to make sure I don’t come across as stupid. You people are making me paranoid! ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/28 "2011-07-08T13:11:05Z")
hmm, I think I over-thought this. How immediate of an impression are you talking about? I can usually form an opinion of a persons intelligence fairly quickly based on language, humor, ability to discern logical thought from emotional reaction and opinion and react appropriately, etc. but gosh, thats just an initial impression and it changes, just as often as not, if I have more or a prolonged interaction with the person. How are you defining intelligence? not trying to be nitpicky, as I said, I think I thought about this too much when I decided to respond. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/29 "2011-07-08T13:21:36Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > “Dumb people talk about other people. Average people talk about events. Intelligent people talk about ideas.” It would be dumb to say this. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/30 "2011-07-08T13:21:58Z")
It’s the eyes, as Alice said. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/31 "2011-07-08T13:27:04Z")
**Signs you use to assess a person’s intelligence** The biggest factor in my book… are they a longtime member of the SDMB? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/32 "2011-07-08T14:11:43Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > I refuse to speak to anyone not associated with my particular Ivy League institute of higher education. So you never speak to intelligent people then? ---
**Author:** ![Vihaga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Vihaga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vihaga)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/33 "2011-07-08T14:30:23Z")
I think most people are much worse at snap-judging others’ intelligence than they think they are. Confirmation bias plus a metric that isn’t going to be confirmed results in pretty much being able to decide someone is smart or not based on arbitrary criteria. If you define “smart” as “articulate,” for example, your judgment never fails. Heh. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/34 "2011-07-08T14:37:40Z")
A good rule of thumb for me is a quick wit. Intelligent people make relevant and witty remarks. Knuckleheads often make sexist or racist jokes. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/35 "2011-07-08T14:40:59Z")
I’m not good at assessing intelligence. Sometimes I’ll know someone for months and then be surprised that they have a fascinating hobby, talent, or accomplishment. When I do quickly recognize intellect, it’s usually because it resembles my own. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/36 "2011-07-08T14:51:56Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > If someone has a book in his/her possession, and is actively reading it, my assessment goes up, unless it’s something like _Twilight_ or _Chariots of the Gods_. Were you in the same plane I flew last week? The person next to me seemed at the beginning to be fairly intelligent, until I noticed his _Chariots of the Gods_ book. Really, there is no quicker way to diminish a person’s intelligence in my eyes than if they follow pseudoscience. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/37 "2011-07-08T15:25:03Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > So does the biggest redneck fisherman.. Well, aside from using calipers to measure the size of people’s craniums, I also judge their intelligence by whether or not I have to explain my jokes to them. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/38 "2011-07-08T15:36:47Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > If someone has a book in his/her possession, and is actively reading it, my assessment goes up, unless it’s something like _Twilight_ or _Chariots of the Gods_. If someone insists on telling me all about the latest sitcom, my assessment goes way, way down. If I wanted to know what was happening on that show, I’d watch the show myself, not get a retelling of it. For that matter, if his/her only interests are TV and celebrity gossip, again, my assessment goes way, way down. > > And while I know that quite a few intelligent people enjoy sports, if sports is the ONLY topic that a person is interested in, again, I’m not likely to think that the person is very intelligent. > > On the other hand, if someone is interested in certain kinds of games, my assessment goes up. Whether you love it or hate it, you have to admit that Dungeons and Dragons requires quite a bit of quick math manipulation, and generally a fairly good memory, for instance. Wow, you’d probably find me to be the dumbest person in the room, I reckon. That’s ok though I might find you to be the most awkwardly judgemental. Well except that I wear glasses, and we all know that glasses = smart. So maybe you might give me the time of day even if I’m wearing an Indians t-shirt and not holding a book. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/39 "2011-07-08T16:29:15Z")
Rear-view mirror: If your mirror is flipped to the night/dim setting while driving in daylight, you might be an idiot. Really, if your intellect is such that you can’t grasp this simple concept, please stay home. License plates: Here in Georgia, our annual license plate renewal is a colored sticker placed in the lower right corner of the plate. Whether you renew by mail or in person, you get a slip of paper clearly showing proper (and legally required) placement. Other corners? Idiot. Lined up vertically in the middle of the tag? Idiot. Plate looks like a 1st grade collage? Idiot. Seatbelt: No seatbelt = low intelligence. Motorcycle helmet: No helmet = low intelligence. corollary: t-shirt & shorts on a bike? Ijit. Smoker? How smart could you be? Pants hanging off your ass? Please. Religious? You really think there’s a kind being in the sky who watches/knows/controls/created everything? There might be, but I’ve not seen any evidence to support this. Granted we’re all painting with broad brushes here, but I think my hypotheses are provable! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/40 "2011-07-08T16:44:09Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > Smoker? > How smart could you be? Not that I necessarily disagree with this one, but at Mensa events I was frequently surprised at how many smokers were present. It seemed to be about the same ratio of smokers to nonsmokers as any other group. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255.md?page=3)