Do men like smart women?

[tickledorange]

I never tone down intelligence, probably because everyone I know is just as smart as me anyway. Sometimes I do, though, just because I want the other person to have at least some idea about what I am talking about, but this can go for anything, like directions or something. I'd want them to do the same for me if I didn't understand them, as long as they did it in a nice way that wasn't mean or condescending.

 

[Italian_Touch]

I want the other person to have at least some idea about what I am talking about

Well... if you can stand some conversation about the life cycle of bacteria and viruses, I promise I can try to learn something about industrial engineering and... bum! we have a match! 😀

 

[some1somewhere]

I like to have someone that is on the same level as myself, so that we can have a conversation, and discuss what we think. If she doesn't have some of the knowledge that I on some issues, then I would like it if she took time to learn, as I would do for things that she has superior knowledge of as well.

 

[suprticklishgrl]

wow, i'm so glad you all responded to my question. it was interesting to read all of your preferences. and yes, the smartness factor is supposed to encompass all kinds of "smart."

it seems as though the general consensus (with 1 or 2 exceptions) is that intelligent females are desirable and not intimidating. to those who answered that way, that wasn't exactly my question (because i'm sure we'd all rather not be talking to a brick). of course we'd like the person to be "smart enough" to hold a captivating conversation, but when does it get too much? the PhD/neurologist/supreme court justice is a-ok with you?

i think orange was the only female to reply, and its nice to hear that you don't tone it down. i don't either among friends. but the thing is, when i'm on dates, i'm pretty sure its a conscious decision to down play some of the intelligence. i think it helps a guy's ego when he can show off a little to impress a girl with what he knows.

keep coming with the responses! you all are great! 🙂

 

[desdemona]

Ok, from a female perspective, if I have to "dumb it down" - we don't make it past a few emails or phone calls. I have brains for reason and I use them - not afraid to show it. In fact, I like a guy who can keep pace myself 😛

I once had an encounter where the guy thought I was a vet tech...when I corrected him and pointed out I was in fact a DVM (read "DR") the conversation ran dry...now that was just sad.

 

[suprticklishgrl]

I once had an encounter where the guy thought I was a vet tech...when I corrected him and pointed out I was in fact a DVM (read "DR") the conversation ran dry...now that was just sad.

aww you're right, that is kinda sad. i think that's one reason why i need a guy to be at least at my level or smarter. conversations would just be dull and i'd be bored. i once had a crush on a guy who was a denny's manager straight out of high school. and he's probably going to do that for the rest of his life. that crush didn't last very long.

 

[Italian_Touch]

the PhD/neurologist/supreme court justice is a-ok with you?

Well... my last two gf held a PhD... 😀

when i'm on dates, i'm pretty sure its a conscious decision to down play some of the intelligence. i think it helps a guy's ego when he can show off a little to impress a girl with what he knows.
🙂

Mmhhh.. if I would find it out, I'd be very disappointed, actually... of course you try to impress a girl but if just the idea that she PRETEND to, it is quite disturbing. It's like if she makes a fool of me.
On the other hand, the self-referential showing off can be quite annoying too.

 

[Ignatz]

aww you're right, that is kinda sad. i think that's one reason why i need a guy to be at least at my level or smarter. conversations would just be dull and i'd be bored. i once had a crush on a guy who was a denny's manager straight out of high school. and he's probably going to do that for the rest of his life. that crush didn't last very long.

Hmmm. It's clear from your initial post that you know how to use capital letters. Whose level are you trying to sink to now?

 

[suprticklishgrl]

Hmmm. It's clear from your initial post that you know how to use capital letters. Whose level are you trying to sink to now?

i use capital letters in writing when its important, official, relates to my superiors, or i just want to make a good impression. i didn't mean to offend anyone by "sinking" to any levels. sorry if it came across that way. but this isn't about me.

please continue. 🙂

 

[Cosmo_ac]

hmm, think i'll play some devil's advocate here...

(goes to room, turns on the PS2, plays devil's advocate for a few hours, then comes back)

Ok, now where was i? oh yeah. Well, this is my view on things. Do guys like smart women? Well, i don't want to speak for the male species, so i'll just speak for myself. Yes, and no. IMO there's a fine line between being smart, and being too smart.

Personally, i'd like to be with an intelegent girl. However, she'd have to be intelegent enough to realize my limitations. And personally, i think most people would agree with that. Nobody likes to feel stupid, and if i was dating an overly intelegent women, i'd be worried about that. And i'd also be worried that she might feel i was stupid as well.

Now, just imagine for a moment that your out on a date with said person, and they turn the conversation towards 1800 art. Now, the subject, even though i know nothing about it, i would have no problem with. However, there would be a problem if, when i would undoubtably have a vacant look in my eyes when she talked about these things, if she was to get irritated or annoyed with me for not knowing them.

The same applies to anything else that she might know or grasp quicker then myself. While i would have no problems with her knowing things i didn't, i would have a problem if every time we breached a subject i knew nothing about, she'd have an "oh my god, do i have to explain this stuff again?" look on her face.

So, in conclusion, do i like smart women? yes, so long as they are smart enough to realize that everybody might not be as smart as them and they have patience for those who aren't.

 

[darkscar]

You got a good point there. As long as she loves me for me, and knows my limitations then i’m ok with her. She could know what every element in the periodic table of Elements did and what they do when they are combining. If she understands that I don’t know allot about that stuff and she is ok with me not knowing about that stuff, then I’m a happy camper. hehe but on the other hand i would be asking her, hey can we blow somting up with you chemicales?

 

[LindyHopper]

I wonder, is any man likely to admit on a public forum that he DOESN'T like an intelligent partner?

I was doubting that myself, by maniactickler came through for me. 🙂

 

[Knox The Hatter]

Yes, Lindy, good point...
However, what Maniac would discover eventually is that it's rather difficult to find a woman on that intellectual level...anywhere. Kind of like trying to find teeth in the mouth of a chicken.

 

[chicago]

To the women:
Do you feel like you have to "tone it down" and sink down a level if he's not as intelligent as you are? Or would you rather pursue your own growth of knowledge to the best of your abilities and surpass him?

This is a good question. I can't speak for the "adults" but I know as a teenager, there is pressure for girls to be stupid. I think a lot of girls are smarter than they're given credit for, but they say stupid things to look cute and vulnerable. My mom always told me that it was more important to be smart than to be beautiful and I took this to heart since I had a pretty awkward adolescence. I didn't really grow into myself until senior year of high school so I relied on my intelligence most of the time. I probably come across as arogant even sometimes because I like to sound intelligent and I like to make people think and as stupid as it may sound, I really like to impress people with the things I say. It kind of sucks being 18 sometimes because most people that are older tend to think all 18 year olds are the same. I understand why some girls want to look stupid for attention or whatever, but personally, I like to hang out with people that I can talk to and that will understand what I'm trying to say and maybe challenge me a little. So I'm not sure how many guys my age appreciate that, but oh well...

 

[Redmage]

I understand why some girls want to look stupid for attention or whatever, but personally, I like to hang out with people that I can talk to and that will understand what I'm trying to say and maybe challenge me a little. So I'm not sure how many guys my age appreciate that, but oh well...

Well, guys my age appreciate it, but that might not be much comfort to you.

 

[TickleWolf]

smart good

 

[chicago]

Well, guys my age appreciate it, but that might not be much comfort to you.

Thanks, most of my friends are older, probably for this very reason...

 

[unclebill]

I like smart women with big boobs and a hot looking rear end. Hey, I just described Steph!!!

 

[steph]

I like smart women with big boobs and a hot looking rear end. Hey, I just described Steph!!!

 

[WraithTickler]

I'd definitely need to date someone who's my intellectual equal, if not more so. I can honestly say I have a good head on my shoulders and I'd like to be in a relationship where my partner could keep up with me and at challenge me in discussions, debates, etc., and hopefully through that, share interest in other things like reading, movies, and occasionally games worth discussion. A girl that would be super smart would probably be a bit intimidating, but I'm confident in myself and I'd hope it would inspire both of us to reach beyond our normal levels.

Note I've dealt with intellectual superiority. A lady having either emotional or social superiority over me, in most cases, will be a given. ;-)

 

[tickledorange]

i think it helps a guy's ego when he can show off a little to impress a girl with what he knows.

Same here, as long as it doesn't make them look stupid. That would even hurt my feelings.

 

[lk70]

smart good

Ah. But can one be smart and liberal at the same time?

 

[steph]

I like to think so sweetpea. 😉
XOXO

Ah. But can one be smart and liberal at the same time?

 

[TickleWolf]

Ah. But can one be smart and liberal at the same time?

Yes, that's the perplexing part

 

[darkscar]

This is a good question. I can't speak for the "adults" but I know as a teenager, there is pressure for girls to be stupid. I think a lot of girls are smarter than they're given credit for, but they say stupid things to look cute and vulnerable. My mom always told me that it was more important to be smart than to be beautiful and I took this to heart since I had a pretty awkward adolescence. I didn't really grow into myself until senior year of high school so I relied on my intelligence most of the time. I probably come across as arogant even sometimes because I like to sound intelligent and I like to make people think and as stupid as it may sound, I really like to impress people with the things I say. It kind of sucks being 18 sometimes because most people that are older tend to think all 18 year olds are the same. I understand why some girls want to look stupid for attention or whatever, but personally, I like to hang out with people that I can talk to and that will understand what I'm trying to say and maybe challenge me a little. So I'm not sure how many guys my age appreciate that, but oh well...

Girls that worry about beauty more than intelligence there is a quote that I heard from some were that rains true for them, “Beauty fades, Dumb is forever”. Your mom was right. Taking the path you choose was a good move. I feel sorry for the many young women that think they have to act cute and ditsy because they feel that is what men want. On my point of view I can’t stand a dumb woman. She would drive me nuts. I mean in this world every body is smarter and better at something that is what makes us unique. For me, I always have to relay on Microsoft Word for spell checking and grammar mistakes, and have people proof read my work before I turn something in to class. Wile other people know how to spell every word, and know when to use a ( . ), ( , ), ( ; ) or ( : ). That’s there thing and they were born to do that. Me I was born in to the computer world; I know how to fix, and figure stuff out when it comes to computers. But that don’t mean I will try and improve my “Composition Skills”. There are people out there that just don’t care one way or the other. They don’t even try. They just say “well I guess I’m dumb” or “I don’t care”. There are different levels of maturity at different ages. There are 18 year olds that act like 30. And there are 45 year olds that act like 2. I like to hang around people that know other things that don’t, because you can always learn something new from someone, Male or Female. You can Learn there points of views and how they see the world. Maybe I will help me be a better person in the long run. Challenges are fun I know, because in the world of computers something is always testing my knowledge and there is some new problem that comes up. I don’t give up I sit there and figure it out. One thing is for sure you can add me to the list of guys that "Appreciate That". the ones that don't they I feel sorry for.

That was a long post my fingers are now cramping from typing to much.