Have you ever felt intimidated by someone's intelligence?

Yes, but I console myself with cheesecake.

Yes. I think everyone has met someone, at one point, who is smarter than them. Most are able to recognize that.

What answers are you expecting, OP?

I'm not expecting any answers, r2. I often feel intimidated by other people's intelligence and just wanted to hear others' experiences.

Okay, well it depends on your experiences. Very few people actually believe they are the smartest person they know, and anyone who does believe that is likely incorrect, anyway. So, yes, most of us have been intimidated by a person who appeared more intelligent than us. This is common to anyone who has every been a student or held a job, which is pretty much everyone. People who have more knowledge excel and/or possess more power in those settings. They progress faster and attain higher status, which can lead to higher success and a superior social position in a class based society, which can be intimidating to we lesser mortals. Such is life.

However, if you do encounter this feeling often, you should ask youself why. You don’t sound dumb from your posts, so maybe you just lack confidence? On the other hand, are you reaching beyond you capacities in some way? If you’re trying to fake it as a smart person you will be found out.

Look, I'm only a high school graduate. Unfortunately, I also know that I have a genius IQ (my hold 8th grade class had our IQs read out to us). I was told, many times, that I didn't "apply myself" enough. Worrying about being disowned for being gay (which I was, at one point) has a way of doing that, when you can't shake the fear. For whatever reason, I was never mean to people. I don't enjoy it, and take no satisfaction in putting people down. There weren't many times that I've been clearly aware that I've been in the presence of someone who was smarter than me. But, strangely enough, those people have all been thoughtful and kind to me. I was happy to be their student, since one of the characteristics of a smart person is knowing that you can always learn more. Our Compliance director from a number of years ago was a hugely overweight, very shabbily dressed lady, who had a mind like a steel trap, and who took language classes in the evening just for fun. My youngest co-worker is a very cute, very shy straight guy, who is really a musical genius. We don't chat often (always by Instant Messaging) but he likes me and I try not to fall in love with him. I'm sure he knows I'm gay, but never fails to tell me how much he cares for me, and hopes we can continue to work together.

So...if you looked at my resume, you wouldn't be impressed. The people I actually know and interact with know I'll help them (and usually can) because I have a reputation. We don't always want the same things in life. I left the last deparment in which I worked because they were going to create a management position for me, and I didn't want to be in management. So, I make less money than I could have, but I have more peace of mind.

I know I'm a smart person but I also know there are many people who possess a greater intelligence in a large variety of topics. If given the opportunity I feel I could understand the general concepts of their areas of expertise if they were able and willing to explain them to me. So I wouldn't say I ever felt intimidated but I have felt frustrated that I was not given the chance by some people to understand. They just wrote me off and that made me angry. At least give someone a chance if they desire to understand. Maybe they can't, but let them try.

No but I know I intimidate LOSERS all the time.

I am certain that I am the smartest person in my program.

What program, r8? Are you a grad student?

My best friend is better at almost everything that I'm interested in or good at myself. Our common interests and abilities have been the basis of a very deep friendship, but it's somewhat unesettling to realize, that, yes, he really is faster at grasping complex ideas, and better at math and logic, is incredibly well-read and has a nearly eidetic memory about what he's read. SInce I'm a proud and compettive person, I have occasionally been irritated by this, but mostly, because he's been a genuine kind friend, I'm just amazed and celebrate his specialness. Intimidation applies to musicians I'm in awe of or other people I don't really know.