*you should go to school they said... it will be fun they said*
Jane was a young woman, and that morning she was about to start her first job. She was going to hold the position of Junior Specialist in the finance department of one of the most prestigious companies in the market. Working for such a company would be translated to a lot of pressure, especially for a newbie like her. But as the first in class, she was always prepared and ready for every assignment, confident she would shine regardless of its difficulty.
At 7:00 am she was on her feet. Ate breakfast, dressed nicely, combed her blonde curly hair and headed to the train station. Even though a coffee lover for life, she didn’t get a coffee that morning. Her hands were shaky enough and her heart was pumping faster than ever, even without the coffee boost.
When she first entered the office and got to meet some of the people there, everyone seemed to welcome her nicely. She kept smiling at every person she encountered in the hall with a timid “good morning” on her lips.
Some of the guys were staring at her while chatting indistinctly on the other side of the room. She didn’t pay too much attention, but their laughs didn’t seem too friendly nor with good intentions in her confront.
Anyway, the day went smoothly, till the head of the department called everyone for a quick Monday meeting. While introducing Jane officially to the other part of the team, one of the guys - the witty-looking guy – the one who was leading the mumbling conversation a few minutes ago while staring at her, - interrupted his manager and asked Jane a question: “Do blondes have more fun?” A question that might have been left unanswered, with just a quiet smile, or, answered correctly with seriousness, nervousness, and logical explanations as Jane did.
Jane thought she gave the best response to that “funny bully question” and shut the guy’s mouth for good while showing the others around to not mess with her in the future and think well before speaking to her. She was the first in class in her college, knew what to say, and kept composure when faced with trolls and idiots along the way. So, she was proud of herself in that meeting, at that precise moment, displaying her intelligence in everyone’s eyes.
But as soon as she finished answering correctly, the guy laughed. Out loud. Followed by all his other teammates. Nobody seemed to care about her logical judgment or capability. Everyone laughed at her because she responded the way she did. Correctly and rationally. Dismayed by the situation, Jane believed that the question was laughable, not her answer. So why did those people act that way?
Shocked by the situation, Jane was asked to stay with her manager while the other left. When approached by her superior, she looked googly at the confident woman in front of her and her eyes flooded with tears. “What did I do wrong?” she asked.
“You answered the question”, – replied her manager.
“Shouldn’t, have I? But that would have made me look stupid”.
“Well, dear, stupid questions should get stupid responses.”
She looked at her manager. She was a well-equipped confident woman, tall, beautiful, and intelligent. Why did everyone respect her instead of making fun of her? Was it because of her higher position? Or was it because she knew exactly when to be smart and when to be stupid?
How many Janes have we met in our lives, or acted like her in different situations? The burning desire of sounding or looking smart overshadows the right thing to do at the required moment. Not every situation or confrontation needs a smart solution. In order to be able to dominate your nemesis or to get through taught or awkward circumstances, you need to choose between unfolding your inner knowledge and showering the bad vibes with your high IQ, or just withdrawing a bit and giving yourself the right to be stupid instead. Both of them are right.
You need to be smart enough to let yourself look stupid at times. There’s nothing wrong with doing that.
Believing it or not, being stupid has its own benefits. Let’s try to debunk what “being stupid” really means as a lifestyle or choice, especially when it comes to communication, socializing, and living life in general. Take a look below at the fabulous perks of being stupid.
1. STUPID IS BRAVE AND HAS MORE FUN
Do you remember the Diesel campaign, of 11 years ago, where they boldly promoted the “be stupid” alternative lifestyle, which in their case, would do you much more favor than being smart? Well, I do remember, and actually, that was one of the best campaigns ever. Outrageous, brave, and different, the campaign made everyone cringe, roll their eyes, and had a “What the f*ck” moment toward it, - while stuck in everyone’s memory after that.
Why would one of the most prestigious brands in the world, give such strange advice that can’t even be perceived and understand properly?! Everyone who would get to hear the campaign would struggle to find the real reason behind that saying and try to squeeze their brains out in finding a logical explanation underneath it. “Be stupid” … what are they trying to tell us? Isn’t stupid,… stupid?
The idea behind the campaign is that one should live in the moment, put everything on the line when the opportunity presents itself, and not follow the traditional ('smart') path, because being smart means being too rational, too analytical, and too afraid to take action. As a result, you would be stuck doing not the things you love but the more comfortable ones, and perceived as the right things to do, even if it means compromising your own happiness. So, in this case, what “be stupid” actually mean is “be free to do whatever pleases you, break your limits, without restrictions and fear”. It doesn’t really imply or suggest anyone do stupid things, because you’re either born stupid or not.
Look at the guys of Yes Theory for example. Their motto is “Seek Discomfort”, which promotes the idea that you cannot experience life properly if you don’t get out of your comfort zone. You need to explore, take brave actions, and new initiatives and follow stupid ideas cause only by being stupid you can get the most creative ideas ever. I mean, which smart person would go touring Chornobyl, cross the desert naked, or get in an icy bath for 14 minutes? Only a stupid one. And look how they’re enjoying life to the fullest!
Getting back at Jane’s question “Do blondes have more fun?”- is the stereotypical idea that blondes are presumed to be stupid, and as a result, people question if they are having more fun. Well yes, seeing it from that perspective, yes, they definitely have more fun! Take that a**whole!
2. STUPID IS MORE POWERFUL
Have you seen “The Crown”? I bet you have. Even if it’s a quiet slow-paced series with no action involved, it’s very interesting how it intrigues the audience and makes them want to know more about the Royals. To be honest I didn’t care about the royals at all before watching it. Not that I care now, but their life appeals more to me after watching the series.
I started watching the crown just because of my love for castles and interior luxurious art design. Just imagine those astonishing inner spaces of huge castles with wide windows, decorated walls with the finest art, luxurious couches, crystal wine glasses, and people dressed in pearls and chic outfits who speak like the direct descendants of Khalessi, the mother of dragons. (Dracarys!!!)
Besides the characters being beautifully portrayed and the storyline making great sense, what really caught my attention and stuck in my head was the “job description” of the Queen. The main sovereign’s duty is to do nothing.
Shocking right?! Isn’t Kings and Queens supposed to establish great nations and lead them to prosperity? Well yes maybe in the very far away history, but not now. That is the parliament’s responsibility now. The Queen’s duty is to maintain good relationships with the countries of the commonwealth and leaders of the world. Throw parties or get invited to the most prestigious ones, smile to the camera, shake her hand to the cheering crowd, and spend her life doing whatever pleases her.
In terms of political, economic, or legislation matters, the Queen must be aware of the situation of the country but never in a million years should she give advice, orders, or directives in that perspective. That isn’t her sphere of knowledge or expertise. In fact, she is not required to have that kind of knowledge. In childhood, Queen's education consisted in memorizing the constitution and knowing manners.
How many high managers or leaders come to your mind that has no technical knowledge about the company’s operations or country’s development? I mean, aren’t all leaders like that? Going to parties, and events, shaking hands, and smiling to the camera? *sigh*
3. STUPID IS AN UNDERDOG
What do you do immediately when you meet someone new? What goes on in your brain? You try to act smart, to impress the other person, to look agile, confident, and social (even if you’re a total introvert and this is the first time, you’re leaving your room). - The point is, you want to look sharp and self-controlled on a public outing.
Is this attitude wrong? A lot of times yes. Taking back Jane’s situation, for example, she didn’t need to express her intelligence to be taken seriously by others or even earn their respect. On the contrary, it just showed that Jane is not witty enough to get the joke and give an even funnier response or either not say a word at all. That would have given the idea of a clever woman, approachable, friendly, and mysterious.
She shouldn’t have exposed herself completely immediately. Vulnerability is the messiah of romanticism, but also a huge disadvantage when it comes to new endeavors and especially in workplaces.
Whenever the need, mind-schedule what are people going to see in you and know about you. Today make them see your confidence. Tomorrow your intelligence. The day after, your sarcasm, and the day after, after that, your capability and competence. And still, keep something to yourself. Never display yourself entirely. Mystery creates respect and fear. People are afraid of what they don’t know. So let them get excited by the idea of getting to deal with you.
You may look stupid at first by not saying too much or being too much, but it will benefit you in the future and give you the respect you’re so craving.
4. STUPID LISTENS
What does a good underdog do? Listens.
Before expressing oneself, a great underdog tries to identify other people character’s, watch how they behave, how they communicate, and what they say. Don’t fall into the same trap as Jane. Stay silent and friendly, while keeping an attentive eye on everyone new around you.
Since the beginning of time, cavemen never approached their prey without getting to know the surroundings first and studying their behavior and habits. By doing otherwise, showing up publicly would only put them in peril and blow their chance of getting food.
People who find themselves comfortable in a familiar place tend to express themselves more, be more agile, laugh, make funny gestures, and talk freely and without fear. So, listen to them. Get to know them one by one. Create a sketch of each of their persona, built a strategy in your mind and when you feel familiar with the place and comfortable enough in your own skin, then start unveiling your magnetic persona.
Besides, by listening carefully, you will get to know how things work around there, how they approach problems and situations, and what to do if you find yourself in a similar position.
Listening never got anyone in trouble. So be a little stupid on that perspective and keep your mouth shut.
5. STUPID IS OPEN FOR IMPROVEMENT
Name a person who thinks they’re smart enough to be open to critics or suggestions. Anyone in mind? The know-it-all people are not stupid but idiots!
A stupid person is someone who has lack intelligence in a specific situation or field. While an idiot is a stupid person with narcissistic characteristics. This can be described as a person who knows his intellectual limitations but doesn’t want to accept them.
That’s why they say “Don’t be stupid” on one hand and “Don’t be a f*cking idiot” on the other one. Because idiotism is intentional stupidity in action.
Narcissists believe they know all and don’t need any improvement. That’s why they’re being called idiots. A normal person is aware of the lack of knowledge he possesses and doesn’t shy away from the fact of not knowing things. Instead accepts it and is ready to take notes. That’s how stupid does. Do you want to be stupid or an idiot?
6. STUPID IS TOLERANT
I remember asking a friend of mine who was whining about her new superior. Apparently, she was sticking her nose up everywhere, giving the vibes of a control freak, and didn’t accept mistakes of any genre or weight from her team. “Well, a manager should be aware of the things her team is doing, right? - I asked her. “According to the board managers yes- she replied, - but not to employees. As a specialist, I don’t need a bossy manager who would make me aware whenever she can, of our differences and the whys she is the manager and I’m the subordinate. I don’t need a boss who thinks she’s better than anyone of us and knows a lot more than we do. I need a boss who is tolerant of our mistakes, gives us countless chances to prove ourselves, is calm, listens to us, and lets us do our thing. We don’t need a smart manager, but a stupid one. The one that knows her limitations and embraces them quietly. That’s the manager I want… what we all want”.
I mean, is she to blame?
7. STUPID MAKES THE GREATEST FRIEND
Think about your friends and with whom you had more fun with. Are they the smartest ones in your group or the stupidest ones?
A stupid person has a small ego. Thus, he doesn’t care if you’re the one living in the best house, have a better career, owns the fastest car, get the highest salary, or have the prettiest girlfriend/boyfriend. They care only about the time they spend with you and the fun you’re having together.
They take care of you, listen to you, and be there by your side whenever you need them. They value good people and good friendships. You would never earn more sincere respect and love than the one from a stupid friend.
8. STUPID IS STRESS-FREE
Just think about the people who live under dictatorial regimes. Are they happy? Whenever this topic comes up in our family conversations, my dad always explains to me the absurdity of happiness, under those circumstances, they used to live in some decades ago.
“We didn’t have stress, - he starts his explanation. – We were all equal. Had no envy or jealousy about our neighbors or friends regarding wealth, connections, or power. Because that didn’t exist. We all had a job, no need to stress about it. Had a house, a family, and a bit of food on the table. We didn’t have much, but enough to keep us alive and breathing. We appreciated that. We loved our country, we thought it was the best in the world. That’s what the Party’s propaganda said and we believed that because we hadn’t seen any better. In fact, we hadn’t seen anything at all besides our own country.
Freedom is the source of stress. When you have the liberty to make choices, you’ll get stressed. We didn’t have any, that’s why we were happy. We didn’t know. Our knowledge was limited and we didn’t care, because we were happy.”
So what does this all imply? The stupid/ignorant are happier than the smart/educated.
We’re all trying our best when reaching out to our dreams and plans for the future. We just don’t need to express our intelligence everywhere and with everyone. Let’s keep something to ourselves. A smart person doesn’t say everything that goes on in their mind, just what is needed. So next time, when you’re trying to be the smart ass, allow yourself to look stupid. It will not damage anyone I promise. Keep in mind, You need to be smart enough to let yourself look stupid at times. Cheers!
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