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People are often quick to judge someone’s intelligence based on the way they speak, behave, learn, or react in certain situations. Maybe someone takes a little longer to answer a question, struggles to explain an idea, or simply does things differently—and suddenly, others assume they are not very smart. But many traits that are commonly interpreted as signs of low intelligence may actually be connected to personality, communication styles, life experiences, learning differences, or simply having a different way of thinking.
So, when people were asked what is not a sign of low intelligence but is often mistaken for one, they had plenty of thoughtful and surprisingly relatable answers. Some challenged assumptions we make every day, while others may make you rethink the way you judge people around you. Keep reading to discover the misunderstood behaviours people believe we should stop judging so quickly.
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#1
Not knowing the answer.
Foolish people believe they're always correct. Wise people know what they are uncertain of and why.
Lost Panda 8 hours ago
My son spends a lot of time on YouTube watching educational things (mythology, space, etc). He will ask me a question. My wife gets mad that I answer with I don't know. XD Says I am horrible at communication. No, I just literally don't know the answer to his question. (This is not me calling myself smart, just a funny anecdote)
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#2
Admitting being wrong . On the surface it seems that the people who never admit they're wrong should be smarter than the ones who do admit being wrong, but actually that's the goal of a scientist, being wrong. It means that you're advancing forward not to mention keeping your mind wide open.
I could be wrong though.
Aileen Grist 5 hours ago
I'm a Quaker - we don't have a holy book but one called Faith and Practice. In Advices and Queries one says - Think that you may be wrong.
#3
Mispronouncing rare words you have read, but not heard spoken. Some smart people read a lot, but don't have great people to talk to, so don't get to hear or speak those words often.
Often, when we want to know whether someone is intelligent, we look for a simple way to measure it. One of the most widely known methods is the intelligence quotient, or IQ. An IQ test uses a series of standardized questions and tasks to estimate certain aspects of a person’s cognitive ability. It may assess skills such as memory, reasoning, language, problem-solving, and how quickly someone can process information.
The average IQ score is 100, and most people score between 85 and 115 on standardized tests. In simple terms, an IQ test gives us a numerical estimate of how a person performs in certain areas of thinking compared with other people of the same age. However, intelligence is far more complex than a single number, and an IQ test cannot fully capture every talent, strength, or ability a person may have.
#5
There's no significant correlation between intelligence and earnings, and the people with the highest intelligence tend to seek intellectual fulfillment rather than maximizing earnings.
The smartest people in history to date are not Musk, Gates, Jobs, and Bezos.
Always an uphill battle in any discussions, though.
Da Vinci, Mendel, Darwin, Newton, Galileo, Tesla, Einstein, Hawking, Rutherford, Aristotle, Curie, Franklin, Lovelace, Fleming etc. These names are etched in history far more deeply than any entrepreneur, and for good reason.
And winning a Nobel prize would probably be the most difficult method of becoming a millionaire.
So essentially; not having as much money as someone else is not a sign of inferior intelligence.
In fact, psychologists have long argued that human intelligence cannot always be measured through one standardized score. Psychologist Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences suggests that people can possess different kinds of strengths, including linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal abilities. Some people may be excellent with numbers, while others are gifted communicators, creative thinkers, skilled musicians, or naturally good at understanding people. This reminds us that intelligence can show up in many different ways—and not all of them are reflected in a traditional IQ test.
#7
Taking a moment before answering a question.
#8
Being bubbly and a kind person. I’ve been told a couple times that some found my “intelligence” surprising as I am “nice” *whatever any of that means* 🙃.
#9
Not having English as your native language.
Speaking a whole other language is a huge accomplishment! You probably know how to express yourself more eloquently and sound smarter in your native language, though. And in many parts of the world people speak more than two!
But I’ve witnessed first hand how dismissive some people can be of others who don’t talk like them :(.
R Dennis 1 hour ago
I had a job where I occasionally dealt with people for whom English was a second language. They were often embarrassed and I immediately said to them "Why are you apologizing? Your English is better than my (their native language). You're communicating in another language in a country where most people couldn't do what you're doing. Don't ever apologize for that." It always put them at ease. I know when I travel or meet people who speak a language I dabble in, I seek people who appreciate my effort and I try to model how I want to be treated.
While IQ is important, intelligence is not limited to academic abilities or how quickly someone can solve a problem. It is also reflected in how we understand ourselves, recognize the emotions of others, handle challenges, communicate, and build meaningful relationships. These abilities are often described as emotional intelligence, or EQ.
Psychologist Daniel Goleman explored this idea in his bestselling book Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, where he argued that society often places too much emphasis on intellectual ability while overlooking the role emotions play in shaping our success and well-being. According to Goleman, a high IQ may help someone succeed academically or professionally, but emotional intelligence can strongly influence how they navigate relationships, manage stress, make decisions, and adapt to the challenges of everyday life.
#11
Having a foreign accent.
Wonky Donkey 3 hours ago
The criminal mastermind in movies is usually Russian, German or British. In the case of the last one they only ever have an RP English accent though. You'd be unlikely to hear the bad guy with a Geordie, Scouse or Glasweigan accent in a James Bond movie.
#12
Not being able to spit a quick response to everything but instead thinking things through. in real life people immediately takes someone like that as dumb and the loud logorrhea affected person is considered "smart" instead because they can respond quickly and, most often than not, wrong in seconds and with absolute confidence.
Goleman describes emotional intelligence through five key areas. The first is self-awareness, or the ability to recognize and understand our emotions as they happen. The second is self-regulation, which involves managing difficult feelings, calming ourselves, and controlling harmful impulses. The third is self-motivation; the ability to stay focused, work toward long-term goals, and keep going even when things become difficult. The final two areas focus on our relationships with others: empathy, which helps us understand how other people may be feeling, and social skills, which allow us to communicate, cooperate, and build healthy relationships.
#13
Being overly safe vs overly confident.
IE: New guy stops more experienced guy from performing a dangerous work practice, therefore possibly saving both their lives.
#14
Asking questions.
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 7 hours ago
Sometimes I like to ask the really dumb questions, especially when entering a new field, dumb questions lead to basic answers which become the foundation of learning.
#15
Poor education. There are brilliant people who, for whatever reason, didn't get the benefit of a good education.
R Dennis 1 hour ago
It takes good teachers in bad schools to help. There are teachers who put in effort to help intelligent students to see/do more, but unfortunately there are a lot of teachers who want to take the smart kid as an example of their teaching while the rest of the students suffer from the fact they aren't good teachers. A potato could have taught the smart one and a potato did teach the rest.
One of the most encouraging ideas associated with emotional intelligence is that these skills can be developed over time. While IQ scores are generally considered relatively stable, emotional skills can be strengthened through practice, self-reflection, and experience. Learning to pause before reacting, listen more carefully, communicate openly, or better understand another person’s perspective can all help build emotional intelligence. Research has also linked higher emotional intelligence with lower levels of stress, more positive emotional experiences, greater happiness, and improved overall well-being.
#16
Being quiet.
#18
Whatever behavior I can attribute to someone who has views I don't agree with.
Emotional intelligence can also make a meaningful difference in the way people connect with others. As Forbes highlights, actively listening, recognizing emotions, and responding with empathy can help people build stronger and more authentic relationships. Those with high emotional intelligence may also notice subtle signals that others miss, such as changes in facial expressions, tone of voice, or body language. Paying attention to these small details can help someone respond with greater understanding, build trust, and create deeper connections with the people around them.
#19
Blonde hair.
#20
Mouth breathing. I just have stuffy sinuses okay?
#21
Staring off into “space.” Some people just get lost in deep thoughts.
Nicole Weymann 1 hour ago
Reminds me of that meme of the couple, him zoned out/turned away, her sure that "he must be thinking of other women", when is reality his bubble says stuff like "If I gave a really looooong spoon to a t-rex: would it be able to eat soup, or are the elbows too close to the shoulders?"
EQ can be especially valuable in the workplace and in leadership. Harvard Business School explains that leaders often set the emotional tone for the people around them. A leader who struggles to communicate, listen, or understand others may contribute to lower employee engagement and greater turnover. On the other hand, emotional intelligence can support healthier team dynamics, encourage collaboration, and make people feel heard and respected. Technical knowledge and professional skills are important, but the ability to communicate effectively and work well with others can determine how successfully those skills are put into practice.
#22
Literally any mental illness of any nature. Actually, any disability, physical or mental. It's surprising how people will treat a blind person or wheelchair bound person like they're dumb when that literally has no connection whatsoever.
And ADHD (what I have personal experience with) can be dismissed by doctors as a possibility if you're a high achiever in any way. "You can't have ADHD, you're so smart." So you're calling people with ADHD dumb? Lol, now that's stupid.
#23
Speaking English as a second language. I work with immigrants, and some of my American coworkers mistake limited English for limited intelligence. Since learning Spanish and speaking with them in their own language, I’ve met some of the most interesting and intelligent people I know.
Overall, emotional intelligence appears to be just as valuable as intellectual ability, even though the two measure very different strengths. IQ may help us understand how someone processes information, reasons through problems, or performs on certain cognitive tasks. EQ, meanwhile, can influence how people understand themselves, navigate difficult emotions, respond to others, and build meaningful relationships. Neither form of intelligence tells the complete story on its own. People are complex, and their abilities cannot always be reduced to a score, a test, or one particular way of thinking.
#25
A woman being particularly girly/effeminate.
#27
From an English speaking point of view: Speaking broken English. Even though it clearly means you know more than one language.
Really any communication impediment. Old people, deaf people, people with lisps and stutters and all sorts...
Now, coming back to today’s posts, they highlight why intelligence should never be judged through a narrow lens. Someone may speak differently, take longer to process information, struggle with a particular subject, or behave in a way that others do not immediately understand—and none of those things automatically mean that they lack intelligence. Sometimes, behaviours that are mistaken for signs of low intelligence may be connected to personality, anxiety, communication styles, learning differences, life experiences, or simply a different way of seeing the world. So, Pandas, which of these answers surprised you the most? Did any of them make you rethink an assumption you have made about someone or even about yourself? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
#28
Being too chill.
A lot of people said being quiet but I actually think being quiet makes others believe you're MORE intelligent.
It's the person who just doesn't seem to give a darn that comes across as unintelligent when that might not be true.
#29
A lot of accents, but especially southern, Appalachian, AAVE. Anything with a negative stereotype associated.
Wonky Donkey 3 hours ago
In the UK, talking with anything other than an RP English accent. Something like only 2% of people speak with an RP accent in the UK, but it's the accent you always hear in movies whenever a character is British. I applied for a job teaching English in China several years ago, and I could tell that my West Midlands dialect had confused and disappointed the interviewer and they hinted that maybe I should change the way I talk. We're very proud of our regional dialects here and they can be a big part of our identity, so that wasn't going to happen.
#30
My hillbilly accent. I reckon dialect isn’t indicative of cognitive capacity. Regional phonetics are sociolinguistic markers, not measures of intelligence. And I ain’t changing. My language is part of my culture.
#32
Skeptical, doubtfulness, and quiet.
Nicole Weymann 1 hour ago
Skeptical and doubtful: yes, to a certain degree. COVIDiots, flat earthers, and antivaxxers cross that line to a degree that makes it impossible for them to see it with a telescope - at the same time often blindly trusting in their own opinion and "gut feeling" over actual physical evidence.
#33
Slow thinkers. I have a friend who is very slow and deliberate in his manner. People sometimes think he's dumb, but he's smarter than most people I know -- including me, and my IQ is at least 135 (and better on a good day).
#35
Being quiet. People think you have nothing to say, meanwhile you’re just observing and processing information.
#36
Pausing before you answer. people read a beat of silence as not knowing, when usually it just means you're actually thinking instead of blurting the first thing that comes to mind.
#38
Being autistic.
In fact, fun fact!
A lot of brain studies suggest that autistics can have up to 2x local connections between local areas of the brain! Hence, why many of us love the special interests - it is a rich brain network.
#41
Being Southern.
Aileen Grist 5 hours ago
In the UK it's the opposite Southerners are inclined to think that Northerners are stupid. lol
#42
A 'countryside' accent, me luvver.
#44
Swearing. It's been studied deeply but the fact is that people who swear typically have a bigger vocabulary than those who don't, especially if they don't use it as punctuation but as flavouring.
Swear words are often creative and just a part of language, after all.
Mofeta Doug 1 hour ago
I've always liked "Obscenity is just a crutch for inarticulate m'f'rs".
#45
Having a missing tooth. My husband broke a tooth and opted to have it replaced with a peg implant.
The dentist pulled the tooth and waited for it to heal. Then he put in the peg, and waited for it to heal.
Next will come the tooth.
For stages of this, hubby can't wear the temporary bridge to hide the gap.
He definitely notices a big difference in how he is treated when he doesn't have the bridge in.
#47
Nonstandard accent and illiteracy. Having a nonstandard accent is easiest to explain, it's just stereotypes that make people think they're stupid, but people forget reading and writing have to be actively taught (it's not something you pick up by existing around it like you do with speech) and there are people with circumstances that simply never were.
What do you think ?
StumblingThroughLife 6 hours ago (edited)
A lot of these examples went beyond credibility. e.g. Mouth breathers. 😶 Also worth mentioning that people with a passion for a particular field/subject/hobby/thing often know absolutely everything about it.
Ace 5 hours ago
I don't think we're supposed to believe that 'mouth-breathers' are actually of low intelligence, or is it simply that you don't believe that anyone would think that in the first place?
Load More Replies... Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 7 hours ago (edited)
Knowledge and intelligence. They are not the same thing. There are several regulars on here who show a great display of knowledge in all manner of subjects but then show brain rotting intelligence elsewhere. If you know people who are doctors, or scientists, experts in their field, you will know they are capable of the most almighty of brain-farts. There is also the self belief that because they are intelligent then they automatically know better than others. That is also prevalent on this site.
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 7 hours ago (edited)
Also I would say, and this is a BROAD generalisation, the older people on this site may have plenty of knowledge, but some of the most intelligent people in this site are the youngsters. Some of the youngsters get hate for not typing well or using a version of English that is slightly alien to us oldies, but that does not mean they are ignorant or daft by any means.
Load More Replies... StumblingThroughLife 6 hours ago (edited)
A lot of these examples went beyond credibility. e.g. Mouth breathers. 😶 Also worth mentioning that people with a passion for a particular field/subject/hobby/thing often know absolutely everything about it.
Ace 5 hours ago
I don't think we're supposed to believe that 'mouth-breathers' are actually of low intelligence, or is it simply that you don't believe that anyone would think that in the first place?
Load More Replies... Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 7 hours ago (edited)
Knowledge and intelligence. They are not the same thing. There are several regulars on here who show a great display of knowledge in all manner of subjects but then show brain rotting intelligence elsewhere. If you know people who are doctors, or scientists, experts in their field, you will know they are capable of the most almighty of brain-farts. There is also the self belief that because they are intelligent then they automatically know better than others. That is also prevalent on this site.
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 7 hours ago (edited)
Also I would say, and this is a BROAD generalisation, the older people on this site may have plenty of knowledge, but some of the most intelligent people in this site are the youngsters. Some of the youngsters get hate for not typing well or using a version of English that is slightly alien to us oldies, but that does not mean they are ignorant or daft by any means.
Load More Replies...
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