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| Educational Snobs! | |
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| Topic Started: Nov 21 2016, 07:48 AM (498 Views) | |
| swing | Nov 21 2016, 07:48 AM Post #1 |
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swing
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Last evening we were invited to a birthday party for DH's friend who turned 60! There were 40 people there, mostly family, a couple neighbours and friends. It was a little congested and people knowing one another, rallied together. I finally took my wine and sat next to a couple women who were neighbours. The one promptly asked me what I did? I said I'm retired now, but used to be employed by the bank. The husband then chimed in saying how banks provide little service any more, blah blah, whatever. He then went on to inform us of his many accomplishments and travels as a University prof, then to not be outdone he was joined by another colleague! DH having joined me at this point was asked how he knew the host. He replied and stated the federal dept. they'd both worked for years before, an acceptance was immediate, as it was apparent he was educated! I certainly appreciate education knowing the hard work it entails, however felt slighted last evening! I am a strong person and not easily intimidated, but the attitude was off putting. Not everyone is University material, in fact until recently, the trades in this city had a comparable or better lifestyle. |
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| David | Nov 21 2016, 08:08 AM Post #2 |
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I've seen those types and despise them. Most people I know with higher education are cool. |
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| angora | Nov 21 2016, 08:29 AM Post #3 |
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WWS Book Club Coordinator
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Not everyone wants to go to University and unless you plan to be a doctor or lawyer or some such, it isnt necessary. University in times long ago really meant something. The courses were such that they taught you methods of thought and deepened your understanding of the world, yourself and others. Now it is glorified high school. Memorize and regurgitate. It was pretty much like that when I went and I was disappointed. The only professor I had who excited me was an Anthropology prof who had done on site studies. I believe I learned more of value by my constant curiosity and my reading habits than I did at U. |
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| David | Nov 21 2016, 09:23 AM Post #4 |
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For me, college taught me how to learn. How to gather and extract information. It also helped my organizational skills. My kids both have music degrees. It's their passion. I would advise a young person these days to go to a trade school. |
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| heatseeker | Nov 21 2016, 10:16 AM Post #5 |
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Veteran Member
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My son and many of his friends went to university and then into the trades and are happy with their choices. Can't imagine them quizzing anybody about their level of education. Edited by heatseeker, Nov 21 2016, 10:17 AM.
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| wildie | Nov 21 2016, 10:28 AM Post #6 |
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Veteran Member
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I went to university for eleven years! I was employed in the electrical department and became a journeyman electrician. It was certainly an educational experience as we were responsible for the high voltage distribution system, the elevators, fire alarms, traffic signals and parking lot gate controllers. Anything that that was electrical in the labs that required repair came to us! Used to run the score for the football games and do the lighting control in a 2500 seat theatre. Not much in the electrical field that I never had a hand in! |
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| imjene | Nov 21 2016, 10:31 AM Post #7 |
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Gold Star Member
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Many of those who flaunt their education have the need, somehow, to use that fact to impress people. This probably means that they are actually quite insecure people who elevate themselves by putting other people down. It is their security blanket. Our son does not have a college or university education, but is self taught and very educated way beyond many people's formal education qualifications. |
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| haili | Nov 21 2016, 12:59 PM Post #8 |
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Gold Star Member
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I used to feel inferior because I hadn't gone to university so I took some night and correspondence courses to prove that I could do it and got a social work certificate. A lot of well educated people haven't got much common sense and to me, common sense is much more useful in life. Family members with trades or just plain hard work seem just as happy and well adjusted as the educated ones. |
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| Kahu | Nov 21 2016, 01:23 PM Post #9 |
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Common sense is in short supply these days Haili. I see the great continuities in New Zealand history as being decency and common sense and up until now when we've confronted these things we've been able to talk them through, and I'm sure we will with this issue as well. Michael King |
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| David | Nov 21 2016, 01:25 PM Post #10 |
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Yes but at the same time, we mustn't denigrate higher education either. Both schools of thought are valid. My mother was convinced that people with degrees didn't have sense enough to come in from the rain, which of course isn't true. Loads of people with college backgrounds have loads of common sense. Untrained musicians often degrade trained musicians, but both can be great players. I know that trained musicians tend to have a larger musical vocabulary, but it isn't necessarily so. I guess the bottom line is to look at each individual instead of painting everyone with a broad brush.
Edited by David, Nov 21 2016, 01:30 PM.
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| imjene | Nov 21 2016, 03:08 PM Post #11 |
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Gold Star Member
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That's true, David. -- and well educated people, no matter what kind of educated, should not be snobs! |
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| David | Nov 21 2016, 03:48 PM Post #12 |
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I don't like anyone acting like a snob either.
Edited by David, Nov 21 2016, 04:10 PM.
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| Shorty | Nov 21 2016, 06:42 PM Post #13 |
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Red Star Member
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There are lots of reasons someone can be a snob. Money is one. Whatever the reason, essentially they're asses. |
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| campy | Nov 21 2016, 09:20 PM Post #14 |
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Handyman Extraordinaire
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I just tell everyone that I went to the school of hard knocks. |
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| haili | Nov 22 2016, 12:20 AM Post #15 |
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Gold Star Member
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Nowadays people have more options and if I had to do it over again I'd go for higher education. Back then I couldn't wait to go out and earn money, like most low income people at that time. |
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