What's better being street smart or book smart?

[Simslover92]

If you had to choose just one to be which would you choose?

I think I would choose being street smart. I am book smart but I hate it because it doesn't allow me to be as successful as I could be with being street smart. I've only been able to get so far with an education but if I tapped more into my street smarts at a young age, I would probably be more further in life.

One thing I can say is that I've learned a lot more in these past 11 years after college than I did the 4 years I was in college. Being in the real world has taught me that being street smart is far more important in the long run than an educational background. The only thing education gets you is maybe your foot in the door with certain jobs but with most you still have to ace the interview and a lot of times know the right people to get in all the way.

Street Smart

Book Smart

[ohsheeT]

I've always been smart. There's a lot of things that I want to know. But I don't want to be persuaded one way or the other just because I read something. I need to find out things on my own. On some things like learning how to do stuff. I'll read above, maybe but. I'm talking about the whole another world


I used to have a boss.
That would come to the job site and would be Stern at what I'm doing. I would just smile and he would say something. And I would look at him and say hey who's fucking this chick me or you. He would smile And then.
He would say

Well, I'm just saying you're supposed to do this first thing. Do that then do that

Because he was booksmart and I would say no

If I do it like that then this part here is not gonna fit or work the way it's supposed to So you're gonna have to do it this way? The way i'm doing it

He would look at it and think about it and he'd say oh yeah , you're right

You have to have handss on experience

[Bklynbadboy12]

I'll take being Street Smart for 1,000 book smart is good but most of the stuff they teach you in books you can't even apply to real life Street Smart you can apply every single bit of that to real life

[Bklynbadboy12]

Thanks for the MHO

[Apple1996]

Street smarts is overall better. Books smart people tend to lack common sense and are more likely to get taken advantage of

[Simslover92]

Right. That was me 10 years ago before I got out into the world and had to figure things out for myself. Now I'm a bit more wise and street smart than I was but still not nearly as much as I would like to be.

[Nikki1989]

If you are book smart, you will have the street smarts regardless.

[AI Opinion]

Both street smarts and book smarts offer valuable skills. Personally, I've found success blending the two. Street smarts provide adaptability and real-world decision-making, while book smarts lay the foundation for informed decisions. Over time, I've observed that leveraging both allows for greater success by combining practical experience with informed insights. While education opens doors, street smarts navigate them. Continual learning and applying both skills synergize to maximize one’s potential.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

I haven't met someone who is book smart without being street smart, I suppose it can exist if they live in a very privileged environment?

I would be terribly sad if street smart was my only option, so I'm going for book smart, for my own well-being lol

[genericname85]

here's no such thing. you're either smart or you're dumb. experience is what fuels smarts and where you get experience is determined by what you choose to do in life. there's no "better" in general. there's only a question of what's your use case.

[Coden7]

I see book smart as knowledge by theory, where street smart is knowledge by experience. Ultimately having a bit of both is best. But if you put them both next to each other and have them do a task they both know how to do by either method. The Street smart person will probably do a better job quicker because they’ve already done it probably multiple times where the other one only knows how to do it

[MannMitAntworten]

I remember years ago while applying for a first job taking a preemployment assessment test that asked a lot of street smart related questions - the test even stated as much. My rationale was because they suffered a lot of shoplifting. Frankly, I felt good learning I failed the street smart segment of the test whilst scoring perfect on the academics. They were seeking a street kid and not a brain. I never worked a retail job as first job. I am okay with that.

[slatyb]

Can you give an example of "street smart" ? Is that different from skill negotiating, being able to read people?

[Simslover92]

No its not. It's the ability to navigate real-world situations and make decisions based on experience and intuition rather than formal education.

[slatyb]

So basic emotional maturity? Sometimes when people say "Street smart" they mean knowing how to deal with dysfunctional or malicious people. This is necessary in places without strong rule of law. In more well-regulated societies often the smart thing to do is to just avoid those situations.

[Static_In_The_Attic]

As for me I’m Street Smart & a little Book Smart but mostly a Smart Ass.

[Fireguy17]

Some people with a college degree can't pour the shit out of their boots with the directions on the heel.

[exitseven]

I have been street smart all my life and it only got me so far. I would like to give book smart try in my next life,

[Xawyx-2]

Book smart can be better for education, but street smart usually makes you more successful, just like you said.

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

Street smart and its not even close.

You can become very rich if you understand people and know how to provide value besides the point being street smart keeps you safe as well.

[KostasKouvalis]

Street smart is probably better, but I prefer book smart

[msc545]

Book smart means you may not have to wast time becoming street smart. Books tend to be written by people who are already street smart.

[jahaims]

Street. You can get rich being street smart and not get taken advantage of.

[Babygirl_S]

Most like those who are for the streets so gotta be street smart

[CubaPirate]

Best to learn through your personal experiences

[sage2021]

Street smart especially now a days!!

[andreasderjuengere]

Isn't it a combination of both?

[Jennz6]

Streets smart

[KateCrombie]

Street smart i guess

[Jeff51]

Street smart