Which is more valuable: street smarts or book smarts?

Question

Silas345 · Accepted Answer

Well you need a good balance of both to have a satisfying life and make good decisions. On which one to value more, depends on your goals (traveling solo needs a lot of street smarts, being a scientist needs more book smarts) and your life situation (if you live in a place that's unsafe or if you have a dangerous job then you should work on your street smarts to survive).

purplepoppy · Accepted Answer

Street smarts is just a way of coping with the fact your thick as pigshit and failed every exam you took. I've yet to see a job advertised that requires a particular qualification or equivalent "street smarts". The real smart people stay away from the shithole areas that need street smarts.

ManOnFire · Answer

Both can actually come in handy, although I would say that street smarts aren't something you exactly need to have or should have, but that you do need to be aware of people out there who use them. Often times people with street smarts know how to trick others, how to act in certain ways to take advantage of people, and they're usually very observant, not for good but to study you and see what you're all about and how they can play you. They notice everything about you, from the way you talk to the kind of shoes you wear. Having said that, it's very important to be knowledgeable about these kinds of people, to watch them just as closely as they watch you, and be aware of what their intentions are.

Ultimately though book smarts are most valuable because you will go further in life with solid intelligence. You make a bigger impression on people, especially those of a higher caliber lifestyle, job, or society. And you have more potential to climb higher in life with a good career.

If you're a booksmart person, it's even more important to be aware of and be careful with people who have a lot of street smarts because they often think that since you're book smart, you're nerdy and naive and they think they can really play you.

jgokgotit · Answer

Street smarts are more valuable. Street smarts refers to more than just surviving in the hood. It refers to work ethic, common sense, how to talk to and treat people (kindergarten does teach good social skills, but beyond that school is useless in this realm) , emotional intelligence and so many other things. Basically, street smarts is everything in life that you learn OUTSIDE of the academic setting. Books and schools do teach valuable stuff, but I'd rather hire a person with no degree but is good at figuring things out on their own and can treat people right than someone with a Master's Degree who thinks their college taught them everything about the job and they have no creative streak to get the job done other than "what my professor said to do". Most jobs can be taught with on the job training DESPITE what high schools and colleges say. The ONLY jobs that a degree is necessary to learn the job would be jobs in the medical field and jobs that a small mistake can be detrimental. Warehouse, law enforcement, grocery, management and many other jobs do not need school to learn how to do effectively. If the job does not involves life or death mistakes or a field where everything must be done precisely then OJT (part of street smarts) is better than street smarts. If you look at most of the rich, they did not acquire their wealth with the degree they pursued in school. They did something creative, outside the box or knew how to get in good with people. That is street smarts.

Mikeilito · Answer

Well a little something about me I had a hard life grew up On the wrong side of the track in los Angela’s in the 70s we didn’t Have much most of my youth was lived in Huntington Park Ca a predominately Mexican town with two major gangs you may have heard of 18th st and Florencia both bitter rivals being white I was neautral no affiliations to either but respect got you through as it does now you had to be tough couple miles north and and NE was E Los and Boyle Heights little further still by the 10fwy to Downtown was City of Terrace all of what yiu heard of about los Angela’s was the heart of it all gangs Chicano great people a pridefull people would yiu want to learn life non better to teach you than the Chicano or Mexican family’s it thought me much, much of what I live today I learned on those streets and it’s kept me alive it’s a street smart that teaches you to respect one another no matter if you like them or not. the streets and life is all about respect with that you can move through life learning much from many people and cultures which you will find if your not living uptown may just learned enough to stay alive, I learned many a hustle that some never do and that’s why You see so many today falling pray to so many different scams, many of the names have changed but there all the same as I learned growing up just the with a new twist or angle, participate in enough of the life style of the less fortunate there are some very good lessons in life it’s been good for me I can go around ony group of people and fit right in, most of what you learn in books you’ll never use as an adult except what youve learned for a career but the things you learn to live you have to learn 1st hand some a little tougher than others trust me I know, i never said it was easy but the pain and lessons learned from it are priceless!

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

Both are equally important for various reasons.

Book smart people have a formal education which allows and creates opportunities for them to excel academiclly, socially from a financial standpoint and personal perspective, and is also instrumental to society benefiting overall as these kinds of people are the pioneers of innovation which creates future jobs for others and generations to come.

Moreover, they will most likely be the ones to govern the future of a country, and you certainly don't want uneducated people to govern your country nor have your future nor your kids future in their hands.

As for street smart individuals, its important to have a good level of street savvy because there are certain things and experiences you can't be tought by a group of professors or sitting in a class room compare to actually having real in person interaction and experiences.

Street savvy individuals are highly keen of the dangers and ill nature of other human beings and aren't easily fooled or taking advantage of compared to someone who has spent most of their lives living inside a bubble of middle class or higher and supreme book education which doesn't exposes them to the actual evils of this world and its inhabitants.

Stoner710 · Answer

Both are important. It’s important to be educated but having street smarts is important as well. You need to know how to walk in a dangerous area and know how to talk your way out of any situation. Hit have a joint or a pack of cigarettes with you nothing stops people from mugging you the a joint gun or cigarettes. I prefer not to use the gun if I don’t have to. I’ve used joints and cigarettes especially when it came to dealing with hells angels in Sturges I actually had to talk them out of killing a guy who Drunkenly got in my face and wanted to fight because I said trump 2020

ZackBan · Answer

Well if you're a librarian then book smart could be useful. Anything else you gotta be street smart. And I do mean anything.
Even a doctor or a lawyer or an engineer needs to be street smart.
I made the mistake of relying on knowledge over experience before and it didn't get me far. Now I'm practicing being street smart and sure being book smart does make it easier sometimes but nothing can replace being able to handle yourself anywhere and think on your feet

jennifer_bloom · Answer

Do you think 10 year old kids have street intelligence? most live happy lives and are safe from harm - obviously there are tragic exceptions to the rule - I don't need street smarts cause I have God - I just avoid crazy people and I'm good enough to filter out idiots

Levin · Answer

Certain people just live in a cocoon. And are perfectly adapted to their environment.

I've met academics who had the emotional maturity of a particularly spoilt 10 year old. But to all intents and purposes, they're successful and have a ton of money.

hellionthesagereborn · Answer

Some one with book smarts and no street smarts is a fool, but a person with street smarts and no book smarts is an idiot. So both are equally valuable, because your not getting anywhere without the other (kind of like asking which is more important the left leg or the right leg, either way with only one your hobbled and not getting anywhere).

sensible27 · Answer

What you are essentially saying is what is more important? common sense or the ability to read books. Depends on how you are framing your life... But if you detached the negative connotation with 'booksmart' most booksmart people are rational in general. Same cannot be said otherwise.

Djaay · Answer

Street smarts , not thug smarts... is a great social skill in dealing with strangers and the general public. Book smarts depending on the curriculums or as references for fields of career decisions are a great manifestation towards understanding the importance of learning them in the first place. Smarts of true references however needed diverse as they maybe , ultimately propel you further into developmental stages of understanding of the reality you must learn in life itself.

nella965 · Answer

Let’s be honest , if you are book smart , you wouldn’t need streets smarts. Books smarts folks tend to make a shit ton of money

Adam1978 · Answer

Just be smart and judge whatever information coming your way, independent if it's from a book or a person or experience. The source is irrelevant if you don't know how use it.

Kiran_Yagami · Answer

Street smarts are more practical and do a better job at keeping you alive than book smarts. Book smarts are only useful in a thriving society that is well protected, well policed, and technologically advanced. In any other kind of society, book smarts don't get you very far at all. So if I had to pick one, it'd be street smarts.

Ámayas_20 · Answer

It depends on the situation but I will say with no real book smarts, but not being a complete idiot, if you've got really good street smarts you can still easily make something of yourself the other way around not so much.

Vesuvius87 · Answer

Street smarts What's the use of getting excellent grades at school and readings lot of books if you can't cook to survive or haven't developed sccial skills?

dreamymeme · Answer

Street smarts help you survive the world your in, book smarts help you change it.

Madhatter920 · Answer

It depends on where you are. Street smarts are far more valuable if you live on the streets. Book smarts are far more valuable if you ever intend to be rich or have a successful career.

Grandsalamander · Answer

Famous athletes, all kinds of businesses men, several politicians and innovative clever people in general are street smart, and are the exact opposite of book smart but they are inifitely more successful than the book smart nerds they employ. Being book smart doesn't mean jack shit if you are a beta bitch dork who doesn't know anything about how the world works.

Reply

Anonymous · Answer

I think book smarts definitely puts you in a position to excel, whereas streets smarts puts you in a position to survive and not be fucked over.

ItalianGuy2021 · Answer

Street smarts book smarts is not even making you smart. Just memory retention of information that wealthy old guys want you to have so you can be stupid.

loveslongnails · Answer

It depends if you expect to live on the streets for the rest of your life, or not. If you do, then street smarts are more important.

ILoveAnime · Answer

Both are great, but probably street smarts. What good is knowing about Shakespear if you don't know how to pay taxes?

Curmudgeon · Answer

In a lawful society, book smarts. But street smarts are still wonderful. Especially as sadly, things are becoming more lawless.

alligatorblues · Answer

Book smarts will remove the need for street smarts, by raising ones standard of living, which places them physically away from those who live by the laws of the street. .

tHISpLACEiSbONKERZ · Answer

It all comes down to if you know how to productively apply that knowledge. If you don't both are useless.

LEADFOOTboi · Answer

street smarts cuz it can get things done in reality where some booksmarts can't... although i try to apply my booksmarts where i can...

Drumlin2001 · Answer

Depends whar oppurtunities you get. If you can get a white collar job then book smarts. Otherwise street smartswill stand you in good stead

KingdomForAKiss · Answer

It probably depends on your career or trade, as well as your socioeconomic status, what is more valuable to you as an individual.

StickStickity13 · Answer

For society, book smarts are more important. Individually street smarts are important. Most of societal advancements didn't come because they're street smart.

0112358 · Answer

Depends what the “book smarts” are in. Some fields book smarts pay decently.

Hydrogen · Answer

Street smarts can adapt to changes, book smarts will panic and die facing the first challenge. It's all good until shit hits the fan.

bulletbob555 · Answer

I think its important to have both. Everyone deserves to be smart. Street smarts help because not everyone is nice and haves your best interest at heart

flipinyou · Answer

Example; this pandemic had all of the kids out of school yet they let people on the streets fend for thrm selves. You need to be resourceful to make it on the streets. You may win at jepordy if you are book smart.

Phoenix98 · Answer

They're fairly equal their importance really depends on your situation.

John_Doesnt · Answer

A doctor makes a lot more money than a drug dealer.

Anonymous · Answer

While yes having your whits about you on the street is important but street smarts ain't going to get you paid

EnglundUberAlles · Answer

Street smarts are the first essential. You can add book smarts as they become necessary.

DiscomfortZone · Answer

Well that depends if you want to get an actual job or be a drug dealer and got shot up by homies by your 28th at most.

Liam_Hayden · Answer

That depends on whether you are running a business or walking down Skid Row.

Anonymous · Answer

Street smarts. Depends on your lifestyle too. Some careers require more book smarts than others.

Nigjt · Answer

If u don't know how to make it outside then u will not make it if this world gose to shit for real. God Bless

Anonymous · Answer

Book smarts by far. Yeah common sense is always good, but it never pays nor does anyone ever care about people having street smarts.

lazermazer · Answer

People with both the traits are the ones getting most powerful jobs.

willisg · Answer

Book smarts to get job and street smarts to compete with your coworkers.

KrakenAttackin · Answer

They are both important. The combination of the two is "experience" which is priceless.

Whorantined · Answer

You won't get far without street smarts but part of street smarts is finding ways to get the necessary knowledge with or without books.

Sabretooth · Answer

street smarts from my experience-book smarts won't help you in many things today.

Cryptic-Game · Answer

It depends on what avenue you are trying to achieve.

leahzrc · Answer

there should be a balanace

Apple1996 · Answer

Definitely street smarts!

MalcolmNZ · Answer

Street smarts can keep you alive!

Hermes-Paris · Answer

Good to have some of both.

Underworld158 · Answer

Street smart who reads. But mainly street smart

Ripper_E · Answer

They are equally valuable

milliesmithi999 · Answer

Neither tbh but I'd go with book smarts

Anonymous · Answer

Unless you have good friends, family and coworkers having only book smarts won't get you too far in life.

SuccessfulHornDog · Answer

It all depends where you live.

Iron_Man · Answer

My street smarts keep me going strong

YesIsaidit · Answer

They compliment each other like coffee and milk

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