You’re whip smart and have a lot of great insights, but there’s probably someone in your life who just doesn’t see or respect it.
You don’t need them to bow down and proclaim you a genius or anything, but a little respect for your intelligence would be nice. Here are some signs someone doesn’t appreciate your brain and all it’s capable of, which is a real shame.
1. They constantly interrupt you when you’re talking.
If someone regularly cuts you off mid-sentence, it could indicate they don’t value your input. They clearly think their thoughts are more important than yours. Of course, some people are just chatty, but consistent interruption can be a red flag.
2. They dismiss your ideas without consideration.
When you share an idea or suggestion, they brush it off without giving it any thought. Their dismissive attitude might show they don’t think your ideas are worth exploring. It’s normal for not every idea to be a winner, but outright dismissal without discussion is concerning.
3. They explain things to you that you already know.
Also known as ‘mansplaining’ (though not exclusive to men), this behaviour involves explaining something to you in a condescending way, assuming you don’t already understand it. It’s particularly telling if you’re an expert in the subject being explained.
4. They don’t ask for your opinion on important things.
In situations where your input would be valuable, they don’t even bother to ask for it. That could mean they don’t recognise the value of your perspective. However, it’s worth considering if they might just be forgetful or overwhelmed.
5. They react with surprise when you show off your knowledge.
If they seem shocked when you display expertise or understanding, it might be because they’ve underestimated your intelligence. While sometimes this can be a positive realisation for them, consistent surprise can be patronising.
6. They talk down to you or use overly simple language.
Using a condescending tone or oversimplifying concepts unnecessarily can mean they don’t think you’re capable of understanding more complex ideas. Their behaviour often comes across as patronising, even if it’s not intentional.
7. They don’t have deep conversations with you.
If they consistently steer clear of intellectual discussions with you or seem uncomfortable when you bring up more complex topics, it might mean they don’t appreciate your capacity for such conversations. Remember, though, some people just prefer lighter chat.
8. They attribute your successes to luck rather than skill or intelligence.
When you achieve something, they chalk it up to good fortune instead of recognising your hard work and smarts. Their bad attitude downplays your capabilities and the effort you’ve put in.
9. They make jokes about your intelligence or education.
While some teasing can be harmless, consistent jokes at the expense of your intelligence might point to a lack of respect. It’s especially concerning if these jokes continue after you’ve let them know how much you hate them.
10. They don’t remember important things you’ve told them.
Repeatedly forgetting important information you’ve shared could suggest they’re not paying attention when you speak. While everyone forgets things sometimes, a pattern of this behaviour might mean they don’t value your words.
11. They talk over you in group settings.
In meetings or social gatherings, they always speak over you or don’t give you a chance to contribute, which can make you feel your input isn’t valued. However, some people do this unintentionally, especially in excited discussions.
12. They don’t acknowledge your expertise in your field.
If you’re knowledgeable in a particular area, but they consistently defer to other people or outside sources instead of you, it might mean they don’t recognise your expertise. This can be particularly frustrating at work, when your knowledge could come in handy.
13. They try to one-up you in conversations.
When you share an idea or experience, they always have to top it with something “better”. Their competitive behaviour might be down to feeling threatened by your intelligence, or simply from their own insecurity.
14. They don’t give you challenging tasks or responsibilities.
In a work or project setting, if you’re consistently given simple tasks below your skill level, it could mean they don’t appreciate your full capabilities. Of course, this could also be due to other factors, like seniority or specific role requirements.
15. They make assumptions about your knowledge based on stereotypes.
If they presume you don’t know about certain things based on your gender, age, background, or appearance, it shows they’re not appreciating your individual intelligence and capabilities.
16. They don’t ask follow-up questions when you’re explaining something.
A lack of engagement or curiosity when you’re sharing your knowledge might indicate they’re not interested in learning from you. However, remember that some people are just naturally less inquisitive.
17. They trivialise your achievements or qualifications.
Downplaying your accomplishments or suggesting your qualifications aren’t significant can be a sign they don’t fully appreciate your intellectual capabilities. They’re probably just insecure.
18. They don’t defend or support you when other people underestimate you.
If they stay silent when other people dismiss your ideas or abilities, it might mean they agree with that assessment. A true ally would speak up to ensure your contributions are recognised.
19. They don’t share intellectually stimulating content with you.
If they never send you interesting articles, recommend books, or share thought-provoking ideas, it could mean they don’t see you as someone who would appreciate such content. Of course, this could also just reflect different interests.
20. They don’t seem interested in your personal growth or learning.
A lack of support or enthusiasm for your efforts to learn new skills or expand your knowledge might suggest they don’t value your intellectual development. Remember, though, that some people are just naturally less expressive in their support.
