Street Smarts vs. Book Smarts. Which one is more important in life?

Question

To what degree is one more useful over the other? Give some examples.

Answer 1

One can have street smarts and have this incredible ability to relate with people and be able to empathize with people but to an extent those book smarts in your life help you to get through by being able to communicate to one through logic and reason that you often do not learn through the "street". Example, we learn how to read and write by knowledge through books. I believe the book is the foundation, and the "street" is the building.

I believe it is ultimately dependent on the individual as to which one is more important in life. Why? Because it depends on what they choose to do or how they choose to live their life. For example if i wish to help others that have suffered problems, then perhaps it is better if i had some "street smarts", but if my ultimate goal is that of a business woman i simply may only need the guidance of a book to achieve this and do well in this as a career.

In saying all this, it can be said that the two compliment each other and it would be the ultimate to have a nice mixture of both of these in one's life. As with anything, moderation is key.

Answer 2

Common sense is # 1 in my book. You can be a very intelligent person in the books, but if you don't know how to apply your smarts to everyday life, you're useless. People ask on here quite often how to be a good boss. My number 1 reply is to listen to your peoples concerns and ideas. Just because you are a boss or manager does not mean you are smarter than the people who work for you. I have had several jobs at different companies. Some high pay, some crappy pay. I would rather have a lower pay job where management listens to what I have to say. Just knowing they value my opinions says a lot. I used to have a neighbor who was extremely intelligent, he could give you an answer to almost anything, (or it seemed that way,) he always had his nose in a book, but when it came to common sense, he was nothing. He couldn't even figure out how to use a simple hose nozzle. He also couldn't drive a screw into a piece of wood. When it came to common everyday things, he was without a clue. Both smarts are important, but I will take common sense over book smart any time.

Answer 3

Both are important. A person who has only book smarts can be very easily taken advantage of...you need to be socially savvy and understand not everyone comes from the same background/point of view you do, and adjust your own behavior accordingly. A person with little book smarts, om the other hand, lacks the formal education prized and/or required in many high paying professions. A well-rounded person trumps either any day.

Answer 4

Without some level of both you will not get very far in life.

Book Smarts alone will not lead you to success.

I look at my own family. My Aunt is one of the smartest (book smart) people I know. She was the first one in my family to go to college. My own mother barely graduated from high.

Today my aunt is renting an apartment barely making ends meet while my mom owns a house and already has a nice nest egg for retirement. My Aunt had some money for a while but she got it because of my mother giving her investment advice.

Answer 5

I beleive street smarts, or in other words, common sense. There are alot of people who are so logic minded that that part of their brain begins to override the common sense part of their brain, and they tend to lack social skills, the ability to make wise decisions, and aren't very flexible with life. Not all of them, of course, I'm not making generalizations, I'm just saying that someone who has excersized the logic part of their brain for too long a period of time, will leave their common sense lying dormant, and when this part of the brain is needed, it will be difficult for them to use it. Yes, book smarts gets you through school and a good job, but people with street smarts can start from the bottom and get anywhere they want, because they have life wisdom. My husband dropped out in the ninth grade because school wasn't something he felt was necessary for him at that time. Now, he's working at a job that requires people who have a diploma, but his boss overlooked it because of the type of worker he is, dedicated, great people skills, and he knows what he wants in life and gets it. After only 6 months he is now an assistant manager and is next in line to own the store, which will be happening in the next year. I'd say that his common sense played the major part in this one.

Answer 6

Neither one is better than the other or more important in life.... we need good doses of both.... and a huge dash of common sense..

Take a stroll along any beach and you will be sure to find a person with a list of degrees who is presently majoring in Sandology (Being a beach bum).....

There is more than one town in Australia and I dare say other countries too that is reknown for the nmber of people with degrees who are on the dole....from BAs to PHDs....

Book smart people often become intellectual snobs who think less of those who are not as formally educated and yet if the rug is pulled from under them... ie they lose their job, home, etc,,,, they find that it is those around them with less formal education that can help them through...

Street smart people become snobs in reverse, thinking they are so much better because they are not tied down to formal education and the rigours of learning... yet when they are unwell, or in need of legal help it is to the edicated people they turn...

I have often thought that city kids at the end of their highschool education, before either going on to higher edcation or the streets should be required to work for two years on a farm... country kids should be required to work for two years in a factory or shop in the city.

In this way no matter where they go after that they have learned somewhat how the other half lives....and learned a good ddeal of common sense that can be applied in real life situations..

Answer 7

Logic, saying street or book smarts is like saying intelligent vs smart. People with book smarts know a lot, but they can use little of their knowledge, and street smart people can use their brain to figure out real world problems better and more realisticly and concretely. Street Smarts: Won't get robbed or duped as easily, average but maybe fufilling career, pretty happy. Book Smarts: Might get robbed or taken advantage of because of the geek factor, a good career, more likely to be fulfilling, not be called a dumb *** as much, pretty happy. So either way it's happiness and doing what you want to do.

Answer 8

Honestly, I know people who are just book smarts and just street smarts both could survive, but with many many problems. Two examples:

A co worker who grew up on the streets and has a bad reputation for crime has trouble surviving because he has children with many different women and no control over his financial problems.

My next door neighbor has trouble surviving because he is just book smart. He's a scientist (growing up we called him the mad or dumb scientist). He is very very smart and makes a lot of money but has absolutely no common sense. His house has been robbed many times because of the lack of remembering to close the door and the number of times hes come knocking on our door to ask us something that he primarily forgot.

In order to really survive in this world, you need some degree of both or you will just end up lost (like the two idiots above).

Answer 9

Most people i know who are really book smart has no common scense. i pefer to be more street smart, you have a better understanding of people and how to handle all different situations. experiencing things in life helps you learn and grow as a person.

Answer 10

BOOK SMARTS! Book smarts will put clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and food on the table. People who have book smarts usually develop a certain degree of street smarts.

On the other hand, street smarts will help you to survive IF you are always on the streets. But those who have book smarts rarely end up on the streets.