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Do You Play Dumb or Show How Smart You Are?

by thunderbird
17 replies
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A friend of mine who used to be a cop and then had a private investigation business introduced me to the advantages of playing dumb. I even witnessed it in action and have to admit I couldn't believe what I was seeing, but it was real. I learned that playing dumb often causes people to reveal much more information than they'd otherwise give you, while if they think you're smart it puts them on their guard and they freeze up, thus imparting less information.
  • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
    I don't understand what your saying ...
    Can you please explain?
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  • Profile picture of the author hardraysnight
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

    A friend of mine who used to be a cop and then had a private investigation business introduced me to the advantages of playing dumb. I even witnessed it in action and have to admit I couldn't believe what I was seeing, but it was real. I learned that playing dumb you often causes people to reveal much more information than they'd otherwise give you, while if they think you're smart it puts them on their guard and they freeze up, thus imparting less information.
    You REALLY didn't know that? I often choose my audience. I have been burned too much by saying something early, presentng it to a crowd or presenting it to one person. I was actually in a job where a guy put himself between me and the boss, presented my ideas as his own, and benefited. One day, I saw my chance. He came up with a crazy theory, and I didn't correct him. He got fired.

    If I were arrested, I might be tempted to take the fifth saying only that any info I gave might be used against any claim of the fifth(Illegal, but apparently done), or might be used to indicate that my using the fifth indicates that I was guilty in that area.(ALSO illegal, but done). You know me, people may twist my words.

    In the courtroom, I think the ONLY time I would sign like a canary was during the selection phase, if I were on the jury. I bet I could get kicked off the jury without even the JUDGE knowing why! I would try to sound like I was saying the same thing, and have the defense AND prosecution willing to PAY me to keep me out of the county during their trial!

    I MIGHT even try to channel sherlock holmes to tell them why their client has to lose.

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Do You Play Dumb or Show How Smart You Are?
      That is subjective.

      Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author lcombs
    "It is better to keep quite and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt."
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    • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
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      Originally Posted by lcombs View Post

      "It is better to keep quite and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt."
      Remove all doubt. ;-)
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Some of us don't have to "play" dumb.
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    Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

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    • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      Some of us don't have to "play" dumb.
      But which is which, who is who, that is the question, Maxwell Smart would have stated.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
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  • Profile picture of the author Halcyon
    As people tend to relax when they feel superior to you, it becomes easier to accomplish things when the other party isn't feeling threatened.

    I won't say that I play dumb as much as I let them feel comfortable in their superiority. That is until it no longer suits me to do so.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
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      Originally Posted by Halcyon View Post

      As people tend to relax when they feel superior to you, it becomes easier to accomplish things when the other party isn't feeling threatened.

      I won't say that I play dumb as much as I let them feel comfortable in their superiority. That is until it no longer suits me to do so.
      Sounds like a lot of work/acting to play what amounts to a power game.
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      • Profile picture of the author Halcyon
        Originally Posted by Joe Robinson View Post

        Sounds like a lot of work/acting to play what amounts to a power game.
        Not really. It's actually easier.
        People usually have their preconceived opinions and I just don't bother trying to debunk them unless I need to.

        For example, my neighbors think I'm a housewife who plays on the computer all day. They have no idea that I earn the bulk of our income and my husband only works now because the health insurance is cheaper. (A member of my household has an illness that makes getting insurance on our own almost impossible)

        I'm just the short little brown woman with 3 kids. They don't know that I have a MS in mathematics, I'm a member of mensa or that I own the company that owns 8 of the houses on the block.

        Trust me it's easier for me to keep my mouth shut and smile sweetly. I used to let my brilliance shine but it's more alienating than endearing.
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  • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
    Both. Depends on the "audience".
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
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  • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
    Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

    A friend of mine who used to be a cop and then had a private investigation business introduced me to the advantages of playing dumb. I even witnessed it in action and have to admit I couldn't believe what I was seeing, but it was real. I learned that playing dumb often causes people to reveal much more information than they'd otherwise give you, while if they think you're smart it puts them on their guard and they freeze up, thus imparting less information.

    Peter Faulk as Police Lt. Columbo comes to mind.


    All The Best!!


    TL
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    "It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled. -- Mark Twain

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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Yeah, columbo acted like a dumb, inept, disordered person that TRIED to keep things straight. The villains often had a near perfect murder, and thought they got away with it, but something ALWAYS tripped them up! Whether it was hair on a cap, different dust pattern, coming back to the scene, intercepted broadcasts, a switched cork, or something else.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author scottsdaleins
    Halcyon's reply about superiority is along the right tracks, it coaxes others into letting their guard down. But it's situational to play smart/dumb. Hodor!
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