The distinction between being "street smart" and "book smart" lies in their innate responses and rational understanding when encountering a situation. Here's a breakdown of the differences:
Street smart individuals tend to be sensitive to emotional responses in dealing with people. They are quick to grasp the nuances of social interactions. For instance, economists and entrepreneurs differ in their approaches; the former are often book smart, while the latter are considered street smart. While economic theories may take time to apply practically, street smart individuals excel in the immediacy of real-world business operations.
Book smart individuals are more attuned to the principles behind various matters, often in a generalized manner. However, they may lack sensitivity to specific, current issues.
The approach to communication can vary; whether to start with emotions or rationality, emphasizing either the heart or the mind.
The downside of being book smart may become apparent immediately as it can delay action due to overthinking.
On the other hand, the drawbacks of being street smart may not surface until years later, as seen in the example of individuals who prioritize immediate gains without considering long-term consequences. For instance, a couple composed of a financially savvy, yet uneducated wife and an educated, but financially struggling husband, may face challenges due to their differing perspectives and skill sets. Despite the potential for complementarity, their differences may lead to conflict.
Despite the prevalence of the term "street smart" in contemporary discourse, true street smarts encompass more than just manual dexterity and practical skills. It involves adeptly managing interpersonal relationships, including those within a marriage. Hence, according to the definition found through a Google search, the wife in the example may not fully embody street smarts.
Before the widespread use of the term "street smart," I equated it with thinking fast, while viewing book smart as thinking slow. This aligns with the theory proposed in "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman, which distinguishes between intuitive, emotional judgments (system 1) and logical, rational thinking (system 2). Both systems have their strengths and weaknesses.
Reflecting on past experiences, I once admired a female superior for her quick reactions, considering it a valuable trait. However, she humbly acknowledged that her rapid responses were not always beneficial, as they sometimes alienated others. She emphasized the importance of slowing down, suggesting that being too quick-witted can have its drawbacks. Her words left a lasting impression, highlighting the value of balancing quick thinking with thoughtful consideration.
As I delve deeper into this topic, I realize its complexity and the multitude of perspectives and examples it encompasses. Each combination of street smarts and book smarts presents its own set of cases, both positive and negative. Therefore, it's essential to engage in discussions and explore the nuances of these concepts further.
** definition of street smart vs book smart and provide me with examples, by extrapolate below notes: "
smart，大概都要两方面兼顾才能完美解决问题。
差别大概是：
1. street smart, 对人的感性反应比较敏感。说的大点，经济学家和企业家不同，前者是book smart，后者是street smart. 具体经营需要时间，而理论问题对时间不敏感，可以慢慢想
2. Book smart 对“事情的”道理比较敏感，比较普遍化，但对特殊的、具体当下的事情不太敏感。
3. 上来，先谈感情，还是闲谈道理。先说脑袋，还是先说屁股。
4. book smart 的缺点当下就能显现，因为太慢耽误事儿。
5. street smart 的缺点不太明显，要到多年后拐了一个大弯后恶果才显现。当年打天下分田分地真忙，能立即解决问题，绝对的street smart。这个恶果要到几十年后才显现出来---中国人的道德都被彻底破坏了。
• 这种家庭，这种女性很多。理解男女各自的心情。曾也陷在这样的境地。祈祷：求上帝给他们更多的智慧，摆脱这样的境地：） -西东人8- 
(0 bytes) (6 reads) 02/05/2024 postreply 13:01:47
• 你可以跟大家分享分享走出困境的经验。 -邵丰慧- 
(0 bytes) (0 reads) 02/05/2024 postreply 13:37:47
• 龙配龙，老鼠。。。。。 -lovecat08- (0 bytes) (3 reads) 02/05/2024 postreply 13:31:58
• 龙不是配老鼠和鸡吗？ -邵丰慧- (0 bytes) (0 reads) 02/05/2024 postreply 13:36:41
• 老鼠配＂猫猫＂。哈哈！版主生肖属猫？ -老商- (0 bytes) (1 reads) 02/05/2024 postreply 13:46:40
• 我猜商哥属兔：） -西东人8- (0 bytes) (1 reads) 02/05/2024 postreply 13:52:58
• 错！属麻雀！ -老商- (0 bytes) (1 reads) 02/05/2024 postreply 14:10:11
• 猫最喜欢麻雀。 -邵丰慧- (0 bytes) (1 reads) 02/05/2024 postreply 14:16:56
• 是吗？ -老商- (0 bytes) (0 reads) 02/05/2024 postreply 14:27:13
• 这两者的差别何在？碰见一件事儿，有人的本能情绪反应vs理性认识。与人互动大概就是两方面：晓之以理，动之以情。不管哪个 -freemanli01- (952 bytes) (8 reads) 02/05/2024 postreply 14:04:55
• 总结的非常好 ！ -邵丰慧- (0 bytes) (0 reads) 02/05/2024 postreply 14:15:46
• 对“革命”的说法非常认同：）天朝不仅仅只是分了富人的田资本家的钱，是把整个社会各方面的“软”积累全部打碎了，重建在荒谬上 - cw - ♂ (0 bytes) (0 reads) 02/05/2024 14:43:07
• 从不同的角度，“聪明”就不是“聪明”，而是“蠢”了：） - cw - ♂ (0 bytes) (0 reads) 02/05/2024 14:46:55
• 先知先觉，后知后觉，及，不知不觉，由这对夫妻想起多年前有个双博士，落魄穷困，被老婆歧视跳旱桥自杀（下再是高速公路） - 老商 - ♂ (0 bytes) (2 reads) 02/05/2024 15:02:38
(0 bytes) (0 reads) 02/05/2024 postreply 14:46:55【龙年卜卦】市井聪明&书本聪明的夫妻组合今天，我妈又跟我八卦那谁谁谁，一对典型的市井聪明&书本聪明的夫妻组合，日子过的鸡飞狗跳。女方从厨房，到菜园，和日常的精打细算，样样都做的出色，但没有学历和英语，只能做家庭主妇，生活在对之前在国内的风光事业的怀念中。男方是位博士，憨厚老实，在实验室，拿着接近贫困线的收入，总是被女方各种训斥，抱怨和嫌弃。这样的组合，在美国不是少数。 按理说，他们可以互补。但事实是，水火不容。
Google “street smart vs book smart”, 似乎挺street smart 的要多得多, 俨然把street smart 美化成了生活智慧。但单手脚麻利会干活儿会精打细算，还算不上真正意义上的street smart, 除了这些基本的生存技能，还要能处理好人际关系，夫妻关系也是其中之一吧。 所以，从Google出来的定义来讲，那位女方还不够street smart.
在没有google street smart 的意义之前，我总是把 street smart = thinking fast, book smart = thinking slow. 那本thinking, fast and slow， 把人的思维体系分为两套系统： 第一套是快的，本能的，无意识的，直观的，情绪的判断； 第二套是慢的，有意识的，逻辑的，理性的思考的结果。两套各有所长，各有所短。
记得，很多年前，我真心的崇拜和赞美一位女上级： 你的反应真快呀！一招致命，完美还击。没想到，她说：我知道自己的这个特长，其实，真不是什么优点，赢得争论，却输掉了人心。我总是提醒自己慢一点，却总是嘴比脑子快。 她这句话，我记住了几十年。现在想来，她应该是非常幸运的那种两者兼顾的人。却也孤独了一生（至少到目前为止还是单身）。
写到这儿， 我发现我已经有点hold不住这个话题了。写着写着，和我刚开始想说的已经不一样了。而且，任何一种组合都有各色案例，正的反的，好的坏的，不能简单以蔽之。而且，我仅凭身边几个例子，实在说明不了什么。
留给大家来讨论吧。
