"I really wish I was as *insert positive adjective* as you..." Gee thanks...

[Erana]

So, I got one of those comments again today.
I'm sorry, but what am I supposed to say to that? I mean, I apply myself in school. How the Hell does that prove or disprove anything about actual ability or intelligence? I mean, are they trying to make me feel bad, or are they making excuses for their own shortcomings?
It can't be a genuine compliment, can it?
There are two different types of gifted: the talented people and the people with outstanding drive and diligence. If they aren't naturally talented, they can work hard. And from what I've seen, the naturally talented often don't learn to apply themselves, making them fall behind those with extraordinary perseverance, in whatever activity these people are doing.

And considering the people at the Escapist, I bet yall've also gotten these sorts of comments. What do you do about it?

(Oh, and could this get moved? I somehow put this in the wrong forum section.)

 

[Eldritch Warlord]

Positive pronoun? Perhaps you mean adjective?

 

[Tattaglia]

I once got an "Effort" and a "Citizenship" award. It basically means I'm nice, and I tried.

Gee, thanks Principal Davies.
... you prick.

 

[Avatar Roku]

So, I got one of those comments again today.
I'm sorry, but what am I supposed to say to that? I mean, I apply myself in school. How the Hell does that prove or disprove anything about actual ability or intelligence? I mean, are they trying to make me feel bad, or are they making excuses for their own shortcomings?
It can't be a genuine compliment, can it?
There are two different types of gifted: the talented people and the people with outstanding drive and diligence. If they aren't naturally talented, they can work hard. And from what I've seen, the naturally talented often don't learn to apply themselves, making them fall behind those with extraordinary perseverance, in whatever activity these people are doing.

And considering the people at the Escapist, I bet yall've also gotten these sorts of comments. What do you do about it?

Yep, I fall into the "naturally talented" category, which really turns out to be a disadvantage. As in, I have no work ethic, and I don't think I've ever studied for a test. Right now, as a matter of fact, I'm on the Escapist in order to procrastinate.

 

[Erana]

Positive pronoun? Perhaps you mean adjective?

Erm... Yes. I am not gifted wit h teh english.
And how did this get into gaming discussion? *facepalm*

 

[Skilen]

It has happened to me before too, usually upon inspection of my grades. It does put an awkward gap in the convorsation, though.

 

[Lord_Of_Plum]

I usually play it off as a joke. I'll probably say something along the lines of "Yea, I know."

But if fake pretentiousness isn't your cup of tea, then just smile and say "thanks!" or say something like "Oh, I'm not that good..."
But there is no perfect answer. I've tried to come up with something better than above, but I can't.

 

[Corven]

If it counts in the comments box on most of my report cards, it always said, attentive and courteous, all I every did in class was did my work and kept quiet, or read a book, which I did almost every day of my high school career, I guess this counts too, someone once said that I read more books that month than they have in the past 3 years.

 

[Monkfish Acc.]

I dislike teh complimentaries. I used to get picked on whenever I did something good, or smart, so that's what I'm used to. Now, all of a sudden, I'm getting things like "I wish I was as smart as you" and "I wish everyone was as nice as you". I find it extremely unnerving, and I wish people would stop. People who top me by ten years should ignore me, and people my own age should call me a tosser, or something to that effect. This especialy applys to strangers. It's the way things were meant to be.

 

[gmer412]

So, I got one of those comments again today.
I'm sorry, but what am I supposed to say to that? I mean, I apply myself in school. How the Hell does that prove or disprove anything about actual ability or intelligence? I mean, are they trying to make me feel bad, or are they making excuses for their own shortcomings?
It can't be a genuine compliment, can it?
There are two different types of gifted: the talented people and the people with outstanding drive and diligence. If they aren't naturally talented, they can work hard. And from what I've seen, the naturally talented often don't learn to apply themselves, making them fall behind those with extraordinary perseverance, in whatever activity these people are doing.

And considering the people at the Escapist, I bet yall've also gotten these sorts of comments. What do you do about it?

Yep, I fall into the "naturally talented" category, which really turns out to be a disadvantage. As in, I have no work ethic, and I don't think I've ever studied for a test. Right now, as a matter of fact, I'm on the Escapist in order to procrastinate.

Ditto. Stupid french quiz tomorrow.

 

[DoW Lowen]

So, I got one of those comments again today.
I'm sorry, but what am I supposed to say to that? I mean, I apply myself in school. How the Hell does that prove or disprove anything about actual ability or intelligence? I mean, are they trying to make me feel bad, or are they making excuses for their own shortcomings?
It can't be a genuine compliment, can it?
There are two different types of gifted: the talented people and the people with outstanding drive and diligence. If they aren't naturally talented, they can work hard. And from what I've seen, the naturally talented often don't learn to apply themselves, making them fall behind those with extraordinary perseverance, in whatever activity these people are doing.

And considering the people at the Escapist, I bet yall've also gotten these sorts of comments. What do you do about it?

(Oh, and could this get moved? I somehow put this in the wrong forum section.)

In high school, my reports had always consisted of the same thing. A well above average mark with the comments "excellent understanding of the work" and "could try to apply himself more" had littered every page.

In university, I still do well but somehow, for lack of a better word, the dumb asses whose sole argument in class is "many people are average" sometimes gets better marks than me. Talent can only ever get you so far, it's not that talented people have no work ethic, it's just they are satisfied enough with a slightly above average mark and they are so use to doing well enough to get by they don't bother pushing for the extra mile. It's not a matter of talent, it's a matter of drive when you leave your high school life. The thing that sets everyone apart, whether naturally intelligent or hard working is AMBITION. If even a hard working person does not have ambition, they will have only as much success as the talented person and vice versa. Those with ambition will do better regardless of there skills.

 

[JRCB]

I'm naturally smart-ish, but if I apply myself I do better (obviously). Nobody ever compliments me on my work, though. : (

 

[olaffub42]

When it comes to school there is such a thing as naturally smart, but when it comes to pretty much everything else, like instruments even gaming, everyone needs to work just as hard, at least in my opinion. I guess I am naturally smart, which can actually be a bit of a disadvantage like orannis62 said, it ruins my work ethic it everything else too not just school.

 

[PersianLlama]

I would consider myself naturally talented, which has caused me to have a bad work ethic. However, recently I've begun to actually study and put effort into my classes.

 

[Bored Tomatoe]

So, I got one of those comments again today.
I'm sorry, but what am I supposed to say to that? I mean, I apply myself in school. How the Hell does that prove or disprove anything about actual ability or intelligence? I mean, are they trying to make me feel bad, or are they making excuses for their own shortcomings?
It can't be a genuine compliment, can it?
There are two different types of gifted: the talented people and the people with outstanding drive and diligence. If they aren't naturally talented, they can work hard. And from what I've seen, the naturally talented often don't learn to apply themselves, making them fall behind those with extraordinary perseverance, in whatever activity these people are doing.

And considering the people at the Escapist, I bet yall've also gotten these sorts of comments. What do you do about it?

(Oh, and could this get moved? I somehow put this in the wrong forum section.)

That's me right there, for some reason, I have a void where my motivation should be, I frankly just don' care about anything.

 

[Erana]

Accept the compliments you get. Some of us only get glares.

EDIT: Yes. Even my shitty art makes people hate me.

Oh, don't worry. I have plenty of people treating me like a freak, and from what I've seen of your art, you have a unique look, which means that you have an artistic instinct, which means that you're more of an artist than half the people I see majoring in it.

And despite my giftedness, I'm a horribly slow writer. You should look into early admissions.

 

[Erana]

Anyway, I think you take things way too seriously Erana. Seriously.

So, what happens if I say that I really hate when people tell me that?
Anyway, when I bring something up, I don't necessarily take it as a blow to the heart. I was just wondering if anyone had any insight on the matter.
Everything, every action has a meaning.

 

[pha kin su pah]

Sarcastic version - "try harder"

Non sarcastic version - "oh its nothing... *blush*

Note* isn't this supposed to be in off topic?