Rude to ask someone their level of education ?

[JC1]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Is it rude to ask someone their level of education ?





It doesn't bother me.

I've come to the realization that some people have more degrees than a thermometer, but they might not have street smarts.

One of my favorite quotes, "Common sense ain't that common."

 

[edwardh1]

Originally Posted By: raaizin
Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Is it rude to ask someone their level of education ?

Why would you need to know this in casual conversation?


agree. I think its rude to ask

 

[cptbarkey]

I have interviewed enough people to basically ignore claims on educational background, it is mostly chaff versus real life experience.

 

[IndyIan]

The only time I ask is when I meet someone with a really interesting job, and they never seem to think its rude of me and I think its more of a compliment that I'm interested enough to ask?

 

[SeaJay]

IMO it is roughly on par with asking someone how much money they make.

I don't do it.

 

[Sonic]

I've always thought it was rude when first meeting someone for them to as a question like this. Or actually it's more like a, "So, what do you do for a living?" type of question. In a nutshell they are trying to assess what your education and income level would be. Rather than get to know YOU they base their first opinion of you on your job title. Usually your job will tip someone off as to whether or not you have a degree beyond a high school education. But that's also an assumption on their part. Of course if you were in a situation where you may be talking to a future employer then I can understand a question about your education or experience. But in every day life I find these types of questions to be no one else's business.

 

[Mr Nice]

I think during this install, the guy didn't know if he was from IT Dept or cabling contractor, etc..

 

[sxg6]

I think it's rude, absolutely.

I could see how it could go both ways I guess, but I would never ask someone their level of education. Just like I would never ask someone how much money they make..

Originally Posted By: Sonic
I've always thought it was rude when first meeting someone for them to as a question like this. Or actually it's more like a, "So, what do you do for a living?" type of question. In a nutshell they are trying to assess what your education and income level would be. Rather than get to know YOU they base their first opinion of you on your job title. Usually your job will tip someone off as to whether or not you have a degree beyond a high school education. But that's also an assumption on their part. Of course if you were in a situation where you may be talking to a future employer then I can understand a question about your education or experience. But in every day life I find these types of questions to be no one else's business.


I have always hated the "so what do you do for a living" question.. I agree with you.

 

[javacontour]

Maybe a more interesting question is to ask someone how they got to where they are in their vocation or whatever it is.

I.E. tell me about your becoming a teacher/firefighter/network engineer/ or whatever.

The answer may be more interesting than learning they have a [censored]/MS or PhD.

 

[totegoat]

I'm still enrolled in the school of hard knocks and rough corners. Barely passing.

 

[fdcg27]

Context is everything, but in general it would be rude.
I know some folks with graduate degrees who are quite modest about it as well as some who insist on introducing themselves as "Doctor Xyz".
Those who have been through grad school are not necessarily more competent or brighter than those who haven't. There are also plenty of fake degrees that can be bought at all levels.
I tend to judge people by what they do, not by what I know of their education.
Unless I'm interviewing someone, in which case I already have an application and resume detailing their education, I have no need to know what level of education they've completed.

 

[Eddie]

Maybe a better question is what is the degree in. I met one fella who frequently said he went to a major Midwest university. In talking with him, I suspect all he ever did was walk across the University grounds on the way to a bar. We just let him think we believed him.

 

[Rick in PA]

I'd be uncomfortable with that question. There's two exceptions. One is where there's a technical reason, for example during a job interview. The other is during casual conversation when the subject drifts to educational experience and all parties are comfortable discussing the subject, for example comparing life history.

 

[SR5]

I work at a university, and I often ask people what field they are in, e.g. geology, chemistry, metallurgy, biology, etc as it helps me work with them. But rarely would I ask their level of education. The exception was today, as I'm helping organise a conference, and I needed to know what title to put on the conference web page, as he was an invited speaker. In Australia, we are not big on titles, so he just said, "use my name without any title".

I'm happy to ask "are you a entomologist ?"
But not happy to ask "what is your level of education?"

 

[Silk]

There is a reverse snobbery here, finding someone who went to a worse high school than you. My mother was just happy that we went to highschool, both my parents never got the chance, they were working by 13. My 4 kids can't play the game, they never got the chance to go to school at all.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: SR5
In Australia, we are not big on titles, so he just said, "use my name without any title".

In first year biology, our prof was an MD, of all things. She spent the first ten minutes of class making sure we understood forms of address for academia.

 

[SR5]

Originally Posted By: Garak
Originally Posted By: SR5
In Australia, we are not big on titles, so he just said, "use my name without any title".

In first year biology, our prof was an MD, of all things. She spent the first ten minutes of class making sure we understood forms of address for academia.

Yeah, we've got somebody coming over from McGill, let's just say their bio is kept well up to date.

 

[Garak]

I'm not sure about other universities, but the ones here make darned sure they list all a professor's degrees.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: Garak
I'm not sure about other universities, but the ones here make darned sure they list all a professor's degrees.

It is common here for the above practice.

The best example I can personally provide was two Arizona State university professors(husband and wife) auguring while intoxicated with two Police Officers about the Officers education and they were very proud to be-little us common folk without Doctorates and Masters degrees. The female then proceeded to kick one officer in his gonads. This was due to they both disagreed she should not be cited for trespassing on private property. I recall their profession it was in Humanities and the particular field is how to peacefully interact with other socialites. I guess obeying the law does not apply on how to peacefully interact with the lower forms of humanity.

 

[Garak]

I'm sure the education was terribly useful while in handcuffs, too.