Well, Isn't That Special

As the perennial Podunk pontificator, the late (great) Jerry Clower, once remarked, "There are many people who have been educated beyond their intelligence."

I think - given my career(s) - it's a safe bet I don't fall into that category... (one of) my problem(s) is that I enjoy using "big words". At my age (and shape), the majority of my time spent exercising is focused on the grey muscle between my ears... to see if I can "stretch" the matter. Otherwise, the only aerobic activity I get is either "jumping to conclusions" or "pushing my luck".

Now, I'm not attacking elitists... okay, maybe a little; but, I'm focusing on those who (in the words of the Apostle Paul) should "...not think of himself more highly than he ought..." (Rom.12.3.kjv).

With that being said, yes, the lion's share of those falling into this gaggle are (in fact) elitist - at least, given most the people I come into contact with. I have friends who could walk with Jagger's swagger and tout a mouthful of gobbledygook following their surnames - but, those folks are found few and far between the scores of others.

But, more to the point...

Dealing with those "enlightened individuals" in a down-to-earth way can be fun. Here's some tips I use...

1) Call them by their first name. While irksome to most, there have been other (better) people who've insisted their team members, employees, congregations, et al, to keep relationships "familiar" in every setting - these folks, I'd follow to the ends of the earth (i.e. Bethune).

2) Save and use their contact info without all the alphabet soup. (monologuing:) I know you went to school for eight years to get that degree, I know you wrote a book, got published and received the prestigious "whatchamacallit" from "wherever"... but it'll save me some typing, so "there"... I win.

3) Get to know the lowly and meek who (have to) work with them. I find that I can get a great deal more accomplished if I deal with those who make these guys (and gals) "look good"... and, if it serves as the latest example of how dependent I may not be on them, within a larger barrage of life lessons, so be it.

4) Use opportunities to cajole them out of their comfort level. My favorite - yes, I should not take such delight in it (Pro.24.17.esv) - is inviting someone to a meeting concerning topics out on the periphery (if not altogether outside) of their skill set, just to let them know that the world would still revolve around the sun if they weren't there to "make it so" (apologies Jean Luc).

5) Feign a little ignorance when recalling that person's name in front of other elitists. Now I'm not saying to belittle them - we don't assassinate characters of those not present to defile themselves - but, when referring to an absent elitist in front of another in the same field, you pause... snap you're fingers and grasp at the proverbial air for a name that escapes your tongue - all in an effort to play "fill in the blank" with your audience. When they blurt out the honorific title, last name and any/all of the alphabet-soup which follows, you affirm them by saying something akin to, "Yes, good old Joe." (This isn't as effective over the phone as it is in person, trust me.)

I'm not saying these suggestions are an iron-clad "cure all", and those who think too highly of themselves will inexplicably stop levitating long enough to shake your hand and genuinely express their gratitude for bringing them back down to earth. (No guarantees - written or implied - no 90-day money back, no C.O.D.'s, all sales are final.)

But, perhaps, in my old strange ( and sad, even) little way, I am helping others who may have read the second chapter of Philippians and may (inadvertently) find themselves feeding this "elitist mindset" by thinking more highly of others than they (themselves) ought?

We'll see, said the blind man.