[spotter]

> asked me where I went to college

Political protip: Answer his question. "I went to X University". Because... you did, didn't you?

And if he asks you what you majored in: "I studied Y. But somehow I ended up in this job! hearty laugh".

I have a degree but it amazes me that people who didn't go to college are never able to glide past this one. It seems like the only people who really ever bring up dropping out is the dropout. Only a very special kind of asshole will continue to press you about graduation dates etc.

Having said that,... I have a sneaking suspicion that people who dropped out like bringing it up just to say that they dropped out. You like bringing it up and debating it and then having people "agree" with you eventually, because you seek validation for the decisions you made.

It's called having a chip on your shoulder and the guy who said "oh you seemed smarter than that" was clearly fucking with you cause he's seen it a million times before.

[pixelbath]

I disagree. Why would you claim something falsely? It's possible they wouldn't press further, but it's also possible the person would say "Oh, X University! Was there Z when you went?"

Now, you could go on and tell me about how it's just that easy to make up something else, like, "Hmm, I don't remember that," but I learned a long time ago that making up facts about yourself can easily bite you in the ass. As I've grown older, I generally try to steer away from doing this. Taking the high road and being honest doesn't mean you have a chip on your shoulder.

The only "clearly fucking with" I got out of the grandparent post was the degreed person taking a jab at the non-degreed person, and it's not the first time I've seen a person with a lack of higher education insulted offhandedly that way. It's almost like people with degrees have a chip on their shoulder, or something... (I kid).

Now, to agree slightly with your post, I do sometimes mention that I have no college education (nor did I finish high school). At the same time, I am paid more than many people who do have degrees, but I am limited from many jobs because I lack a degree of any sort. However, I don't try to debate whether my way is better, because I know that learning works differently for different people.

As for validation? You may have a point there, but it's amazing to ME that so many people fail to realize that you can learn almost anything yourself. I don't think it's wrong to be proud that you gained the same (or better, being real-world experience) knowledge that another person had to pay $35,000 to learn.

Please don't think I'm being dismissive of college education though. I miss out on a great many things simply because it doesn't fall into my area of interest (classic literature and ancient history being prime examples). By getting a degree, you ensure that you're at least passingly familiar with the same basics as everyone else.

I do intend to go back to school eventually, but I have very little pressing need to earn a specific degree. If things keep going the way of MIT and free online courseware, I may skip the degree portion and gain personal enrichment without paying an institution for the privilege.

[spotter]

> falsely

Nothing about those answers are false. It's a truthful answer designed to promote good will, not a lie. It's called having social skills.

His inability to play this game got him a stinging insult in front of a bunch of the execs' peers. Way to go dude. I'm just offering advice on how to avoid getting socially "stung", not on how to live your life in general.

> ability to learn anything yourself

I agree, I majored in economics and I'm a search engineer making over 200k. My degree is nearly worthless to me.

[pixelbath]

You're right, they're not false statements.

Maybe it's just that I don't feel lacking a degree is something to be ashamed of or glossed over. It's easy to get defensive when something you do is outside the norm and you get called out for it.

[SkyMarshal]

That may be the case for some, but I know others simply believe in full disclosure. When people ask 'what college did you go to', what they really mean is 'what college did you graduate from'.

Many who didn't graduate simply don't want to misrepresent that, and later be perceived as someone who isn't forthcoming or entirely trustworthy, or who is ashamed enough to withhold obviously pertinent information.

Since they lack the cred of a college degree, their rep is even more important to maintain.

[bradleyland]

So I should have lied about it? And that makes me the one with the chip on my shoulder?

I don't normally bring up the topic of my college decision in business settings, but it was relevant to the topic of the article. Also, in the scenario presented in the anecdote, I answered the college question very casually with, "I didn't finish college." I only argued the point when I was insulted.

[spotter]

> lie about it

Nothing in those answers is a lie or not true. It's just an answer that conveniently avoids getting insulted at a table full of people higher than you in the social hierarchy.

Maybe you just don't give a shit about walking into social boobytraps but to me learning how to speak to command respect is sort of an important part of my personal development.

[bradleyland]

Funny, I hear that explanation a lot from teenagers, and even they know it's a flawed argument. Maybe we just part ideological ways on this matter, but I don't have any problems gaining people's trust and respect through outright honesty.

At the time of the scenario in my anecdote, I was in my early twenties. Since then, my approach has changed somewhat, but I'm never disingenuous with my answers to questions.

I've found that the fallout from offering weaselly answers is often far worse than the results of an upfront disagreement. And even if you do agree to disagree, I'd rather have it happen early on so neither of us waste our time.