Is it insulting? I've always been called "hard-working" at work, but never been called smart....

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Raaii · 22-25, F

It happens to me all the time
They call me donkey, bar light etc and I just try to not take their words seriously
But I feel bad
I think I should improve myself
But there's a limit to everything
None of us are perfect
But there should be a barrier tht none should cross
And some people will criticize you no matter what
Sometimes I feel they're just intentionally targetting me
Sometimes I think they're concerned about me
But no they don't help me to correct myself all the time
They just like to criticize
I'm sorry
I think everyone of us are smart differently
no need to undermine
I hope you'll feel better
And even so don't take such insults seriously 🙇‍♀️

JimboSaturn · 51-55, M

Working hard is being smart. Being smart doesn't mean you will be good.

DrWatson · 70-79, M

I am a college mathematics professor.

I remember, years ago, two of our graduating seniors were applying to graduate school. As I recall, they actually decided to go to the same one.

One of my colleagues was talking to me about the letters of recommendation we were writing. He said that he thought Student A was much stronger mathematically then Student B, but if he had to place money on which one would successfully complete a PhD in mathematics, it was Student B.

And he was write. Student A was bright but undisciplined. Student B was disciplined and hard-working.

And that is not an insult. Student A dropped out of grad school. Student B is now a mathematics professor.

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Queendragonfly · 31-35, F

I think it depends who says it. From the professor it was clearly an insult. But I know many including me who complement people by saying they are a hard worker. To me it means you care about your job and you take responsibility and are ambitious and not afraid of challenges.