Ideal partner: Smarter, dumber, or about on your level?

[Shuswah_Noir]

I like someone equal or more intelligent than I am. I have a very hard time even being in a room with people who are noticeably less intelligent than I am, let alone getting into a relationship with them -shudders at the thought-
Someone more intelligent than I am tends to keep me alert and can keep my attention for a lot longer. I love learning new things, no matter what topic it is (though I have a hard time on politics). For example, I'm currently learning to juggle, and I've been reading a lot of philosophical debates.

 

[Emz]

My boyfriend is better at different subjects than I am and vice versa. It makes us fairly even I'd say and we usually depend on each other to fill in for the other's weakness. I wouldn't care if he was better at everything as long as he wasn't arrogant about it though.

 

[DanielDeFig]

Considering most of my social time is spent in intellectual, political and philosophical debate, i don't tend to handle non-intelligent people well. I don't have any friends of lower intellectual level, and i don't think i would ever be attracted to a woman of lower intelligence. Both friends and love interests of a higher intelligence is something i'm not against, i see it as an opportunity to learn something new.

 

[badgersprite]

It doesn't matter to me that much. I've had a range of academic/measurable intelligence in my partners. I've never dated anyone I consider dumb, though; the people I'm attracted to are typically quick-witted, creative and very into their fields of interest.

When it comes down to it, I think I like my partners to know more than me about something, be it something academic like psychology, mathematics, or philosophy, or something a little more everyday like music, art, fashion, or computers. I like being able to learn and experience new things. I don't need to bore people with my dry law school shit. I'd rather they show me their knowledge, even if it's just showing me how they cook or taking me to dance classes or whatever.

I like feeling like I'm on the same level in a relationship. I'm just not a dominant person. And I think I would be really frustrated if I was dating someone I couldn't have an intelligent conversation or debate with...

 

[Mr Cwtchy]

At least my intelligence, preferably smarter. I tend to screw things up a lot, so having someone there to help me out would be a Godsend.

 

[latenightapplepie]

Define smarter and dumber. Because those are pretty vague terms, I've found.

 

[Tilted_Logic]

Intelligence is a fickle thing, hard to define without going into specifics but I'll try to stick to generics I find people that can be considered 'dumber than thou' but are sweet as can be generally fall into the friend category. They can be irresistible with their kindness and charm, but personally I prefer someone with a mentality that provides me a challenge.

I've never really thought of the people I date as smarter than I, just more knowledgeable in different areas; which is what makes the relationships great. Someone that can combat my intellect with their own and teach me along the way is divine.

Long story short, I suppose I prefer people on par with my intellect or smarter so I can learn from them.

 

[Gmano]

On my level... then again I'm in college and have yet to meet a woman that I can (without a doubt) say is smarter than me, not that I think women are dumb, it's just that intelligence varies quite a bit day-to-day (for women it may vary +-4 points in a month!) and thus I can't say for sure I'll meet one who is smarter than me in every capacity.

That said, my current girlfriend has better marks than me in every subject... yet insists I am smarter than she is.

 

[Gekkeiju]

Definitely on the same level or above. Im a straight-A-takes-extra-classes-for-fun kind of person, and ive dated the less smart sugar coated type. But then i just get annoyed when they spend every night out getting drunk, failing their driving tests multiple times and failing the same year at college twice over.

Oh wait..that was just that one guy...
grr.

 

[Nexus4]

Hmm...

Don't care, to tell you the truth.

As long as they have commonsense and understand logic, that's all I need.

This, common sense is so goddamm hard to find nowdays :|

 

[rutger5000]

Dumber of course easier to take advantage of.
Nah seriously as long as lack of intelligence does not severely cloud her judgment on things, then I don't really mind.
But I would prefer a girl who is intelligent, so you can have a serious discussion about stuff. Wetter she is more intelligent then me or not, does not really matter to me.

 

[EeveeElectro]

Smarter than me. Which is not exactly hard to find, I think a rock has a bigger IQ than I do.
Smart men are sexy. (Stephen Hawking? Yes please).
Personality is more important, but personality and intelligence go hand in hand.

My Captcha says 'pornhub.' LOL.

 

[Zannah]

Well, I daresay I've found my ideal match, and while I consider myself to be on the smarter side of things, I by no means compare to him. But then, I am a bit on the submissive side, at least with him.

 

[x0ny]

Hard to say, my gf's smarter than me in some aspects, but I'm smarter than her in other areas. Kinda like Intel vs AMD processors.

 

[Palademon]

I like them the same level, that way I can just be myself without having to either dumb down or trying too hard. Plus it makes it easier for them to understand me and my thoughts.

 

[Alien Mole]

I'd have to say smarter or just about the same. Actually 'just about the same, but maybe slightly smarter' or more practical (they usually are) or more socially apt would be nice (I'm not calling myself a social retard, I just tend to approach social situations as mathematical problems I solve based on experience rather than... well, social situations)

I don't think I've ever met more than one or two potential partners who were significantly 'smarter' than me purely on a brain-power basis (i.e. IQ-wise) but I do know several that I've been academically or intellectually impressed with and those tend to be the ones I fall for. I'd actually say that I use relationships as a form of self-development.
For example, my last relationship really improved my work ethic as she was significantly more driven, cultured and (I'll admit it, mature) than I, and lived up to her (quite darn amazing) potential a lot more than I did. She's not necessarily smarter than I am, but I certainly was intimidated enough to have to up the ante on my end and live up to that. It's certainly made me a better person, and it's shown me that relationships are a fantastic means (for me, at least) to actually get me to make an effort. Heavens know I need that.

But yeah, I either need to be challenged when it comes to my strong suits or complemented when it comes to my weaker ones. If there's no potential for personal growth in a relationship, I can't imagine myself avoiding boredom past the initial stages of being in love. So either smarter or just as smart but better at other things would be my answer.

 

[Dexiro]

Intelligence isn't a massive factor for me but if they're too smart I might find it a little intimidating, it's not nice feeling stupid

I do like to have somewhat intelligent conversation occasionally too, so I wouldn't want them to be completely backwards.

So I suppose they can be smarter or dumber, as long s it's not too extreme.

 

[moretimethansense]

Somwhere around my level preferably, I don't mind someone a bit less intellegent than me but I can't stand stupid, stupidity(from anyone) makes me rage hard.
As for smarter girls I find them to be very sexy, but I'd always feel like they can and should do better than me, I'm kinda insecure that way.
I'm also the naturally dominant type, but I'd rather have a submissive that's on my level intelectually, it's just my preference.

But the real question you should be asking, "SHOULD SHE BE ABLE TO BEAT YOUR HIGH SCORE!?!?"

Yes!
God yes!
Especially if she snarks you about it, give me a cute, smart, snarky gamer girl that likes being tied up and you have my perfect girl right there!

 

[AK47Marine]

Well that's actually an interesting question, my fiancée and I are on a similar mental level but in varying ways. She's better with sciences and math, while I'm better with verbal/written expression and what she usually sums up as just "history". So while we're both about the same mentally, excel at different things, so not matching each other beat for beat but complimenting the other's weakness with the other's strength.

So.... yeah I prefer that, not exactly in your original question OP but I think I'm close enough to the mark.

 

[theevilsanta]

My significant other is smarter than me in a lot of ways. I'm smarter than her in a few ways. I prefer at least as smart. Smart girls are so much better . I think it's the confidence or something.