What kind of question is that?! (Warning: whiny brat thread)

[Kimbers]

I was at my school with my brother because I had to drop something off and he wanted to say hi to some old teachers. I just tagged along because I'm socially awkward like that. lol
Anyway, I don't know most of these people, but if I follow the Pre-IB program into actual IB, I'll have them. One of the teachers asked how I was related to his previous student and I said I was his little sister.
And the first question out of his mouth is "Oh, are you as smart as your brother?"
First of all, if I say yes, what kind of cocky a** am I? So I'm supposed to say no, that I'm pretty stupid?
Another thing, I know the teacher doesn't know this, but I've walked in my brother's shadow academically all my life. In seventh grade, my math teacher told my mom that "she isn't quite like her brother. She's just not as outgoing and I think she gets lost easily."
Um, yeah. Both those things can be attributed to the two years I spent not going to school at all. I was "home-schooled" but things fell apart there and the only real school-related thing I did those two years was read.
Anyway, I'm being a little brat right now and just glad I have a common last name so I don't have more teachers comparing me to my brother.
Thankfully, he's always there to support me. He's actually pretty modest and I think he recognizes a wide variety intelligence, not just the "test smart" kind.

Okay, I'm done being a brat. Sorry 'bout that.

[JessLough]

I have an uncommon-enough last name, especially with pronunciation, that teachers always knew I had to be my sister's sister. Luckily, I've never had anybody say that to me... though I would like to think I would have had the guts to say "no, I'm better".

Luckily, I only had the same teachers as she had up until grade 3, due to school closing and going to different schools.

[puppydog]

That's bull! And I don't think you are being a brat. People are individuals! Just because you are related doesn't mean you are the same.

[Kimbers]

Originally Posted by JessLough

Luckily, I've never had anybody say that to me... though I would like to think I would have had the guts to say "no, I'm better".

I'll have to try that one. XD

[Babyblue5290]

What a jerk. Though I'm sure he *probably* didn't mean it to hurt you, I know how bad that can feel to hear stuff like that!

Imagine growing up as an identical twin. There was no "Ashley" there was only "The twins." For us there was no individualism, it was only the unit. It created a lot of issues between me and my sister that I feel wouldn't of happened otherwise. Mainly the competitiveness, which normally wouldn't be a problem if we didn't feel like whoever "won" was the better person and the "loser" was just a bad copy of the other. I wish people thought about what they say before they say it.

And I would've likely told that guy "Not sure, but I'm pretty sure I'm smarter than you are at the moment." I'm mean lol

[Snark]

I don't think you're a whiny brat, but I wouldn't worry about that question too much. At least your brother is supportive and you can always ask him about those teachers - are they good, bad, interested in their students, etc.

Originally Posted by Babyblue5290

Imagine growing up as an identical twin. There was no "Ashley" there was only "The twins." For us there was no individualism, it was only the unit.

Sis and I are not identical but close enough to confuse people. We were part of a group of friends invited to a dinner party a few years ago and when everyone went to sit down for dinner, the hostess discovered she was short one place setting. She was horrified to discover, in counting her guests, she'd counted my sister and I as one (Teresa, Van, Lane, the twins, Chuck...) We thought it was pretty funny, but our friend was (and still is) mortified.

Sis and I are competitive, up to a point, but never to the detriment of the other. We tend to bask in glow of whichever one does better; it was always more of a 'we' won, 'they' lost mind set. Works for us, because if someone takes on one of us, they're really taking on two and we work VERY well as a team.

[Kimbers]

Originally Posted by Babyblue5290

Imagine growing up as an identical twin. There was no "Ashley" there was only "The twins." For us there was no individualism, it was only the unit.

I've seen that happen to a lot of twins.
I bet it really sucks. I think I'd end up going to a different school or drastically changing my looks (hair dye, different clothing style, whatever).


I'm not worried or terribly upset by what this person said, just confused as to how he thought it was a good first question. You'd assume teachers would have had several siblings come through their classes and quickly realize that they can be pretty diverse.
I have asked my brother about how the teachers are, but nearly half have been replaced! The principal is being told to expand IB program to kids in the mainstream. Any teacher who stands in the way is released, but that's a different story.

[Southpaw]

I have a really uncommon last name... basically, everybody that has the same last name IS actually related to me So if teachers had my brother in class before me, they always knew I was at least somehow related. I had a teacher in junior high that actually went to high school with one of my sisters, and right away on the first day of class he asked me about her (and she then told me he was a real dink back in school LOL).

I wouldn't worry about questions like that. I never take them seriously or perceive them as insults. It's just.... something for them to say, a way to make conversation? Granted, my brother was not that stellar in school so I was never asked if I was "as smart as" him... but I would get asked if I was like him lol. I'd just say "I don't know, guess you'll have to see."

But neither of us ever formed relationships with teachers either. Like, we would never go visit them... they probably wouldn't even remember us... so that helps prevent comparisons too, since they don't really know us.

[Saeleofu]

He was probably joking, I wouldn't worry too much. When you start the program I'm sure he won't even remember it happened.

Good luck in the IB program! I went through it in high school, finished it 6 years ago (there have been a lot of changes since then o.O). It's rough at times, but worth it!