When you don't understand something, do you admit it?

You know when you're talking to someone and you can tell they don't understand or know what the heck you're talking about? I know that person, it used to be me. If someone was talking about an author or a political topic I was clueless about, I'd just nod my head and try to find a way to switch subjects. I still do this on occasion, but now I usually make it a point to 'fess up or ask questions when I'm lost. 

I experienced a good example of this about a year ago when I was in a room with a group of people learning how to use a new content management system. It was obvious that one girl wasn't quite catching on because every time I asked a question, she would quickly repeat part of what I said as if it were her own. For example, Me: "So can we use both formats on this system?" Her: "Yeah, both formats?" Like, it wasn't even a full question. She did it several times–it was pretty funny. I did feel badly for her though—she didn't learn what I had a while ago: Trying to disguise ignorance will only showcase it.

I can empathize though; I still struggle with insecurities about not feeling smart enough.

Click here to learn about the most random word I know. And here to see what I think about intellect snobs.

Tell me: Have you ever pretended to understand something even when you were totally clueless?

How smart are YOU?

I don't know if it's universal or just a New York thing, but everyone seems to be obsessed with how smart you are. I've been in plenty of interviews where editors continuously reinforced how smart their staff is. And I know people who are just flat out intellect snobs--people who never quite warmed up to me because they weren't sure if I was smart enough to be in their circle. (It's time to get over whatever hangups you have from high school, k?) It sounds quite ridiculous as I type this, but it couldn't be more true.

Admittedly, I am not textbook smart. (Give me a map test of the United States and I might not get a 100%. A map of Europe? Let's not even go there). But what I am is people smart. Street smart. Ideas-generating smart. I don't know...just...Ellen-smart.

I try to keep up with the news and read the issues of TIME and The Economist scattered around Luke's apartment, but after one or two articles, I usually reach for the week's issue of InTouch.

When Luke and I had just started dating, he invited me to trivia night at a bar. I was terrified. Unless it was pop culture night, I knew it wouldn't be pretty. I conveniently got to the bar really late, just as he was finishing.

Yes, this is an insecurity of mine, but all in all, I'm very comfortable and happy with who I am. Of course I like to be surrounded by intelligent people who I can learn something from, but I'll take a genuinely good person who I can laugh my ass off with over someone with a high IQ any day.

Click here to return to the homepage.

Does anyone else ever feel this way? Come on, 'fess up: What's been your biggest "Jessica Simpson" moment to date?