Why is it that when a person says "I don't know"...

most really smart people DO use that phrase

if someone says that often, then when they do tell you something, they probably DO know something about it

I always admired teachers who would say that, instead feeling they had to know everything and would make up some bogus thing

I'm totally with you miami! I've always been the first to admit when I don't know, but also willing to direct you where the answer can be located.
My boss is the perfect example for your conversation. He thinks he knows everything, even when half the time he has no clue what he is talking about. over the years it has led to an overall disrespect amongst his peers, and some clients.

Well, I can probably understand what you are saying from my own take on it. I was a nurse since 1979 until I was disabled. So often people would come to me and ask some off the wall medical question.. like why does my stomach hurt? Or why are my toenails yellow. I'm just being facetious about the question just because I can't think of one really... but it was always a why question. I might say, I don't know, it could be a lot of things... and they go... uhhh well you're a nurse! You should know what's wrong with me!... so what is that about? I'm not a doctor... so in a way I do agree that people will do that sometimes.

I have to say, miamilady, I really like people who say "I don't know". The reason I like them is that I know I can believe them. I like honest people.

I don't believe that most people react as though the person is ignorant if they give a response of "I don't know," miamilady. The truth is that it is a weak response. I recall a teacher I had in elementary school who would not accept that as an answer. You were, in fact, punished if you gave that answer when he asked you a question. It happened to me once and I vowed to learn as much as I could about everything I could in order to not find myself in that position again. It's true that we don't know everything, but there is a wealth of information out there if we are willing to seek answers.

I know alot of people like that and I dont let them get on my nerves. I just laugh at them. God forbid they be wrong about something!LOL To them it would be like the end of the world. Right? Let it go life is too short to worry about these kind people. Be happy enjoy life.

I say I don't know all the time. I do not see it as an admission of being ignorant. It is only the ego that dreads saying I don't know because it does not want to look bad in front of others. Saying I don't know is much better than making up lies. And sometmes what we think we know isn't accurate or complete. If I say I don't know, then I don't care what anyone else thinks of me.

True because only God knows everything! It takes all kinds in this world and none of us are perfect and none of us know everything.

Maimi!! You live!! hehe

I know what you mean. I dont like that either. Im not one bit shy to say I dont know, tell me. Whos getting on your nerves hon?

Bay Lay Gray xx

It depends on what they mean. If someone asks me if I will be able to make it someplace tomorrow, and I say, "I don't know," then that is an acceptable response because something will come up, just as same as if I do not know if I will be able to donate $10 to a charity since it might be that I may need the money for something else.
However if someone asks me where my purse is, and it is right where it has always been and I saw "I don't know," then my ignorance is showing. So to not confuse the issue with will I be alive tomorrow, etc, and know it alls being snobs, I believe my answer shows a good degree of practicality as to what response makes the most sense.