Do you loose respect for someone when you find out they don't have a college degree?

[Anonymous]

And why? I ask because DH doesn't have a college degree but has nonetheless done very well as a business owner. We have a nice house, great neighborhood, and certainly enjoy a very comfortable lifestyle with a lot of international travel, as well as a beach house. Yet, DH said the other day that no matter how successful he is, he thinks people will always lose respect for him when they find out he doesn't have a college degree (it comes up every once in a while and DH is very forthright that he didn't finish school). I disagree and think that most people who actually meet him, get to know him, and understand what he's acheived could probably care less ... but he's very sensitive to it. Most of our friends have at least an undergrad degree so I guess he is not the norm in our social circle, but I also don't think that our friends care - just my impression. Just wondered what others think.

[Anonymous]

No, but I do lose respect for people when they misuse lose/loose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, but I do lose respect for people when they misuse lose/loose.

[Anonymous]

Of course not. Getting a college degree does not mean putting that person on a pedestal.

Like your dh, my brother-in-law does not have a college degree but has great business sense and has 2 successful businesses.

[Anonymous]

Not at all, especially when he's done very well for himself. What I do not respect is when someone discourages their children from getting a degree as they didn't get one and are doing fine so they don't see the need. Many people are successful like your husband without one but why not give your child the opportunity if you can afford it.

[Anonymous]

Most undergrad degrees are stupid (communications, pol sci, english, history etc...) I think those degree holders are morons for wasting 4 years and spending all that money. Fyi I have an engineering undergrad and masters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, but I do lose respect for people when they misuse lose/loose.

My sincere apologies, PP. I didn't realize I was submitting my thesis. Just a Sunday morning and a quick post with a question that's been on my mind. Thanks for your insight and wisdom and snark. You are awesome.

[Anonymous]

I am in the same boat as your DH - successful, very nice income, etc. and I feel similarly. Whenever I tell people that I "only" have my Associates Degree I feel as though I'm being judged. In fact, I'm so insecure about it that I am currently taking night classes so that I can finish my BS even though it won't make me any extra $$ in my career field.

I don't think your DH is overreacting but then again, I'm probably not the right person to ask

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, but I do lose respect for people when they misuse lose/loose.

And I loose respect for people who play gotcha with spelling/grammar with what is clearly a typo on a quickly written post.

[Anonymous]

No, I definitely do not. Neither of my parents have college degrees and they are truly two of the very smartest people I know.

[Anonymous]

No, but I know that sometimes people feel defensive about it nevertheless. And I can see why. Sometimes the discussion about college is just a small talk thing. Oh you went there. Did you like the school? What did you study? What about that football team! Oh that weather. I can see how someone would feel left out.

[Anonymous]

PP, if psychology falls under etc: Thank God for my psychotherapist for pursuing psych as an undergrad. Her expertise has helped me and others change our lives immensely. And, I can say the same for english majors who have published plays/novels that have enriched the lives of legions of human beings all over the world.

We all don't experience life through considering the accuracy of numbers, foremost.

[Anonymous]

I think part of the reason your dh my feel like that is because of his own insecurities maybe?

I myself only have an Associate's, and sometimes when conversing with someone who had longer schooling, it is a little uncomfortable to talk about their experiences vs mine.

And no, I definitely don't care whether someone has a degree or not.

[Anonymous]

I don't lose respect for them but I do see them a bit differently. I know that sounds terrible but you asked and I want to give you an honest answer. I don't come across many people who haven't gone to college. DC is full of very educated people -- most I encounter have some sort of post-graduate degree. If I lived somewhere else, I may not think anything of it. But here, it's surprising.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, but I do lose respect for people when they misuse lose/loose.

PP, you are a jerk. OP, there are a lot of educated fools around, the above PP being one of them. Your DH sounds like a wondetful person and who has integrity and is honest. A college degree does not confer character w