i don't know
We are taught by schools, employers, and society to think fast. That the ability to give the right answer on the spot is a sign of smartness and competence. And because we chase the grades, the jobs, and the admiration, we've played along. To never appear answerless — not without shame, at least.
It's all made up.
Life doesn't really work that way. We don't work that way.
We can't have an answer for everything all the time. Even if we feel like we do, our first response is rarely the best one. It's likely just some outdated memorized script from somewhere in your past. You probably have no idea where it came from or whether it's even true in the first place.
I know you'd like to appear smart, but trust me: think through your answers and opinions first. Challenge and test them. Make sure you truly believe in them before you release them to others.
It will take more time and effort.
You won't appear so smart to some.
But you'll give way better answers and advice to the people around you. You will have better opinions and more valuable insights.
You will be smarter.
Can you name a more underrated response?
I don't know. Let me think about it.