“I don’t profess to be profound; but I do lay claim to common sense.” ― Emily Dickinson

Let’s explain Common sense. It is the ability to use your judgment and make decisions based on what’s best for you. No further discussion is required. Right? Wrong.   

“Common sense is not so common.” ― Voltaire

Some people aren’t very good at thinking about consequences before taking action. They tend to rely too much on the input of others or the information they are exposed to on a daily basis rather than using their judgment, experience, and logic. In today’s blog, I will highlight ten unmistakable signs that someone may be lacking in the common sense department. So let’s get started.

One: People lacking common sense believe everything they hear without question. If you think about it, most people who lack common sense don’t even realize they do! Unfortunately, they believe everything they hear or see on the news or what people tell them. Even if it sounds outright ridiculous, they don’t ask questions or look into things themselves, and this can be dangerous in a world full of lies, half-truths, and propaganda. After all, it’s easy to get sucked into wrongful information quest if you don’t know how to discern what’s true and what is not.

Two: They have trouble thinking critically. Critical thinking is analyzing information and drawing conclusions based on evidence. Someone who lacks common sense has a hard time grasping even simple concepts. They may contradict themselves and often can’t explain why something doesn’t make sense to them. Such individuals also tend to jump to conclusions and act impulsively before considering all the potential outcomes. They make decisions based on other people’s reactions and emotions rather than logic, which can result in poor choices.

Three: Their ideas are habitually illogical. If someone is trying to convince you of something and their argument is confusing, disjointed, and incongruous, this indicates that they lack common sense. Without the ability to reason and act with good judgment, they may misinterpret information, develop unrealistic explanations, and make assumptions not based on reality. Those who lack common sense also tend to rely on superstitions or extreme beliefs to make sense of their world.

“Your sense of judgement could use a dash of common sense.” ― Susan Ee

Four: They see things as “Black and White.” When someone lacks common sense, they may be stuck in a black-and-white mindset. They believe everything has to be one way or the other without alternatives. People like this cannot grasp multiple “Shades of Grey” — Dan Carlin ((Well worth the listen; it offers an interactive view of our world)). They won’t consider any other option or acknowledge that people might have different perspectives. This can make it hard for them to understand and see eye to eye with others.

Five: They are unable to come up with solutions to problems. A lack of common sense can also be evident in how someone approaches problem-solving without a basis of sound judgment. They come up with solutions that don’t make sense or are impractical. If you’ve ever had to deal with someone like this, you know how annoying it can be since they cannot recognize patterns. It usually just leads to arguments, frustration, and general confusion.

Six: They won’t seek help or direction when they need it. A lack of common sense can lead people to avoid seeking help or advice because they would rather not admit that they don’t know something or need guidance. Additionally, individuals like this often overestimate their knowledge and underestimate a situation’s complexity. Thus, they may be less likely to recognize when they’re over their heads. They need help making it even less likely that they will reach out.

“The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense.” ― Thomas A. Edison

Seven: They make the same mistakes over and over. If you are a close friend, family member, or coworker of someone who lacks common sense, you may have noticed they make the same mistakes repeatedly. This can be frustrating, especially if you’ve tried to explain why their actions are inappropriate or harmful. It might seem like they just aren’t listening to you, but in reality, they don’t understand what causes the unfavourable results of their actions, so they persist in their behaviour.

Eight: They are incapable of understanding sarcasm, humour, or irony. If you find yourself conversing with someone who does not get your jokes or can’t decipher the meaning of sarcasm, then either your jokes suck, or the other person may lack common sense. If it’s the latter, then it’s because they cannot make the cognitive connection between what is being said and what the speaker is implying. They take it at face value and don’t understand the underlying message.

Nine: They talk about inappropriate topics. Those who lack common sense may talk about problematic issues because they are unaware of the social norms and expectations for the environment they happen to be in. They may not understand that specific topics are considered inappropriate or unacceptable in some social settings, like in public or in front of children. When it comes down to it, there are certain things that we’d rather not discuss in some situations, and if someone isn’t following this rule of thumb, then chances are good that they lack common sense.

Ten: They choose to be ignorant. People who lack common sense often choose to be ignorant because they don’t want to take the time and effort to learn and understand the information available. It could be because they are afraid to confront the truth or feel intimidated by the facts. They may also be influenced by their biases and thus more likely to ignore or dismiss the facts. As a result, they frequently make decisions that can negatively impact them or others around them.

It is important to remember that common sense is not always a given. While some people may be born with a higher level of it, it can also be developed through life experience. Spotting someone lacking common sense can allow you to better navigate conversations, situations, and relationships. It can help you be more mindful of the advice and opinions that you offer and even help someone develop their own common sense.

Buyers beware! Don’t hire a seller (a real-estate mindset); hire a personality who exemplifies common sense. Hire a human capable of understanding people and markets and can disregard personal gains.

—Brian Nadon