It has always been a method of mine to show someone how to do something as if they have no knowledge of the subject at all. Not to make them feel stupid, but to not take anything granted. It was how I was instructed in pedagogically. The philosophy of this is that not everyone knows what you know. Same holds true for things in every day life as well.
My wife works in the veterinary field. Before she and I started dating I really had not thought of the importance of giving my dogs heart worm medication. After it was explained to me of how easy it is to prevent and the repercussions if I don't, it all made sense. Sometimes people just need it "dumbed down". It's not that we are incapable of understanding, it's just that we are ignorant of the subject. Nothing wrong with that. Not everyone knows everything about everything.
I witness the attitude of down grading people because they don't know how to do a particular task on a daily basis. Just because you feel that it is easy and you should be public knowledge, doesn't make it so. If anything it discredits your knowledge.
At one point I felt as those in the "IT" world acted arrogant because they felt superior. Now, I'm not so sure. It seems now that they act in this manner simply to hide the fact that they really don't know as much as they would have you believe they do.
This doesn't just happen in workforce. It happens in recreation as well. I like to ride mountain bike. I am no big time racer but I can ride pretty well now. For some reason, people tend to forget that they were not always as good as they are now. When these people meet someone less skilled than they are on the trails, it seems to be custom to force them off to the side of the trail. No need to call out to someone that is not of the same caliber as you!
It just seems that if everyone would take a second and think about it, it would make sense to them as well. Just remember, there is no need for arrogance. Someone else can do just what you do and probably do it better. And just because I don't know about a certain situation or do not have a particular skill, doesn't mean that I am inferior.
Take care.
