questions for the clever

friends, how often do you hide the fact that you know something? it can be polite at times to listen to someone's story and not reveal that you already know the secret they're about to reveal. however, it's probably a bit worse when you pretend ignorance just because you're trying to seem a little more normal. i was talking with a coworker about a humorous promotional stunt done by the founder of a european company. i know his name, and almost didn't say it, because i didn't want to sound like a nerd. however, i still acted like i didn't know how to pronounce his name or like i was just guessing what his name really was. thinking back, it is kinda sad. i think there are moments when it's important to back down and not be insufferably smart, but i wonder if a lot of people do this too often.