Smart Ass

The two roommates shared an aversion to smart asses, but for different reasons. Raj saw smart ass behavior as a cover for ineptitude and indifference. "Smart asses act like they do because they know they have nothing, know nothing. They know if they address an issue with any seriousness, they'll be exposed immediately. They conflate snark with sophistication, cynicism with intelligence. I've got no time for them, because they have nothing to offer me." Clem had no respect for smart-ass behavior either, but perhaps because he lacked Raj's self-confidence he was clearly more deferential to smart-asses. Rather than ignore smart-asses as did Raj, Clem would try to match their seeming intelligence -- and, when he failed as he often did, retreated back in silence, not out of respect but temerity.