I am a moderately good looking woman. With basic makeup and hair styling, I can make myself look pretty. This is my preferred look when I go out.
Situation:
Meeting new people or acquaintances and having formal/casual conversations.
Scenario : Workplace discussions or casual conversations with people who already know that I dress up well. They dot know if I ever tone down.
Few people assume that I know certain things or topics; could range anything from cooking to finance to politics. When I tell them that I have no idea about it, they usually mock me by saying, "Oh!!! I thought you were an exceptional person with knowledge in that area'. This is rather a polite way, but some people use rather rude, blunt and impolite statements. This is hurtful.
It could even be the reverse. If I approach someone with a query related to my work or any topic that they are experts in (cooking, politics) etc, a few of them retort saying that, 'This is simple. I thought you knew it.' or 'Someone like you should know it' and make fun of me.
Or, it could even be about my personal preferences. One time, an incident occurred in the office and I backed out for reasons known to me. A few colleagues commented 'We expected so much from you' and started laughing hilariously. Though it was not a cowardice act but rather a general human tendency, they projected to me that I am a coward myself and made fun of me.
Scenario : Casual conversations with people who already know that this tone downed dressing is the only me. This happened a mere 2-3 times in my entire life.
In case, I tone down my appearance, such conversations never occur. I get sympathy or sometimes even advice about how to deal with it. But, I prefer my way of dressing and do not intend to tone down anytime in the future. In this case, they are different set of people.
I wondered why should I be a know-it-all and if it not okay to not know everything or anything in this world. After a little thinking, I assumed that probably my kempt persona could be the reason people assume that I have idea about most of the topics, or it could be to prove that I am dumb or it could be to prove that their own assumption about me was wrong. Irrespective of their intentions, those statements do bother me.
Question:
I want to ensure that I do not really get bothered about such statements and I wondered if I could say something in return to them which would make them feel that they were rude or make them realize that I do not have to be a know-it-all.
Something akin to:
I am sorry to have disappointed you. I wish I knew more about it.
I am lost for other kinds of such one or two liners which would make them think twice before making such statements. Can you please guide me with this?
Adding a few links to testify what I am saying. A little google search helped me with these.
Attractive Women Are Perceived As More Intelligent Quoting from https://bigthink.com/elise-bohan/women-have-a-biological-advantage-on-dating-apps
Studies have found that the clothes we wear shape others' perceptions of our capability. https://www.businessinsider.in/12-science-backed-tricks-for-appearing-smarter-than-you-are/Smile-/slideshow/50594755.cms
Attractive people are also seen as more intelligent https://www.wired.co.uk/article/prettier-people-more-intelligent