Anyone else ever observe this.

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Friday afternoon, history class, the final class of the week for me. My class starts at 12:40pm. At 12:55 a person walks in late, the same person who has walked in at 12:55 since the start of of the semester.

Well, my history professor had noticed it too and proceeded the yell at this person infront of the class for being late everyday and that if he walked in late again he was going to be kicked out of the class.

This person then promptly apologized to the professor, and after having said absolutely nothing in the previous two weeks, proceeded to raise his hand to try and answer every question the professor asked.

For some reason, this kid's suck-up gig worked charms on my professor and he was more than glad to call on this guy for answers and opinions.

If I had been the professor I would have been more enraged at the fact that he was trying to suck-up to me.

Unfortunately old chap, sucking-up is a very efficient and effective way of getting ahead in an NT world. I have seen many similar instances to the one you describe and it enrages me every time..... How can anyone be so stupid as to be seduced by such transparent attempts to win favour? It works every time though sadly......

Is sucking up superficial? Yes, but in some ways, sucking up is actually a good thing. Let's say you screw something up with someone else. How do you make up for it? By sucking up. If sucking up weren't an option, then what would you do? Actually my parents always taught me to suck up to my teachers and other adults...and it works.

I do this, myself, though not for the same reasons, exactly, as I've never gone in late consistently to class or done anything like that.

I tend to screw up - a lot. I am very accident prone, and I also take teacher's instructions the wrong way. Sometimes I just have a bad week, and end up bringing some horrible work in because I couldn't do anything else. When things like that happen, I feel the need to make up for it, so that the teacher does not think I am stupid or slacking. It's just a way for me to reassure my teacher that I was not deviating intentionally or that I am actually capable of doing things.

On the other hand, it is unlikely that I would do anything that is out of character to impress someone. For example, if I never raised my hand in class, I would not raise my hand in class after screwing up- I'd probably just try to write a knock-out paper or do a really good piece of art, because those are the areas in which I feel I am stronger, and where I would like to prove myself.

The basic idea is "show it, don't say it." People are less inclined to believe your words than they are your actions.

I am actually bewildered by the professor's weird behavior. Since the person comes 15 minutes late every time, it would be logical to assume that this person may have an important reason that interferes with their punctuality (such as other duties). The professor should talk to that person privately, and threaten the expulsion only if the person failed to produce a reason for being late. Yelling in front of class suggests that the professor took the matter emotionally and could not control himself.

The professor really cares about the well being of his student. Such a professor will never discourage a student from participating in the class.

It is supposed to be an environment that fosters learning, not inhibits it.