Are you

Still think HollyDaze summed it up best.

Especially the first line.

I cannot recall anybody telling me he/she was an intellectual. Must have worked/ studied in the wrong places.

I'm not sure anyone would actually declare him/herself as an intellectual, but have definitely encountered those who like to give the impression their intellect is far greater than the average person and tend to drop clues into the conversation so we all know that. Conversely there are those of great intellect who don't seek to impose "I know considerably more than you" attitude. I guess like any other individual of above/below average intelligence they come in all shapes and sizes. Like beauty, intelligence is often innate, sometimes a gift, could be a disadvantage, particularly if coupled with a lofty, superior attitude and a complete lack of common sense or foresight thrown into the mix. Unfortunately too many of these types enter the political arena. They shouldn't!.

KatyK said she used to work with a lot of self-proclaimed intellectuals, Terribull.

An intellectual is not just being intelligent, but of doing something with your intellect [ie. as somebody said, being a bit of a thinker!]Somebody who goes into the concepts of a subject instead of simply accepting it as fact. Therefore, sadly, I am not an intellectual.

Of course, I could be fibbing, and I could be super-modest, and I could say that yes, actually I am an intellectual of the highest order. We can say whatever we like on here, after all.

You may not believe it though.

Interesting question MiceElf. I suppose I've come to the conclusion that being intellectual means being able to display critical thinking. One who is able to step back and analyse any given problem or issue.

Nothing to be either celebrated nor ashamed of. It's just a way of using the old grey matter. No right or wrong about it.

Being an academic, now that, I think, is different. Still pondering on that.

Yes I agree about critical thinking and perhaps also having a predisposition to apply rational thinking to issues and problems. Of course there are negative uses, intellectual snob, intellectually challenged, but I am not sure that defines the word.
Of course here in France it is considered an entirely positive thing to be, but then in many secondary schools the philosophy department is larger than the maths department.
I think "cerebral" is quite an interesting word too.

www.swarthmore.edu/Humanities/tkitao1/artstuff/intellectual.html
Thought this interesting.

Thank you Atqui, that just about sums it up

So if I do not write anything on here for a couple of days, will you all think I am being intellectual and just thinking?

Yes atqui that picks out more strands.
There are intellectual snobs are well of course which is a different thing. e.g.
Dropping mention of their PhD or their Oxbridge days into conversation every time you see them.
Using long words in conversation where short ones would suffice
Writing in very long convoluted sentences that are difficult to understand
etc
There are some people I know who are bright and successful but have no intellectual interests. My 3 lovely sisters in law for a start. Talk for Britain but not about anything serious (outside work! Some of them must have to in work!).
On the other hand I can often have an interesting conversation with chaps that do non-professional jobs.