Disclaimer: The wording of this question makes it very difficult for me to give an answer. Too many peope resent the use of the word “smart” because it makes them feel demeaned. The actual “meaning” of scoring high on a conventional I Q test is still under debate.
I have been a member of Mensa for the last 37 or so years. I have met 1000’s of other members, not just the few that some other Jellies have. Mensa membership is currently around 60,000, and I can assure you that they come from all walks of life, and include both socially inept and socially very ept. In fact, in my experience the ept ones outnumber the others by a very large percentage.
As with any social club run entirely by volunteers, the advantage you get out of it will be propostional to the amount of time and effort you are willing to volunteer to bring to the club your talents and abilitites.
People who join the club looking for someone else to provide them with an “experience” are bound to be disappointed. People like myself, who join to see where they can help build an enjoyable experience are far more likely to be happy there.
I met two of my husbands in Mensa, and I have lived with several other members in a shared living arrangement. Yes, we formed our own Mensa commune. We also had some of our household Mensa members drop out of the club because they weren’t satisfied with it. It’s not for everyone – there’s no denying that.
I am also a member of the Society For Creative Anachronism, as are many other Mensa members. In fact, Mensa has between 50 and 75 special interest groups organized by people who wish to meet with others who share their interest in photography, raising farm animals, riding motorcycles, building models, writing, programming, gaming and such.