In a recent discussion with a group of graduate and undergraduate students in mathematics, we came to the following conclusions about how to respond to those who tell you “I hate math”, which can seem like a real conversation-stopper if you do math all day
1) Keep in mind that people probably don’t hate math– They hate the tests they did poorly on and the algebra homework they had to do in high school. So you might – gasp! – agree with them that you weren’t that keen on high school math either but that there is more than that. Then you can elaborate.
2）尝试在不使用“定理”，“算法”，“微分方程”等单词的情况下告诉他们一些很酷的数学。制作一个mobius strip并将它切成两半！或者让他们“欣赏”的数学，因为即使他们不喜欢这样做是什么 - 指出了数学在电影业的角色（避免谈论金融）。
3) Ask them to think about the strength of the word they are using, and whether they really do actually “hate” math? Did they have a bad experience in a math class? Do they have any idea what mathematicians DO?
4) Ask them what they do all day, and then quickly say “Oh I HATE that!” Ok, just kidding!
6) Speak about your love of mathematics and how it relates PHILOSOPHICALLY to other aspects of your life.