My partner tries to impress people with useless pieces of knowledge (remember Cliff on Cheers?). He's not doing it to be funny but people think he's trying to be and it makes for awkward moments. He's being serious but they don't know how to take it and start laughing. They're essentially laughing at him. He's genuinely trying to share his knowledge but it does come across as a know-it-all or even sarcastic sometimes. I know him so I know what he's trying to do. They don't so it's weird. Any advice?
Well, what IS his purpose though? You say "impress" but what does that mean? Is he actually trying to educate them or enlighten them or make himself look smart? Some people just talk for the sake of breaking the silence. How and when does he do it? Does he interrupt people and start rambling off information? Does it come when there's "dead air" and he feels that someone should say something -- anything?
This isn't about shaming him or asking him to stifle his passion for learning. It's about bridging the gap between his intent and how his words land. When someone drops a seemingly random fact, especially if delivered with a serious demeanor, people naturally look for the "punchline" or the underlying motive. When there isn't one, or when they misinterpret it as sarcasm or an attempt to dominate, awkward laughter – or even genuine annoyance – can be the unfortunate result. They're not laughing at his knowledge; they're laughing at the moment they don't quite understand.
Have a conversation with him. Frame it from a place of support, not criticism. Point out that sometimes in social settings, people don’t quite get hid intention and how you've seen their reactions that present an awkwardness in the moment.
Perhaps encourage him to check for a natural segue into the conversation. "That reminds me..." or "Speaking of which, did you know...?" can make it feel less like an abrupt interjection. Suggesting he gauge the room first – are people engaged in a lighthearted chat or are they ready for a tangent? – could also be helpful. Sometimes, simply asking "Would you be interested to hear an interesting fact about that?" can invite engagement rather than dropping a fact bomb.
For your part, you can be his silent social ambassador. When you see him about to launch into a "Cliff Clavin moment," a gentle touch on his arm, a shared knowing glance, or a quick, quiet word like "Later" can subtly redirect him. Or, if he's already spoken, you can gracefully clarify: "He really does love learning about these things, doesn't he? It's one of his fascinating quirks!"
At the same time, if he's not bothered by how people react to him this might just be about you and not anything he's doing. Are you worried people look at you weirdly because you're a team with him? Is it a reflection on you?
Honestly, he might be socially awkward and there's nothing wrong with that, but this sounds like more of a you issue than a him issue.