How to Act Smart (even if you feel stupid)

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By twocents
eHow Community Member

Article Rating:

(7 Ratings)

Wouldn't it be nice to seem more knowledgeable about any given topic? With a little practice and these five simple rules, you'll gain the wisdom to socially navigate through a room full of pipe-smoking-elbow-patch-wearing professorial types, without feeling foolish.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Common Sense

Step 1

Play Verbal Hot Potato.
We all remember playing hot potato at birthday parties as kids, but what you may not know is how valuable this game can be when having conversations with new people. (Sorry, it's too late to impress the people that already know you.) This is probably the easiest step of the five. Early conversations with people you barely know and may never encounter again are always a bit awkward and usually sound more like a Q&A session than a conversation. Work with that. When asked a question, answer it, but be brief and concise in your answer. Do not discuss Aunt Edna's extended stay in your guest room, or your kids goings-on. After your quick answer, throw the question back at them, as if it were a hot potato. Never reveal more than is necessary, you're more likely to suffer an episode of foot-in-mouth disease the longer you talk. If this is someone that will become a part of your daily life, there will be plenty of time to gripe about your mother-in-law and your bunions.
Step 2

Two Ears, One Mouth.
There's a reason for this. Always listen more than you talk, especially when you are trying to appear smarter than you are. On the other hand, acting like a social mute will give the impression of ignorance. Rather, let the person talk while you listen attentively. Their words will give you lots of verbal cues and clues. Grab onto a word they have spoken and try to elaborate on that word. For example: if you're lucky enough to have a conversation with the VP of your company and he's displaying his vast wisdom like a pea cock fanning it's plumage, extolling the company's long and detailed history and it's importance in one breath, grab onto a relateable word and steer the conversation back to Earth with one sentence. This takes a bit of practice, but is easily mastered and very valuable.
Step 3

Verbal Virus Be Gone!
Ever listen to a young person speak? You might hear the word "like" before and after every other word. It's tough on the ears. What's more, it makes one look unintelligent and inarticulate. Do not use the words: like, um, welllll, really, I'm all, that's cool...EVER!. Keep these words from infecting your speech. It may be difficult at first, but eventually you will heal.
Step 4

Feed Them Their Ego.
People love to talk about themselves, so let them. This takes you off the hot seat and let's you gauge whether or not you want this person in your daily life, or if you should invoke rule number five.
Step 5

Always Exit First.
There you are, trapped in a one-way conversation that seemingly has no end. Nonsense! Be brave and politely excuse yourself from their verbal monotony. They won't hate you, in fact it may pique their interest further. When you leave them wanting more, it creates a sense of respect, which translates into social intelligence.

Comments

binsrose said

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on 2/24/2008 great aricle,it's really gonna help me,thanks

bmi57 said

on 2/22/2008 I left you a comment on your article and that isn't showing either. I am having problems with my computer, maybe thats what is wron, anyway great article, thanks.

on 2/22/2008 Loved your article, I really needed this information. It derseved a 5 star, which I gave you, but it stayed at 1 rating. Thanks for the great info.