# How to seem smarter than you really are **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 15, 2010, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-seem-smarter-than-you-really-are/546746 "2010-07-15T04:03:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-seem-smarter-than-you-really-are/546746/1 "2010-07-15T04:03:28Z")
1. Ask questions rather than make statements. 2. Listen to what people say, and ask more questions based on what they say. 3. Repeat. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-seem-smarter-than-you-really-are/546746/2 "2010-07-15T04:07:18Z")
That’s interesting; can you tell me more about it? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-seem-smarter-than-you-really-are/546746/3 "2010-07-15T04:12:00Z")
[Basic Instructions - How to Seem Smart](http://basicinstructions.net/basic-instructions/2007/9/9/how-to-seem-smart.html) ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-seem-smarter-than-you-really-are/546746/4 "2010-07-15T06:02:46Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > 1. Ask questions rather than make statements. Why? > [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > 1. Listen to what people say, and ask more questions based on what they say. Why? > [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > 1. Repeat. Why? Oh, sorry, that is how to seem two years old.:o ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-seem-smarter-than-you-really-are/546746/5 "2010-07-15T06:11:03Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > 1. Ask questions rather than make statements. > > 2. Listen to what people say, and ask more questions based on what they say. > > 3. Repeat. Oddly enough, in addition to making you seem smarter, this often a smart thing to do. When you don’t understand what’s going on, you ask questions. It can even be beneficial to the discussion, because a question can lead someone who _does_ understand the problem to a new approach. Even dumb–or rather, basic–questions can expose unspoken assumptions and other holes in a chain of reasoning. ---
**Author:** ![Al\_Bundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-seem-smarter-than-you-really-are/546746/6 "2010-07-15T12:29:09Z")
As my mother used to quote from somebody, “Better to keep your mouth shut than speak and let everybody know you are stupid.” Asking questions and getting answers is a good thing only when the questions are well thought out. A knowledgeable person quickly learns how unsophisticated a person’s information base is when a simple question is posed. It’s best to study something before asking so you can build on your base. On the other hand, if you are willing to expose your lack of knowledge, getting started with simple questions may be seen as very positive. So if you are applying for a job, study up and ask well calculated questions based on firm knowledge of the company. In a social group of scientists (when you are not), ask the simple questions that come to mind and learn something new. ---
**Author:** ![Crawlspace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Crawlspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crawlspace)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-seem-smarter-than-you-really-are/546746/7 "2010-07-15T13:39:17Z")
Nonsense. I’ve gotten along just fine combining arrogance with wit and passing it off as intelligence, thank you very much. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-seem-smarter-than-you-really-are/546746/8 "2010-07-15T13:53:53Z")
You can use the trick that dumb as dirt celebrities use when they want to appear to have an intellectual side. Wear some glasses. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-seem-smarter-than-you-really-are/546746/9 "2010-07-16T08:39:35Z")
> [@Al\_Bundy](#): > > As my mother used to quote from somebody, “Better to keep your mouth shut than speak and let everybody know you are stupid.” The version I’m familiar with is “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-seem-smarter-than-you-really-are/546746/10 "2010-07-16T09:10:47Z")
Learn the trick of learning attentively but somewhat casually. Put the speaker in the position of feeling that they are saying something indeed very important, and you’re glad they’ve finally grasped that point, as if they’ve gained your attention as a promising student you may consider mentoring. Don’t say much except the occasional “indeed,” but at key points raise either one or both eyebrows as appropriate, give an occasional knowing smile and perhaps purse your lips in thought once or twice. If the conversation flags, give it a little push with a broad but shallow leading question, like, “now, have you considered what this might mean for global warming?” It’s like cold reading. If the subject seems doubtful of their own point, let your face show either encouragement or skepticism, depending on what you want from the relationship. When s/he hits upon her major point, let your face show appreciation and a bit of surprise, letting them feel pleased that “I can be intelligent too!” Meanwhile, of course, you may not have the slightest idea of what the hell they’re talking about, or even follow their language all that closely. No matter. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-seem-smarter-than-you-really-are/546746/11 "2010-07-16T11:00:35Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > 1. Ask questions rather than make statements. Cite? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-seem-smarter-than-you-really-are/546746/12 "2010-07-16T12:03:54Z")
I’ve known a few people that obviously ask questions just to seem engaged, and its pretty clear that they both aren’t really interested in the answer and have a kinda tenous grasp to whats being said. Of course if you understand whats being said enough to ask smart seeming questions and are actually interested in the discussion, thats not a problem. But you have to be smart to do that, so its kinda circular. Think your better off with the fake pair of glasses. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-seem-smarter-than-you-really-are/546746/13 "2010-07-16T13:22:02Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > Meanwhile, of course, you may not have the slightest idea of what the hell they’re talking about, or even follow their language all that closely. No matter. Just like college, except you get to pay good money for the “privilege” and then bad things end up on your “permanent record” to boot 🙂 Somewhat related to the topic, the movie “Being There” with Peter Sellers playing the main character Chauncey Gardner is a good example of how to seem smarter. One of my favorite low key movies. And while Sellers plays the part quite well, its not one of your typical Sellers movies. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-seem-smarter-than-you-really-are/546746/14 "2010-07-16T13:39:55Z")
I’ve never actually wanted to seem more intelligent then I am . I don’t really see the point. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-seem-smarter-than-you-really-are/546746/15 "2010-07-16T14:10:11Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > 1. Ask questions rather than make statements. > > 2. Listen to what people say, and ask more questions based on what they say. > > 3. Repeat. This is also useful advice for when you want to make a point but don’t want to go to the trouble of finding a cite. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-seem-smarter-than-you-really-are/546746/16 "2010-07-16T14:24:58Z")
My advice: If you want to seem smarter in person just act like you are. Seriously, if you act like you know what you’re talking about it is really easy to fool people. Now, it won’t work with someone who’s smart in whatever you’re talking about but it will easily work around people you can bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-seem-smarter-than-you-really-are/546746/17 "2010-07-17T19:34:53Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > 1. Ask questions rather than make statements. > > 2. Listen to what people say, and ask more questions based on what they say. > > 3. Repeat. Points 2 and 3 only work if the questions you ask demonstrate that you understand what the other person is explaining to you, which essentially is the same as genuinely being smart (enough for the purpose at hand). If your questions are irrelevant or clueless, you won’t seem smart.