# What little tricks can you do that mildly impress others? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 14, 2017, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948 "2017-06-14T16:42:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948/21 "2017-06-14T20:52:31Z")
I can cock up one dubious eyebrow. :dubious: For the life of me tho, I can only do it on one side. I find it fascinating, fascinating and a little frustrating, how completely unable I am to move my other eyebrow in the same direction. Like not even a little bit. Actually, when I concentrate on cocking my left eyebrow, I inadvertently end up cocking my right. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948/22 "2017-06-14T21:01:05Z")
It’s not really a trick. I’m fluent with Gregg shorthand and use it daily to take notes of instructions and messages from people at work. It always gets a double-take because youngsters have probably never even heard of the skill before. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948/23 "2017-06-14T21:24:32Z")
I once made a friend laugh so hard he passed a chili bean out his nose. We both thought that was a rather impressive trick. It’s not something I do regularly tho. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948/24 "2017-06-14T21:36:23Z")
I can play blindfold chess. I used to be able to play two games simultaneously, but it’s down to one now (as I’m 64.) ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948/25 "2017-06-14T21:47:38Z")
I can independently move most of my muscles around. Rolling my stomach muscles from side to side and up and down, make my shoulder blades stick out, most all my muscles will work independently. When I was younger I did a lot of strength type maneuvers. I could climb stairs on my hands, climb 20 foot high ropes very quickly, do super fast push ups, most anything strength related. When the military came to our school for fitness evaluations, they told me I fell into the 1 in 10,000,000 category and possibly higher. I never liked or participated in sports or worked out. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948/26 "2017-06-14T22:32:24Z")
I used to amaze my kids by making a box of kleenex disappear, one sheet at a time. It requires the person to actually be sitting right next to you while you do it, of course. ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948/27 "2017-06-14T22:55:10Z")
I can make musical notes by rapping myself on the top of my head with my knuckles and adjusting the pitch of the sound by opening or closing and shaping my mouth. I usually play “Mary Had A Little Lamb” that way to entertain small children. They love it. I usually start by playing MHALL by slapping myself on the cheek with my mouth open, then do the head knuckling bit, and close out with my piece de resistance, nostril music. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948/28 "2017-06-14T23:04:18Z")
I can shed like a mofo. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948/29 "2017-06-14T23:52:01Z")
I did the rubber band trick a long time ago, forgot entirely about it until now. I can do several card tricks but one I’ve done one often enough with a well developed routine that it impresses people. I can juggle three balls, and two balls one handed (no not that, two objects with one hand). I can pick locks and crack safes. Not cold cracking safes, I need access to the safe when it’s open a la Feynman, but I was doing it to government safes like he was before I knew he did it. I can’t do it anymore but I used to do a standing jump onto a table. Most people can, it just looks impressive, especially at my size, which necessitates a pretty sturdy table. I can remove the end of my thumb and re-attach it, and shove a pencil up my nose and pull it out of my ear 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948/30 "2017-06-15T00:31:05Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#): > > 3.14159265359 The nice thing about a _bar trick_ is it’s in a \*bar… \*not a hotbed of critical thinking. So once you get past ten digits of Pi? Just start making 'em up. Somehow, no one even notices that I slip in 8675309 and other strings of numerals (with my face all scrunched up like I’m really concentrating…). ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948/31 "2017-06-15T01:19:59Z")
I can wiggle my nostrils, and my ears: simultaneously even. Sent from my XT1635-02 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948/32 "2017-06-15T01:37:18Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > …they told me I fell into the 1 in 10,000,000 category and possibly higher. So you and just 31 other guys in the U.S. :dubious: mmm ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948/33 "2017-06-15T01:48:14Z")
Pull my finger! ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948/34 "2017-06-15T02:05:44Z")
I can: [ul] [li]Wiggle my ears[/li][li]Wiggle my scalp[/li][li]Balance on a barrel or log and walk along, rolling it[/li][li]Jump on a pogo stick[/li][/ul] Clearly a super-talented person :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948/35 "2017-06-15T02:13:32Z")
I often use my hands interchangeably. My water glass or coffee cup is often on my left side. I typically use a fork in my right hand. I sometimes use my left. I never know which hand will hold my roll to bite. It has bothered my dates before. Maybe co-workers, but they don’t say anything. I have two hands. Why not use both? ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948/36 "2017-06-15T02:19:59Z")
I can make the sound of one hand clapping. That is not a joke. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948/37 "2017-06-15T02:22:18Z")
I can roll my tongue downwards. (I read somewhere that fewer than 1 person in 1,000 can, and decided to try it.) 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948/38 "2017-06-15T02:23:15Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I also know my driver’s licence number. Not so handy in bars, but when I get asked for it occasionally people are amazed that I happen to know it. (15 digits.) For some weird reason I know my REI membership number by heart–it always seems to impress the cashiers when I rattle it off. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948/39 "2017-06-15T02:32:20Z")
I can crack my elbows like knuckles. I also can do a sideshow trick…make half my face smile and half frown. [![](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5089/5311721284_fccd4232b5_z.jpg) ](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5089/5311721284_fccd4232b5_z.jpg) (face shown not mine) ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948/40 "2017-06-15T02:36:49Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I can roll my tongue downwards. > > (I read somewhere that fewer than 1 person in 1,000 can, and decided to try it.) > > 🆒 And now all of us reading this just tried it. And, nope. Sent from my XT1635-02 using Tapatalk [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-little-tricks-can-you-do-that-mildly-impress-others/788948.md?page=3)