How to Act Smart In Front of Your FriendsActing smart in front of friends takes some intelligence, wit and confidence. Say a few words in French, speak with sophisticated words, speak on deep subjects. But most importantly, have fun!

Steps [edit]Speak with confidence. Always give the impression that you know what you are talking about, even if you are making up some of it up. If your friends are talking about something you don't know much about then stay quiet and listen. When you get home look up whatever it is that you didn't know about. Speak in a different language. In French, "Je m'appelle" means "My name is". You say "Please" with "S'il vous plait". Try out different phrases. Talk about quantum physics, politics, and use words such as 'superfluous' and 'ostracize.' Make sure that you consult a dictionary or encyclopedia in order to really understand the words, otherwise you'll appear merely ignorant. Read articles on the internet or in a newspaper that look interesting. A lot of knowledge can be obtained this way. Be sarcastic. Raise your eyebrows a lot. (This can get you called a smart aleck, or grounded if you abuse this in front of your parents). Wit is valued when done well, however. Speak clearly and avoid "uhm"'s and "like"'s (especially while giving a speech). Breathe deeply instead of filling the space with a useless word. Sit in a room full of friends,and just sit and be very quiet, occasionally nodding and smiling. This will let them think that you are observing them and they will act differently. Read quotes by famous people and use them in situations that call for them. Be sure to let your friends know who said that, so they will ponder the thought and think more highly of you by knowing the person who said it.

Tips [edit]When someone questions you, question them in return. If challenged by someone who does know what they are talking about, don't be defensive, rather agree that they have an interesting perspective and that you appreciate the information. Don't be afraid to admit you may be wrong. If someone calls you out on it, and they are irrefutably right, concede, and quickly change the subject. Or use humor to defuse the situation, admitting that you have yet to finish studying that knowledge. It is better to be quiet and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. Use silence to your advantage; people will wonder what you're thinking. Don't brag about things you have that they don't. People love to brag about themselves. so listen and learn to read them from this.

Warnings [edit]Watch out for people who might catch you acting smart. Keep learning and you will actually be smart rather than acting.

Don't make up facts - and if you do, make sure you say something like, "I read it forever ago in a magazine" or something equally vague. Another excellent vague source is "I saw it on the History Channel." Works like a charm. Also, if caught, you can use. "Oh, then I guess he/she/the author/TV presenter was lying or mistaken." Don't say who he/she is.

How to Act SmartYou might be smart, but maybe nobody knows it. The question is, how do you act smart and show that you really do have a pretty nifty brain on your shoulders?

Steps [edit]Ask yourself why you hide your intelligence. Is it because you're shy? Do people belittle you for being smart? Do they often end up imposing silly stereotypes or unfair expectations? If you're feeling self conscious, drill this into your mind: Anybody who tries to bring you down for being smart is insecure. Why should you be a slave to their insecurities? Read in public. There's no reason to hide the fact that you like to read. Read the newspaper. Go to the bookstore, get a cup of coffee, and browse recently published books in topics that you're interested in. Speak your mind. If there's something that you're interested in it, state your opinion or better yet, ask a good question. You want to act smart, not arrogant, and making a statement can sometimes put people on the defensive. The most graceful way to display your intelligence is to gently show your inquisitiveness--ask why and make suggestions!

How to Appear Like a Smart Girl at SchoolThis guide will cover mainly physical appearance. For tips on acting intelligent or increasing your intelligence, please see related articles.

Steps   [edit]1. Cut your hair to a medium length. Studies have shown that medium length hair is

perceived as intelligent 2. If your hair is medium length, you can neatly braid it or put it in a neat looking

bun. No matter what length, you should make sure its clean and neat. Whatever your style, make sure it doesn't take too long to do.

3. Dress in an intelligent looking way. T-shirts with the names of museums on them, shirts with stuff like "Use Your Brain" on them, plain and tailored looking pants, knee-length and above the knee skirts and clean, neat, clean-cut and sensible shoes are all nice. Imitating school uniforms and the clothing of corporate executives also looks nice, but don't do it every day. Avoid trends, dress modestly.

4. Make up should be clean and not excessive or elaborate. No glitter or shine. Imitate the makeup of women in power who look like you. You can also get inspiration off fashion websites that address makeup for working women, and only use makeup in that section. If you don't want to do any of this, then here is a universal makeup scheme: natural looking eyeshadow, one coat of black or brown mascara, red lipstick that suits your coloring and clear nail polish. Make sure your makeup doesn't take too long to do. Nails should always be at the length of a well groomed boy and you can have any color you want but make sure its a solid one. Neat eyebrows are very important. You don't have to wear any makeup if you don't want to.

5. If

you need glasses then you should wear them instead of contacts. Glasses sometimes make people seem more intelligent, especially rectangle and rounded frames. Keep them clean. Thick frames are especially good.

6. Things to always carry: a practical backpack of reasonable size, a good book to read, an address book to put your friends phone numbers in, notebooks for your various needs, some pencils with good erasers, some ball point pens, a hand held manual pencil sharpener that doesn't need to be used over a trash bag, some good erasers, some good eraser caps and a planner.

Tips   [edit] Whatever you do, be yourself. There is nothing smart about pretending to be

someone you're just not. Stick with your look - it's just sad seeing someone try to be smart and the next day completely going back to being "one of the pretty girls". You will totally lose respect.

If you try to use big words - make sure you actually understand what you are saying. Otherwise you'll seem like a fake and everyone will laugh at you. Try learning a new word from the dictionary each day.

How to Act Smart In Front of Your FriendsActing smart in front of friends takes some intelligence, wit and confidence. Say a few words in French, speak with sophisticated words, speak on deep subjects. But most importantly, have fun!

Steps [edit]Speak with confidence. Always give the impression that you know what you are talking about, even if you are making up some of it up. If your friends are talking about something you don't know much about then stay quiet and listen. When you get home look up whatever it is that you didn't know about. Speak in a different language. In French, "Je m'appelle" means "My name is". You say "Please" with "S'il vous plait". Try out different phrases. Talk about quantum physics, politics, and use words such as 'superfluous' and 'ostracize.' Make sure that you consult a dictionary or encyclopedia in order to really understand the words, otherwise you'll appear merely ignorant. Read articles on the internet or in a newspaper that look interesting. A lot of knowledge can be obtained this way. Be sarcastic. Raise your eyebrows a lot. (This can get you called a smart aleck, or grounded if you abuse this in front of your parents). Wit is valued when done well, however. Speak clearly and avoid "uhm"'s and "like"'s (especially while giving a speech). Breathe deeply instead of filling the space with a useless word. Sit in a room full of friends,and just sit and be very quiet, occasionally nodding and smiling. This will let them think that you are observing them and they will act differently. Read quotes by famous people and use them in situations that call for them. Be sure to let your friends know who said that, so they will ponder the thought and think more highly of you by knowing the person who said it.

Tips [edit]When someone questions you, question them in return. If challenged by someone who does know what they are talking about, don't be defensive, rather agree that they have an interesting perspective and that you appreciate the information. Don't be afraid to admit you may be wrong. If someone calls you out on it, and they are irrefutably right, concede, and quickly change the subject. Or use humor to defuse the situation, admitting that you have yet to finish studying that knowledge. It is better to be quiet and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. Use silence to your advantage; people will wonder what you're thinking. Don't brag about things you have that they don't. People love to brag about themselves. so listen and learn to read them from this.

Warnings [edit]Watch out for people who might catch you acting smart. Keep learning and you will actually be smart rather than acting. Don't make up facts - and if you do, make sure you say something like, "I read it forever ago in a magazine" or something equally vague. Another excellent vague source is "I saw it on the History Channel." Works like a charm. Also, if caught, you can use. "Oh, then I guess he/she/the author/TV presenter was lying or mistaken." Don't say who he/she is.

You're Only as Smartas You Appear(SAMPLE DIALOGUES INCLUDED)

By Jenn Stroud Rossman, Ph.D.

The goal behind this painless four-step plan is to seem smarter without having to read any books, listen to classical music, or depend on crutches like word-of-the-day toilet paper. By making a few minor modifications to your behavior, you will give the impression to those around you that you are smarter--not only smarter than you were before, but, more importantly, smarter than they are.

1. Say LessTalkative people rarely seem smart. Think of the adjectives that describe them: chatty, garrulous, loquacious. Garrulous has several meanings, including "given to excessive and often trivial or rambling talk"; loquacious means, in part, "apt to blab and disclose secrets." John Dryden wrote of impetuous youth "who think too little, and who talk too much," who are "loquacious, brawling, ever in the wrong." In fact, you can often say more with a gesture or a nod than an entire paragraph replete with quotations from the mid 17th century.

2. Active ListeningThis step is a natural extension of Step 1. It involves only a small adjustment to your listening style. When listening to another (talkative, hence less smart) person relate an anecdote, you may find yourself inserting a murmur or an "uh-huh," encouraging the speaker without intruding upon what they're saying. Instead, replace "uh-huh" with a brisk nod and the word "sure." Practice this dialogue with a friend:

FRIEND: So, I was at the mall yesterday. . .

YOU: SURE.

FRIEND: . . . and I thought I'd head over to Abercrombie & Fitch. They were having a sale, plus I find myself drawn to their homoerotic advertising imagery. . .

YOU: SURE.

"Sure" serves much the same conversational purpose as "uh-huh," while suggesting that you're already familiar with life's trivialities and do not need to have things explained to you. Once you've become comfortable with "sure" and its usage, you may also substitute "of course."

3. Deflect Literary QuestionsIf a particular work of literature comes up in conversation, you may be asked whether you've read it. This is quite likely to happen once you have implemented the first two steps, because people will have begun to regard you as a smart person and will look to you for affirmation of their own intelligence and sophistication. When asked, reply

in your now-characteristic economical style: "Well, not in English." You may wish to accompany this remark with a slight snort. This will serve the dual purpose of implying that you are, of course, familiar with the work while deflecting any potentially embarrassing follow-up questions about characters or themes by shaming your questioner with your multilingual abilities.

Even if you are familiar with a particular book, restaurant, or law of physics that comes up in conversation, do not rush to share your knowledge. Remember, say less.

4. Sports as MetaphorIt goes without saying that, as a smart person, you should not appear to be interested in sports. However, it is acceptable to be familiar with this or that sport, as long as it's for metaphorical purposes. (See the baseball writings of George Will for examples of this technique.) Here is another dialogue to practice:

FRIEND: So, I think Bill's been seeing that woman from the health food store. You know, Twigs and Berries? So I confronted him about it, and he said I'd driven him to it with my "incessant nagging."

YOU: WELL, THE GROUND CAN'T CAUSE A FUMBLE.

FRIEND: I'm afraid my marriage is over.

YOU: SURE.

Beware of false promises on your path to seeming smarter. Some instructors will tell you that all you need to do is surround yourself with idiots. This is pure snake oil. Like the nonprescription glasses that were fleetingly popular in the early 1990s, the attempt to seem smarter simply by accessorizing is shortsighted. The same can be said for quick fixes like speed-reading or listening to NPR. You deserve a comprehensive program with lasting results.

A Short History of the Scientific Evaluation of IntelligenceIn the 19th century, French surgeon Paul Broca tried to gauge intelligence using craniometry. He measured the length ratio of the radius bone to the humerus bone (the forearm to the upper arm). A higher ratio, or longer forearm, is a characteristic of apes; therefore, he reasoned, a smaller ratio should reflect higher intelligence. Using this criterion, the average intelligence of whites rated below that of several darker-skinned races. Broca quickly switched to a new parameter--cranial capacity--according to which white men ranked higher. By making a correction for stature, he was able to "prove" that the French were smarter than the Germans. Broca later made important scientific contributions--including discovering the brain's speech center--but his craniometry research continues to be highlighted in such distinguished publications as the Web site of white-supremacist bigot David Duke.

In the early 1800s, Philadelphia scientist Samuel Morton tried to rank the intelligence of races according to average brain size. His method involved stuffing the cranial cavity with mustard seed or lead shot to determine the volume of the brain once held by the cavity. Morton's analyses confirmed what most of his colleagues suspected: The American intellectual pyramid had whites on top, American Indians in the middle, and blacks on the bottom. Objective science, working for us all.

A student of Broca's, Alfred Binet, reexamined his mentor's techniques and discovered that measurement error (inaccurate readings, discrepancies between different experimenters' results) exceeded the differences between "smart" and "not smart" specimens. Binet went on to develop a test that measured subjects' abilities to sequence, arrange, and match, then compared the results with a standard for each subject's age. This led to the concept of an intelligence quotient, or IQ, based on the ratio of mental age to chronological age.

The international passion for testing ignited by Binet's work led to the development of many tests with scoring measures based on limited data. For example, tests based on Binet's standards were used by the U.S. Army to rate World War I recruits. However, the questions were based on current events and general knowledge rather than the mental tasks used by Binet. After long periods spent in training facilities and overseas, in isolation from popular culture, the recruits scored poorly, and were further embarrassed when the results were released after the war. As with Broca's and Morton's scales, the testers themselves scored very well.

How to Make People Like You: Secrets of Instant Rapport Nicholas Boothman

Special from Bottom Line/Retirement

f other people like you, the world can be a very wonderful place...

People who like you are eager to help take care of your needs and desires.

Enjoying relationships with other people is a major factor contributing to longevity and happiness.

Some people are naturally able to make others like them. Those of us who are not born with this knack can develop it by applying just a few principles.

YES! I would like to receive Bottom Line's Daily Health News. It's FREE. Four times each week I'll receive your insights to improve my health and wellness. E-mail Address: There's no risk to signing up. Bottom Line's Daily Health News is free. We respect your privacy, and guarantee that we will never rent or sell your email address. And, you can easily unsubscribe at any time. MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION

It takes very little time for people to form an impression of someone they have just met, and that impression tends to stick. A recent study by Harvard University psychologists found that the attitude students formed toward new teachers in just two seconds was essentially the same as the one they held after sitting through the whole course.

Of course, you cannot expect to become everyone’s best friend in two seconds, but if you make the right first impression, demonstrating that you are sincere, safe and trustworthy, you can initiate the building of a lasting rapport within 90 seconds.

PROJECT A “REALLY USEFUL ATTITUDE”

Your attitude sets the quality and mood of your thoughts, which in turn influence your voice tone, the words you use, your facial expressions and your body language. Your

attitude determines the quality of your relationships. When you project a “really useful attitude,” one that is cheery, interested and helpful, other people will want to be around you.

It’s up to you to choose your attitude. When you project the opposite attitude, they will have the opposite reaction.

Very important: Make sure your words, tone of voice and gestures are all consistent. When faced with inconsistency among these three ways of delivering a message, people pay most attention to body language, and then to tone of voice -- and surprisingly little to the actual words.

ESTABLISH RAPPORT BY DESIGN

We like people who are like us, so the key to establishing rapport with strangers is to learn how to be like them. This requires you to deliberately control your behavior to become sufficiently like the other person to form a connection -- at least for a short time.

Look around a restaurant or any other public place where people meet and socialize and compare those couples who are in rapport with those who are not. The ones who are in rapport lean toward one another... adopt similar arm and leg positions... talk in similar tones of voice. In short, they seem to be synchronized.

The quickest way to establish rapport with people you meet is to synchronize with them.

Synchronizing does not mean you are being phony or insincere. Its purpose is to help you put the other person at ease and speed up the rapport that would otherwise take longer to develop. You are not expected to make your movements, tone and voice mimic the other person’s, but just to act with him/her the same way you would if you were already friends.

HOW TO SYNCHRONIZE

Try to start synchronizing within seconds of making a new acquaintance. Five stages of a successful first encounter...

Use open body language. Uncover your heart by leaving your jacket or coat unbuttoned and facing the other person.

Be first with eye contact. Look the other person straight in the eye.

Beam a smile.

Be the first to identify yourself with a pleasant, “Hi! I’m Nick.”

Lean subtly toward the other person to show your interest and openness, and begin to synchronize.

Pick up on the other person’s feelings and identify with him by synchronizing your movements, breathing patterns and expressions. Use your voice to reflect back the mood conveyed by his voice. Don’t copy him clumsily, but notice his posture, gestures, head and body movements and facial expressions and mirror them.

Particularly important: Mirror his voice tone, volume, speed and pitch.

SECRETS OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Get the other person to start talking openly so you can find out what matters to him and synchronize yourself accordingly.

Begin by asking open questions -- those that cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” but encourage the other person to open up and reveal himself.

Key words: Who? When? What? Why? Where? How?

Keep the conversation going by answering a question with another question.

Sensory preferences: If you really want to communicate with other people on their own wavelengths, learn to rapidly figure out their sensory preferences. People view the world in one of three basic ways...

Visuals are motivated primarily by what they see.

Auditories by what they hear.

Kinesthetics by physical sensations.

You can quickly recognize which group people belong to by listening to the vocabulary they use. Examples...

Visuals tend to talk fast, wave their hands, look up with their eyes, dress well and say things like, “I’d like to see proof of that.”

Auditories tend to talk at a medium speed, have melodic and expressive voices, gesture and move their eyes from side to side and will say, “I hear that.”

Kinesthetics tend to speak very slowly and with great detail, look down as they speak, wear textured clothing, and talk about how they feel.

Detecting sensory preferences requires you to pay close attention to others, which in itself makes you a more people-oriented, likeable person. And when you learn how to

synchronize with people using the vocabulary they feel comfortable with, your ability to develop rapport with almost anyone will grow.How to Make People Appreciate and Like YouWhen other people like you, the world can be a very wonderful place. People who like you are eager to help take care of your needs and desires. Enjoying relationships with other people is a major factor contributing to longevity and happiness. Some people are naturally able to make others like them. Those of us who are not born with this knack can develop it by applying just a few principles.

Steps [edit]Project a "really useful attitude." Your attitude sets the quality and mood of your thoughts, which in turn influence your voice tone, the words you use, your facial expressions and your body language. Your attitude determines the quality of your relationships. When you project a "really useful attitude," one that is cheery, interested and helpful, other people will want to be around you. It's up to you to choose your attitude. When you project the opposite attitude, they will have the opposite reaction. Very important: make sure your words, tone of voice and gestures are all consistent. When faced with inconsistency among these three ways of delivering a message, people pay most attention to body language, and then to tone of voice -- and surprisingly little to the actual words. Establish rapport by design. We like people who are like us, so the key to establishing rapport with strangers is to learn how to be like them. This requires you to deliberately control your behavior to become sufficiently like the other person to form a connection -- at least for a short time. Look around a restaurant or any other public place where people meet and socialize and compare those couples who are in rapport with those who are not. The ones who are in rapport lean toward one another... adopt similar arm and leg positions... talk in similar tones of voice. In short, they seem to be synchronized. The quickest way to establish rapport with people you meet is to synchronize with them. Synchronizing does not mean you are being phony or insincere. Its purpose is to help you put the other person at ease and speed up the rapport that would otherwise take longer to develop. You are not expected to make your movements, tone and voice mimic the other person's, but just to act with him/her the same way you would if you were already friends. Synchronize. Try to start synchronizing within seconds of making a new acquaintance. Five stages of a successful first encounter... Use open body language. Uncover your heart by leaving your jacket or coat unbuttoned and facing the other person. Be first with eye contact. Look the other person straight in the eye. Beam a smile. Be the first to identify yourself with a pleasant, "Hi! I'm Nick." Lean subtly toward the other person to show your interest and openness, and begin to synchronize. Pick up on the other person's feelings and identify with him by synchronizing your movements, breathing patterns and expressions. Use your voice to reflect back the mood conveyed by his voice. Don't copy him clumsily, but notice his posture, gestures, head

and body movements and facial expressions and mirror them. Particularly important: Mirror his voice tone, volume, speed and pitch. Secrest of effective communication. Get the other person to start talking openly so you can find out what matters to him and synchronize yourself accordingly. Begin by asking open questions -- those that cannot be answered with a simple "yes" or "no" but encourage the other person to open up and reveal himself. Key words: Who? When? What? Why? Where? How? Keep the conversation going by answering a question with another question.

Tips [edit]Sensory preferences: If you really want to communicate with other people on their own wavelengths, learn to rapidly figure out their sensory preferences. People view the world in one of three basic ways... "Visuals" are motivated primarily by what they see. Visuals tend to talk fast, wave their hands, look up with their eyes, dress well and say things like, "I'd like to see proof of that." "Auditories" by what they hear. Auditories tend to talk at a medium speed, have melodic and expressive voices, gesture and move their eyes from side to side and will say, "I hear that." "Kinesthetics" by physical sensations. Kinesthetics tend to speak very slowly and with great detail, look down as they speak, wear textured clothing, and talk about how they feel.

Detecting sensory preferences requires you to pay close attention to others, which in itself makes you a more people-oriented, likeable person. And when you learn how to synchronize with people using the vocabulary they feel comfortable with, your ability to develop rapport with almost anyone will grow. Fundamental Techniques in Handling People

1. Don't criticize, condemn or complain. 2. Give honest and sincere appreciation. 3. Arouse in the other person an eager want.

Part Two

Six ways to make people like you1. Become genuinely interested in other people. 2. Smile.

3. Remember that a person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.

4. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves. 5. Talk in terms of the other person's interests. 6. Make the other person feel important - and do it sincerely.

Part Three

Win people to your way of thinking1. The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it. 2. Show respect for the other person's opinions. Never say, "You're

wrong." 3. If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically. 4. Begin in a friendly way. 5. Get the other person saying "yes, yes" immediately. 6. Let the other person do a great deal of the talking. 7. Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers. 8. Try honestly to see things from the other person's point of view. 9. Be sympathetic with the other person's ideas and desires. 10. Appeal to the nobler motives. 11. Dramatize your ideas. 12. Throw down a challenge.

Part Four

Be a Leader: How to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing ResentmentA leader's job often includes changing your people's attitudes and behavior. Some suggestions to accomplish this:

1. Begin with praise and honest appreciation. 2. Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly. 3. Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person. 4. Ask questions instead of giving direct orders. 5. Let the other person save face. 6. Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be

"hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise." 7. Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to. 8. Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct. 9. Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.