How To Make People Think You're Smarter Than You Really Are

Smile more. In one study, participants who were asked to guess a person’s intelligence simply by looking at their picture rated those who were smiling as smarter than those who weren’t smiling.

Don’t use an unusual word if a simpler one will suffice. People who use long words unnecessarily can be perceived as less intelligent because it makes them look like they’re trying too hard to sound smart.

Wear navy blue. One study indicated that people in dark blue are assumed to be more knowledgeable, successful, and dependable than those wearing other colors.

Do more listening than talking. People who do are perceived as being intelligent and interesting by the people who are blathering to them. Remember this proverb: Better to keep quiet and be suspected a fool than to open your mouth and confirm the suspicion.