Obviously, the easiest way to appear to be smarter than you actually are is to do such tasks as study, attend lectures, and travel the world. However, if you have an event coming up and there is no time to cram a year's worth of economic lectures in your head, you have to go with the alternative. Here are some tips on how to look smart without actually doing too much work.

Wear Eyeglasses

It probably seems cliché to say that wearing eyeglasses makes you look smarter, but they actually do. A study by the British College of Optometrists found that 43 percent of participants believed that wearing eyeglasses makes you look smarter. In situations in which you need to appear smarter, such as a job interview, wearing eyeglasses could possibly be the difference between getting the job or being passed over. 

Use Your Middle Initial

Introducing yourself with the inclusion of your middle initial can make a difference in how people perceive you. According to one study, the use of middle initials had an impact not only on the perception of a person's intelligence, but also status. Former presidents, such as John F. Kennedy, George W. Bush, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, are some of the famous people who have opted to use their middle initials with favorable results. 

Expand Your Vocabulary

Since you have very little time to make your self seem smarter, reading through the dictionary to expand your vocabulary is out of the question. However, learning a few key words that you can sprinkle throughout your conversation is easy. The addition of words, such as didactic, ennui, and paradoxically can not only enrich your conversations, but also leave everyone believing you are an intellectual giant. 

Be Calm and Confident

When you talk fast or always the first to speak up, others around you might perceive this as a sign that you are less intelligent. However, if you take your time, remain calm and speak with confidence, you can sell anything to your audience. If you are faced with answering a question that you do not know the answer to, simply state "I do not know" with confidence. Floundering around for an answer can detract from the image you are trying to project. 

Even though actually being smart is a good thing, looking the part never hurts. Little steps like the ones above can take you a long way towards projecting the image that you want others to see. If you're particularly interested in trying the eyeglasses way, visit Spectacle Shoppe, Inc.

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