Ten smart ways to look clever

1. Subscribe to an online ‘word of the day' service and wise up some - that's expert advice.

2. Never run out of questions! In the words of sociologist Larry Kersten, "There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots."

3. Always imagine you're playing Marlon Brando's character in The Godfather. With that confidence, now you're the man who knows it all. 

4. When conversations veer towards foreign territory, steer them towards the topics you master in and flash your fortes. 

5. "Keep quiet!" In the words of Abraham Lincoln, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." 

6. In the course of a conversation, pick something you know about (however little) and pretend to have a strong opinion about it. 

7. You may want to go to an optician and get thick-rimmed glasses. 

8. Add random letters to the end of your name and you'll look as though you have years of additional education and certification. Which looks more impressive: Joe Blow or Joe Blow MBA, L.L.B, NCAA, SCUBA? 

9. Volume works wonders: The one who talks loudest, usually sounds like the authority on the subject. 

10. Ever tried putting your hair in a bun? I've heard it works no matter what your gender is (that better be a last resort though).