How to Show You're
Smart Without Saying a Word: What We Can Learn
From Mimes
by Maury Levine
Some people
say they're smart, some people show it without
using a single word.
Psychology tells us that there are ways to
radiate intelligence not by using words, but by
using non-verbal cues. Comedy has shown that some
of the most proficient users of non-verbal cues
are mimes. In this article, we'll explore ten
ways mimes showcase their intelligence without
having to say a word, and how using their
techniques can boost other's perception of your
intelligence.
1. Practice Active Listening
One of the best ways to appear smart without
saying a word is through active listening. Bend
sharply at your waist and lean towards the
speaker as closely as possible. Open your eyes
wide and raise your eyebrows high. Place a hand
behind each ear and pull the sides of your ears
forward. As the other person speaks, repeatedly
nod your head up and down. This demonstration of
active listening will significantly boost how
others perceive your intelligence.
2. Have Thoughtful Body Language
Having thoughtful body language can also show
intelligence. To convey your thoughtfulness to a
speaker, slowly tap your index finger on your
lower lip as you stare deeply into their eyes.
Place your right hand on your chin, lower your
eyebrows, and frown thoughtfully. When the
speaker makes a particularly good point, place
your fists on each side your head, then snap them
open with your fingers spread wide. This will
express that your mind is blown by what they've
said to you. People will appreciate your
thoughtful and engaging silence.
3. Dress Appropriately
Research studies have shown that dressing
appropriately and professionally can not only
improve your performance, but also influence how
others perceive your intelligence. Straighten
your imaginary tie, with your right hand at the
knot of the tie and your left hand holding the
bottom. Use your right hand to wipe imaginary
dust off of your left shoulder, and use your left
hand to wipe imaginary dust off your right
shoulder. Adjust your imaginary cuff links, smile
confidently, and give two thumbs up. Dressing
appropriately for the occasion can silently
signal your intelligence to others.
4. Stay Calm Under Pressure
Staying calm under pressure displays emotional
intelligence, which is a key aspect of overall
intelligence. Demonstrate that you're trapped in
an imaginary glass box that surrounds you on all
sides: Feel it in front of you, to your left,
your right, below, and above you. Become wide-eyed
with surprise. Knock on the front of the box and
on the sides, then stick an index finger into the
air because you suddenly remember something.
Reach deeply into your pocket and pull out an
imaginary key with your thumb and index finger.
Put the key into the imaginary lock on the front
of the box, turn it to the right, and suddenly
you're able to shake your arms and legs. Using
the back of your hand, wipe the imaginary sweat
off your forehead. Your cool headed intelligence
has paid off once again.
5. Be Observant
Observation is a silent skill that strongly
indicates intelligence. Put your right hand on
your forehead, turn to the right, and scan the
right side of the room. Put your left hand on
your forehead, turn to the left, and scan the
left side of the room. Put your imaginary
binoculars over your eyes and scan the entire
room. When you feel the room is safe, give the
okay sign with your thumb and index finger. You
can draw intelligent conclusions from simply
watching and observing your surroundings.
6. Show Kindness and Empathy
It's said that kindness is a sign of strength,
but it's also a silent indicator of intelligence.
Empathy, to understand and share the feelings of
others, demonstrates emotional intelligence. You
see that someone is about to walk into an
imaginary puddle on the ground. Stop them
immediately with your right palm open to them.
Point to the floor twice. Make a disgusted face,
and mouth, "Puddle," as you point to
the floor three more times. Unbutton your
imaginary jacket. With a flourish, place it over
the imaginary puddle and smooth it out. Signal
that passage is now safe by theatrically bowing
to the person and the covered imaginary puddle.
Your random act of empathetic kindness will not
be forgotten.
7. Embrace Silence
It's a misconception that smart people always
have something to say. In reality, they often
welcome silence. When silence is needed, place
your right index finger over your closed lips and
leave it there. If someone speaks or asks what
you're doing, pull the imaginary zipper lock on
your mouth closed, lock it, and throw the
imaginary key over your shoulder. If necessary,
place your index fingers in your ears, close your
eyes, and shake your head from side to side.
Sometimes silence is truly golden.
8. Admit When You're Wrong
Recognizing and admitting when you've made a
mistake is a sign of emotional intelligence,
maturity, and self awareness, all of which are
signs of overall intelligence. Drop to your knees
and make a sad crying face by opening and closing
your frowning mouth as you rub your fists on the
outer corners of your eyes. Quickly clap your
hands together as if to pray, while mouthing,
"Sorry, sorry, sorry!" Repeat until
forgiven. Acknowledging your mistakes just may be
the smartest thing you do.
9. Maintain a Balanced Lifestyle
A balanced lifestyle involving regular exercise,
healthy eating, and time for leisure activities,
shows you know the importance of taking care of
your physical and mental health. To demonstrate
exercise: Do three jumping jacks, then breathe
heavily with your tongue hanging out of your
mouth as you place your hands on your hips. To
demonstrate healthy eating: Elaborately open an
imaginary bag, daintily remove an imaginary
napkin and tuck it into your shirt. Take an
imaginary tomato sandwich out of the bag, unwrap
it, and eat it by taking four bites from the left
side of the sandwich to the right side. Take your
imaginary napkin and gently wipe the imaginary
crumbs from the corners of your mouth. To
demonstrate exercise: Pick up an imaginary
baseball and toss it up and down three times.
Throw it into the air and hit it with the
imaginary bat that materializes in your hands.
Place your right hand on your forehead and watch
the ball sail away. Pump both of your fists
because you've just hit an imaginary home run.
These demonstrations show that you know the
coloration between a healthy lifestyle and
optimal brain function.
10. Continue to Learn
The most intelligent people know that they don't
know everything - they are lifelong learners,
always seeking new knowledge, skills, and
experiences. Open up the imaginary laptop
computer in front of you. As you frown
thoughtfully at the screen, type rapidly using
all ten of your fingers. Suddenly, stop typing
and pick up the imaginary pencil in front of you
and make research notes on the imaginary legal
pad next to the laptop. Type rapidly again, then
stop and check your research by pointing back and
forth between the computer and the legal pad.
Smile knowingly and stick an index finger into
the air - now you understand. Hold both hands
together and rapidly rub them in circles.
Suddenly, an actual light bulb appears in your
hands. Hold the light bulb over your head and
smile widely. What have you been researching?
Slight of hand magic. The results of your
research will silently demonstrate your
intelligence to the world.
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