Being "smart" is simple, it requires listening, and feeling, and marrying the two behaviors. People love to talk about themselves, so in conversation, you don't have to think of anything cool to say, just be willing to listen. How do you listen you ask? Simple, you repeat verbatim, the last word the other person emphasized or put emphasis on. Again, you have to listen to the person, and we all know how hard it is to do such a simple task. However, if you do listen for, and repeat verbatim the word(s) they put emphasis on, the conversation will continue. It will continue for as long as you wish. I can't stand listening to other people and wish they'd just get to the fucking point so I don't use this exploit much, unless I'm trying to get into a girls pants.