If you want to be classy, forget about buying a Gucci bag or driving around a flashy sports car.
What’s more important is the way you carry yourself and what you’re telling people through your body language.
Here are 10 body language hacks that make you instantly seem genuinely classy.
Smile with confidence
We generally like to think of people who don’t smile as being grumpy and unpleasant. And well, you don’t want to be seen as such so you try to smile.
But there’s a problem with this.
If you simply aren’t confident enough to flash a smile—maybe because you’re afraid you’ll come off as creepy for smiling so much—then people can feel that something is off, and that you’re simply faking it.
when you smile, make sure that you’re smiling with confidence. You can start by practicing in front of a mirror. But do the basics: Smile with your eyes, be firm with your gaze, and make it gradual.
If you don’t know if you’re doing it right, study how confident people (like politicians and celebrities) do it.
2) Move gracefully
Now I don’t mean to say you should move around like you’re a ballerina of some kind. The bar is far lower, and far more realistic—simply don’t act like you’re some kind of bull in a china shop.
Get updates on the latest posts and more from Hack Spirit straight to your inboxe
Relax, slow down, and try to practice restraint whenever you can.
So rather than stuffing your plate full with food and guzzling it all down, take your time eating. Instead of blabbing people’s ears off, slow down and give them the time to catch up.
And be always aware of where your body is and how strong you are so that you don’t end up slamming into people and smashing glasses into tables.
These are obvious examples, and there’s certainly more out there. Just keep in mind that, in general, avoiding rushing through things will give you class and grace.
So unless you’re really in a rush, take your time.
3. Be mindful of your posture
That is to say, stand straight and avoid slouching.
Start with paying extra attention to the times you usually slouch. Do you do it usually when you’re tense at work? Do you do it when you’re rushing something? Do you do it when you’re feeling lazy?
Well then, monitor yourself during those times. Try to put a reminder that you can glance at every so often, or even have a friend or family member call you out when you start falling into bad posture.
Eventually, you’ll get to the point where you simply don’t need to try standing straight anymore—it’s simply become a habit.
4) Lean forward
Leaning forwards towards someone you’re talking to will tell them that you’re attentive, listening, and are not in any way afraid or insecure.
Though keep in mind this is not something you should just apply blindly. Leaning forward a bit too much or when you’re already close together can actually make you seem like a predator.
And this is because leaning forward can also tell people that you’re not shy to take up space, or that you’re even imposing on them.
You don’t want that.
So lean forward towards people, but subtly and not too much. Keep in mind people’s personal space too and you’ll be golden.
5. Cover your mouth
I’m not saying you should act like you’re some noblewoman from the late 19th century (unless that’s your thing, in which case go ahead).
What I mean is that when you’re coughing, yawning, burping, or talking to someone on the phone when you’re not supposed to be, you should try to put some effort into covering your mouth.
This isn’t just something that you should do just because it looks classy, It’s basic etiquette.
Here’s the thing: even if you do all the other tips in this list, if you fail to do this extremely basic thing, you’ll come off as boorish.
6) Make eye contact
There’s a lot you can say—without uttering a word—simply by maintaining eye contact with someone.
A stare can be seductive or intimidating. It can tell people “I’m not afraid of you,” it can also tell people “I need your help.”
And something that I’ve noticed in all my classy friends is that they know how to make and maintain eye contact.
They generally are not afraid to look someone straight in the eye—even if it’s some VIP like the company’s CEO. And when someone stares at them, they’re not afraid to stare back and even smile.
Do this to show you actually value yourself and that you’re not intimidated by anyone. That’s the way to get classy.
Conclusion.
If you aren’t yet the classy person you aspire to be, then you can start by pretending to be one for a while.
People like to say that you should fake it ‘til you make it, and well…these hacks will certainly help you fake it.
Don’t be too guilty for faking it for now—most “classy” people are honestly just normal people behind closed doors.
But yes, you can’t fake it forever, so it would also help a lot if you were to try to actually be classy.
The thing is, it’s not as hard as you think. It’s all about practicing good etiquette, building confidence, and being assertive. Everything will start falling into place once you get the basics down.
