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A display of stupidity yesterday rendered a Communication Studies undergraduate speechless.

Speaking after a briefing on "What Not To Say To The Ex", Nanyang Technological University student Cordelia Shirley said she learnt all she knew from personal experience.

"There is nothing so enlightening as your own disaster," the 20-year-old said, "I used to think I was really smart and deep, but the sheer number of stupid things I have said just do not support that."

The workshop, which will be held over the next week, teaches how to keep silent when there is nothing intelligent to be said, to prevent marring a possibly already marred impression.

"When you feel stupid, the only rational thing to do is keep a good hold on your mouth," Ms Shirley said, "running into the wall after saying something exceedingly stupid only makes yourself feel marginally better."

"It does not erase your immense irretractable idiocy."