Yes, you look smarter because it's as if you're saying "Hey, I'm good at this stuff, and I still don't understand it, so there is something that is not obvious here". Most people don't ask questions because they aren't confident enough in their own capabilities. They feel that the thing they don't understand should have been obvious, and don't want to admit thet they don't know. It's another example of the Imposter Syndrome...
On the other hand, I have often noticed that once one person in a group starts asking questions, it opens the flood gates and everyone else starts to get involved. I have a theory that once one person asks a question, it signals everyone else in the group about the skill level of at least one other person in the group, and if they can understand the question and the answer, they now feel that they are at the same level as everyone else - they no longer feel like an imposter.
On the other hand, I have often noticed that once one person in a group starts asking questions, it opens the flood gates and everyone else starts to get involved. I have a theory that once one person asks a question, it signals everyone else in the group about the skill level of at least one other person in the group, and if they can understand the question and the answer, they now feel that they are at the same level as everyone else - they no longer feel like an imposter.