How Likable Are You?

By: Raj Chander
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
How Likable Are You?
Image: Justin Lambert / DigitalVision / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Have you ever noticed that some people just have the "it" factor? It's hard even to describe. It's not that they are just really great-looking (although they might be) or great at starting conversations – these people seem to have that intangible quality of charm, charisma, or whatever else you want to call it.

It makes life much easier for them, and to be honest, it also makes life easier for the people around them – no one likes dealing with an arrogant jerk who doesn't respect people. But talking about these traits doesn't really solve the mystery of what makes certain people so darn likable.

While we may never find the full answer, we can look to human evolution for a good chunk of it. Thousands of years ago, back before we had supermarkets and convenience stores on every corner, humans lived in groups as hunter-gatherers. One segment of the group would be responsible for finding food, while the other would create tools and clothing and help prepare the food. Each person's role in the group was important, but there was a caveat: if you were disagreeable, unhelpful or generally annoying, you would be kicked out of the tribe and forced to fend for yourself. And in case you were wondering, a prehistoric human didn't have very good odds taking on a sabretooth tiger in a one-on-one fight.

So how long would you have lasted in one of these prehistoric groups? And what do the people in your life today think of you? By the end of this quiz, you'll know exactly where you stand. 

You walk into a room full of new people who you don't know. What's your first move?
Put on a big smile and strike up a conversation with the first person I see.
Walk over to a place where mingling will happen naturally, such as the line for food.
Just hang out by myself for most of my time there.
Identify the nearest exit and walk through it ASAP.

Advertisement

How often do you try new restaurants?
About once a month
As often as I can – at least once a week.
Never
Usually, I don't unless I'm meeting people there.

Advertisement

You're invited to a party where you won't know anyone. How do you respond?
I wouldn't even answer the invitation.
I would say I had something to do that day.
I would force myself to go and meet new people.
I would definitely go, I love those scenarios!

Advertisement

The people around you speak to your interactions with others. What is your social circle like?
I've got a few friends, but not a lot.
I have some acquaintances with a handful of really close friends that mean the world to me.
I think I've got a friend or two.
Large and varied – I have a lot of good friends.

Advertisement

Love lives say a lot about us – how many romantic relationships have you been in?
More than six
Three
One
I've only been on a few dates.

Advertisement

You probably wear your social skills on your sleeve – what's your outfit of choice?
T-shirt and jeans
Sweatpants and a hoodie
A collared shirt and nice jeans
A blazer with khakis

Advertisement

It's been a long week of work and you're ready to relax. What's your go-to activity?
Taking a long nap
Reading a good book at home
Hanging out at home and texting a few friends
Heading to a local bar with friends to catch up and exchange stories

Advertisement

What's your favorite color?
Orange
Red
Purple
Black

Advertisement

Likability is a characteristic like many others. What would you say is your best trait?
I care about people.
I enjoy my own company.
I'm a good listener.
I know what I want.

Advertisement

Your friends call and insist you hang out. What are you most likely to be doing?
Hitting up the hottest clubs and bars in town
Gathering at one of our houses
Playing video games together online
Just sitting around looking at each other

Advertisement

Finding love can be tough no matter how likable you are. Where are you most likely to seek out a romantic partner?
Dating app
The grocery store or somewhere else I go routinely
I guess my parents could eventually find someone.
Getting introduced through a friend

Advertisement

Our occupations speak volumes about our personalities. What's your career?
Corporate executive
Software sales representative
Accountant
Self-employed

Advertisement

Likable people tend to enjoy social activities in their free time. What's your favorite recreational activity?
Hanging out at home watching Netflix
Going out to dinner with friends
Going over to a friend's house
Reading a book

Advertisement

After speaking with you for only a few minutes, what would a stranger's first impression be?
They'd probably think I was a normal person.
I guess I'd come off a bit abrupt, I don't like talking to strangers.
I wouldn't even acknowledge them, so probably not positive.
I'm pretty friendly to strangers.

Advertisement

Everyone likes to be called by their own name. How good are you at remembering names?
Don't know, don't care.
Pretty bad, I can never remember names.
I'm great at it and usually remember everyone's name.
It takes a couple of times, but then I remember.

Advertisement

We sometimes see ourselves represented in the natural world. Which of these animals is most like you?
Dog
Dolphin
Bear
Porcupine

Advertisement

Some people talk to others with a specific goal in mind. What is your usual objective when interacting with others?
Ending it as soon as possible
Finding out something interesting to me
Making them feel good
Helping both of us learn

Advertisement

What is your favorite beverage?
Juice
Tea
Soda
Espresso

Advertisement

Likable people have great conversation skills. Which of these words describes what talking to you is like?
Wonderful
Good
Awkward
Painful

Advertisement

You're out eating somewhere and a person you don't recognize walks up to talk to you. How do you respond?
Glare at them
Completely ignore them
Smile at them
Look at them and listen

Advertisement

People tend to like others with the same views on the world. How set are you in your opinions?
I am sometimes open to new beliefs, in very specific settings.
I've had them for a while and it would take a lot to change them.
I'm always eager to learn new ideas and perspectives.
Like concrete

Advertisement

Letting people speak is key for likable conversation. How often do you interrupt?
Whenever I want
I try not to, but it happens.
Probably more often than most
Almost never

Advertisement

It's often said that people have a default or "resting" look on their face. What's your normal facial expression?
A smile
A straight, normal face
A frown
A lip curl with narrowed brows

Advertisement

You're about to pay at the grocery store. The cashier sighs and begins telling you about how hard their day was. What do you do next?
Express sympathy and ask them to talk more.
Apologize to them out of sympathy.
Nod to acknowledge them.
Tell them to hurry up and bag my milk.

Advertisement

If you could have one superpower, which of these four would you pick?
Becoming invisible
Reading people's minds
Flying
Super strength

Advertisement

People like bringing the conversation back to themselves. How often do you talk about yourself?
Only when it's absolutely necessary
From time to time
Pretty often
I'm all I really talk about.

Advertisement

Networking events are a part of life for many professionals. How do you feel about networking events?
I'd rather not go.
They're great, I go as frequently as I can.
They're fine, I don't love them or hate them.
I'd quit my job before going to one of those things.

Advertisement

People like others who can make them laugh. How funny are you?
I'm only funny to myself, never others.
I can make a funny comment or two.
Most people say I'm hilarious.
I don't joke much.

Advertisement

How would you describe your job interview abilities?
I always ace them.
I'm usually decent at them.
I don't look forward to them, but I can get through.
Ugh, I'm not good at them.

Advertisement

Even likable people have issues. What's your biggest flaw?
I don't think I have any!
I'm a little too honest.
I tend to spread myself too thin.
I'm too generous.

Advertisement

You Got: