28 Things That Can Tell You a Lot About a Person

Understanding what another person is really like can be difficult, but these 28 things can help you decode their true personality. 

The Way They Dress

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Do they have a specific style? Are they scruffy or dressed to impress? Well-dressed people are often considered more ambitious.

Their Body Language

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Do they seem closed off, or do they welcome you with open arms? You can tell a lot by the way a person interacts with you.

Also Read: 6 Tips For Dealing With A Manipulator

How They Treat Service Workers

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Going for dinner with someone is the best way to test how they treat strangers, waiters and general service workers.

How They Talk

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Slow talkers often come across as more intellectual, while those who talk very fast may seem erratic and too eager.

Do They Show Initiative

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Showing initiative on a first date or even being willing to pick up trash on the street without being told is often a sign of leadership. Leaders tend to act, while followers tend to ignore.

How They Make Eye Contact

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Those who can maintain eye contact for an extended period are often seen as more confident, while those who won’t meet your eye may feel self-conscious or shy.

How They Argue

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Are they a hot head, or do they make arguments based on logic, not emotion? Once you have your first argument, it will be easy to tell what type of person they are.

How They Act if They Don’t Win

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Are they sore losers, or do they congratulate the winner? Losing often brings out the true character of a person.

How They Tip

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You can tell a lot about someone’s personality by going to dinner with them. Do they tip 20% or leave a few pennies for the waiter? 

What Types of Jokes They Make

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Knowing what another person finds funny can make or break any relationship.

How You Feel About Yourself When You’re Around Them

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If a person is negative or constantly brings bad energy into the room, you can be guaranteed that you’ll start to feel bad when you’re around them.

Also Read: 4 Things That May Seem Rude But Are Actually Self-Care

Their Taste in Music

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Do they like 60s Motown, or are they into Heavy Metal? Music can tell you a lot about someone’s personality and all-around character.

How They Keep Their Commitments

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Waiting for someone who’s late can be frustrating. Are they always late? Do they apologize? Do they let you know in advance? They may be known to cancel on you at the last minute. How someone keeps their commitments will tell you a lot about how much they respect other people’s time.

How They Act With People, They Want Something From

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When people want something from someone else, they’ll instantly become much friendlier. Do you sense a different tone from them? Do they seem fake or act respectful and kind to everyone they meet?

Signature Size

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It is said that people who have large signatures generally see themselves as being important and grandiose.

The Shopping Cart Theory

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According to a subreddit from 2020, The shopping cart theory is the ultimate test of whether or not you are a good or bad person. Do you return your shopping cart after you’re done with it? Congratulations, you’re a good person. Do you leave it for someone else to collect? Oh dear, you may just be a bad person.

How They Talk About Their Friends Behind Their Backs

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Do they gossip, or do they always seem pleased when things go wrong for their friends? Remember, gossiping is a sign of insecurity and jealousy.

How They Respond When They Don’t Get What They Want

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Do they throw a tantrum or behave classily? You will usually see a person’s real character when things don’t go right.

How They Apologize

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Are they sincere and show remorse? Or perhaps they send you a gaslighting text? How someone apologizes says everything about their person.

How They Respond to Changes in Plans

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Plans change, often. But how do they react? Are they understanding or do they become angry and hostile?

Neatness and Cleanliness

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People who appear neat and clean are usually also considered well organized.

Their Handshake

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A firm handshake often indicates confidence and decisiveness whereas a soft handshake may be a sign of a more sensitive character.

How They Respond to Peer Pressure

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You’re not a bad person if you can’t withstand peer pressure. However, it does say something about your sense of self and lack of confidence.

How They Act When They Make A Mistake

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Are they apologetic? Do they try to rectify the mistake, or do they try to blame it on someone else? A person should be able to own up to their own mistakes.

How They Act When You Make A Mistake

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How someone behaves when you’ve made a mistake shows a lot about them. Do they try to embarrass you or make you feel bad? Or do they provide encouraging words and help you solve the problem?

How Their Real-Life Compares to Social Media Life

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We’re all guilty of showing only the good stuff on social media, but often it’s not done with intent. If someone deliberately filters their faces and bodies and only shows off when they are out for expensive meals, you can be pretty sure that they rely on external validation to make them feel better about themselves.

How Their Car Looks

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Not everyone will have a car, but if it is kept clean and organized, you can be pretty sure that this is how they keep their house as well.

How Children Respond to Them

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Kids have no filter and will gauge a person based on their facial expressions, body language, and openness. They can quickly see through a person who’s being fake. 

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