If you display these 8 traits, you’re an exceptionally likeable person

Almost every single person on the planet has something likeable to them, from the way they smile or take an interest in the world around them to the tenderness with which they treat their loved ones.

That grumpy man you’ve just passed on the street? He has nine cats whom he loves dearly. He’s just not doing great today.

However, there are likeable qualities that can be found in most of us and then there are personalities that comprise so many amazing traits that it boggles the mind.

In short, some people are exceptionally likeable. The moment they enter the room, it’s like the Sun itself has come for a visit.

Are you one of those people? If you display these 8 traits, you might very well be.

1) You’re extremely approachable

If someone wants to ask another person for directions while they’re lost in a foreign city, they are very likely to choose you.

If someone new struggles at the workplace and doesn’t know where to turn for help, there’s a high chance they’ll end up coming to you.

Why is that?

Well, the simple answer is that you simply give off an approachable vibe. Of course, this doesn’t clear things up very much, so let’s break it down:

• You have a nothing-is-a-problem attitude
• You smile a lot
• You make an effort to make everyone in the group feel included
• You act comfortable around other people

All these combined, you just seem very warm and welcoming.

If there’s an issue, people aren’t afraid to reach out to you because you automatically seem like someone who’d offer help and understanding instead of judgment.

And speaking of judgment…

2) You display a lack of passive aggression or judgment

Contrary to what you might think, passive aggression isn’t something only evil or bitter people often turn to. In fact, most of us have been passive-aggressive at one time or another.

The thing about exceptionally likeable people is that they left their passive aggression days back in the past, and now, they try to avoid it as much as possible.

They don’t snap at their flatmate if they haven’t cleaned the kitchen properly.

They don’t give you a side-eye if they disagree with something the third person in the group is saying.

They don’t roll their eyes if you get excited about something silly.

It’s actually quite the opposite. Likeable people are so highly empathetic that they tend to get on the same wavelength pretty quickly, and what’s more, they’ll always seek to understand where you’re coming from.

If the kitchen’s not clean, they’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and have a calm conversation about it. If they disagree, they’ll say it in a polite manner. If you get excited, there’s a high chance they’ll feel your excitement, too.

What about you? Would you say you’re a very open-minded person who always tries to communicate respectfully?

If your answer is yes, it means you might be exceptionally likeable.

3) You respect other people’s autonomy

The reason you’re not passive-aggressive and quick to judge is that you have an inherent respect for who other people are and the choices they make.

Sounds like something so simple you wouldn’t think it exceptional?

Think again. There are plenty of people out there who disrespect others’ autonomy.

They may try to convince their friend who really hates swimming to jump into the pool no matter how many times they say no. They might deem other people unintelligent just because they have a different opinion. They may get upset each time their significant other doesn’t immediately cater to their needs and wants.

Whatever it is, disrespecting other people’s autonomy is actually quite common.

The fact that you don’t do it makes you very likeable because people feel safe in your presence. They know you wouldn’t do something that makes them uncomfortable on purpose, which allows them to open up and be their authentic selves.

4) You know how to balance authenticity and social convention

Speaking of authenticity, the next trait on our list is about exactly that.

But there’s more to authentic behavior than meets the eye. In general, we assume that being authentic is a purely positive trait.

Surely, you should always act like yourself? Surely, you shouldn’t put on any masks?

Well, it’s not that simple. The authenticity you display in the comfort of your bedroom is hardly something that’d fly in a business meeting.

The issue is that the balance can be quite difficult to navigate. Some people may be too blunt or inappropriate because they don’t filter themselves properly, while others may never reveal their true personalities for fear of being disliked or judged.

You, on the other hand… you know how to exist in the sweet spot in the middle. Your authenticity inspires others, but you’re also never out of line or impolite.

5) You’re in it for a genuine connection

The next trait on our list is a very important one – it’s the ability to listen in order to truly connect with someone.

The sad truth is that this skill is quite rare. I’ve met plenty of people who only listened because it was polite to do so, but you could tell they were patiently waiting their turn and weren’t actually paying attention to what you said.

A genuine connection, however, is built on a two-sided dynamic. It’s built on a deep sense of understanding. It’s built on the desire to truly get to know one another.

And exceptionally likeable people have a knack for that, which is what makes them so likeable at the end of the day – they make others feel heard and understood.

If you do the following, it’s a sign you might be a member of the likeable club:

• You frequently ask questions
• You are engaged in the conversation at hand
• You remember what people have told you about themselves in the past
• You genuinely care about other people and want to get to know them

6) You’re the definition of non-toxic positivity

The fact that someone’s always positive doesn’t automatically make them likeable. This is because even positivity can get out of hand if you take it too far.

For example, people who insist on only ever being positive tend to bottle up their negative emotions until they blow up one day, and they may also struggle to offer emotional support to others because the negativity makes them uncomfortable.

On the other hand, people who are negative quite often can bring others down and are difficult to be around because their mood can become contagious, crushing everyone’s spirit.

As you can probably tell, both aren’t ideal.

And that’s where you come in! If you’re an exceptionally likeable person, it most probably means that you exist in that beautiful space between toxic positivity and too much negativity.

You’re an optimist, but you also understand the importance of negative emotions. You’re often happy and joyful, but you’re there for your friends if they’re sad or angry.

To sum it up, your approach to emotions is very mature. You accept them as a necessary part of life and as something that can be processed and dealt with. And perhaps most importantly, you don’t let your feelings reach the extremes, which makes you quite stable and consistent.

7) You’re a rock others can lean on

While we’re talking about stability, it’s time to mention the importance of reliability.

The reason flaky people aren’t super likeable is that others can simply never lean on them in times of need. They may be fun to hang out with, but when push comes to shove, they disappear.

But you? You’re not like that. You promise the people you care about that you’ll be there for them, and when the time comes for you to prove the value of your words, you rise to the challenge.

8) You don’t take things too personally

Another amazing trait of likeable people is that they don’t get offended all that easily.

This is because they understand that the world doesn’t revolve around them.

If your friend’s canceled on you for personal reasons, you don’t automatically assume they have a bone to pick with you.

If your boss is in a bad mood and snaps at you, you don’t feel resentful about it for a whole week straight.

If your flatmate asks you if you could tidy the living room in a slightly different way, you don’t automatically take it as an insult.

In short, you are very likeable because you don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.

You’re quite a conflict-free person, and let’s face it – if there’s one thing that would make someone exceptionally likeable, it’s that they are super easy to get along with.

Sounds like you? Congratulations! Here’s your imaginary membership card to the club of exceptionally likeable people.