Common Likes and Dislikes: What Do They Reveal About You?

Likes and dislikes may seem like simple preferences—your favorite type of music, that one food you can’t stand—but they actually tell a lot about who we are. Our preferences reflect our personality, experiences, and even our emotional needs. Understanding them can be great for self-reflection and building self-awareness.

If you happen to be a writer, these personality quirks can also serve as building blocks for crafting complex, authentic characters. Knowing what your fictional protagonist and villain’s likes and dislikes can give you insight into how they would respond in different situations. These quirks also help add depth that can help make your characters more distinctive and interesting.

Here’s a big list of some common likes and dislikes. This can serve as a great way to examine your own interests or as a way to develop those character profiles for your writing projects!

Long List of Likes and Dislikes

Whether you are pondering your own preferences or trying to create a fictional character for your book, story, or RPG, this long list of likes and dislikes is a great place to start. We’ve group them by topic and sorted them into “Likes” and “Dislikes,” but don’t worry if one of your favorite things is something that other people tend to avoid. That’s why they call them quirks!

Likes

Activities

• Hiking in nature
• Reading fiction or non-fiction
• Cooking or baking new recipes
• Dancing, whether alone or in a crowd
• Painting or drawing
• Playing video games or board games
• Traveling to new cities or countries
• Watching documentaries or movies
• Going to concerts or live performances
• Gardening and taking care of plants

Personality Traits in Others

• Humor and a good sense of fun
• Kindness and compassion
• Ambition and drive
• Loyalty and trustworthiness
• Intellectual curiosity
• Adventurous spirit
• Honesty, even when it’s difficult
• Calmness under pressure
• Empathy and emotional intelligence
• Optimism and positivity

Sensory Experiences

• The smell of fresh coffee or baked bread
• The sound of rain or ocean waves
• Soft, cozy blankets or sweaters
• The warmth of sunlight on your skin
• The taste of spicy foods or decadent desserts
• A refreshing shower or a long bath
• The texture of smooth fabrics like silk
• The feeling of a cool breeze on a warm day
• The sound of a favorite song or music genre
• The sight of a beautiful sunset or landscape

Aesthetic Preferences

• Minimalist interior design
• Bold, bright colors like red and orange
• Soft, muted tones like pastels or neutrals
• Vintage or retro fashion styles
• Modern, sleek architecture
• Natural, earthy materials like wood and stone
• Abstract or surreal artwork
• Traditional or classic furniture
• Black-and-white photography
• Eclectic or bohemian decor

Hobbies and Interests

• Knitting, crocheting, or sewing
• Playing a musical instrument
• Collecting vinyl records or vintage items
• Writing stories, poetry, or journaling
• Playing sports or staying active at the gym
• Exploring new cuisines or trying new restaurants
• Watching or participating in theater
• Learning a new language
• Working on DIY home improvement projects
• Volunteering or working with charities

Social Settings

• Small, intimate gatherings with close friends
• Large parties or social events
• Spending time one-on-one with a close friend
• Quiet nights at home with family
• Networking events or professional mixers
• Going on spontaneous adventures with friends
• Cozy, low-key coffee shop meetups
• Attending festivals or public celebrations
• Engaging in deep, meaningful conversations
• Casual game nights or trivia competitions

Dislikes

Activities

• Public speaking or presentations
• Cleaning or doing household chores
• Waiting in long lines
• Exercising in a crowded gym
• Shopping for clothes or groceries
• Driving in heavy traffic
• Flying or long car rides
• Attending formal or dressy events
• Waking up early or staying up too late
• Running errands on busy weekends

Personality Traits in Others

• Arrogance or self-centeredness
• Dishonesty or manipulation
• Pessimism or constant negativity
• Laziness or lack of ambition
• Judgmental attitudes or close-mindedness
• Inconsiderate or thoughtless behavior
• Rudeness or lack of manners
• Controlling or domineering attitudes
• Unreliability or flakiness
• Excessive neediness or clinginess

Sensory Aversions

• Loud, sudden noises like alarms or sirens
• Strong perfumes or chemical smells
• Foods with mushy textures (e.g., overcooked vegetables)
• The sensation of being too hot or too cold
• Bright, flashing lights or fluorescent lighting
• Chalky or gritty textures (e.g., certain candies)
• The sound of chewing or loud breathing
• Scratchy or uncomfortable clothing materials
• Stuffy, crowded rooms
• Squeaky or high-pitched noises

Aesthetic Dislikes

• Cluttered or messy spaces
• Clashing colors or overly bright decor
• Outdated or overly traditional design
• Mismatched furniture or poorly coordinated styles
• Overly minimalist or sterile environments
• Loud, garish artwork or patterns
• Busy, chaotic public spaces
• Bland, colorless rooms
• Dark, gloomy interiors
• Poorly lit or windowless areas

Pet Peeves

• People chewing with their mouths open
• Interruptions during conversations
• Tardiness or people who are always late
• Unsolicited advice or opinions
• Passive-aggressive comments
• People talking loudly on the phone in public
• Overuse of slang or texting abbreviations in formal settings
• Leaving dirty dishes in the sink
• People who don’t say thank you or show appreciation
• Inconsiderate drivers (e.g., cutting in line, not signaling)
• Littering
• People who don’t return their shopping carts

Social Dislikes

• Crowded events with too many people
• Small talk or forced conversations
• Awkward silences in group settings
• Being the center of attention
• Dealing with rude or disrespectful strangers
• Group activities where personal space is limited
• High-pressure sales situations or being “sold to”
• Social events with unclear expectations
• Having to engage in conflict or confrontations
• Long, drawn-out meetings or events without a clear purpose

What Are Likes and Dislikes?

At their core, likes and dislikes are personal preferences—things you naturally gravitate toward or shy away from. They can be as simple as your favorite foods or as complex as your core values and beliefs. Psychologically, they’re shaped by your experiences, upbringing, and even your environment.

Likes often bring a sense of joy or comfort, while dislikes might trigger frustration or discomfort.

For writers, these preferences serve as a window into a character’s inner world, helping to build a more relatable, three-dimensional personality. Just like in real life, a character’s likes and dislikes can hint at deeper emotional needs or unresolved conflicts, making them feel more authentic and nuanced.

The Psychology Behind Likes and Dislikes

Likes and dislikes reveal a lot about your psychology. These preferences are shaped by factors including past experiences, cultural influences, and biology. For example, early positive experiences with certain activities or foods can lead to lifelong likes, while negative associations may create dislikes. This is part of classical conditioning, where we learn to associate certain stimuli with pleasure or discomfort.

Cognitive biases also play a role. Our brain tends to seek patterns that reinforce what we already enjoy or avoid, known as the confirmation bias. If you enjoy hiking, you’ll likely notice the benefits of being in nature more than someone who dislikes outdoor activities. On the flip side, negative reinforcement might lead us to avoid situations that previously caused stress or discomfort.

Personality also influences likes and dislikes. Extroverts, for example, often enjoy social gatherings, while introverts might prefer quieter, more solitary activities. Additionally, values and beliefs shape preferences—what aligns with our sense of identity or worldview is usually something we like, while things that conflict with them are often disliked.

Understanding the psychology behind your likes and dislikes can offer valuable insights into why you react the way you do, helping you make more informed decisions and even improve relationships. For writers, these psychological elements can be woven into character development, adding complexity and depth to their fictional worlds.

Why Knowing Your Likes and Dislikes Is Important

To really understand your likes and dislikes, you need to go beyond the basics. Yes, knowing your favorite movie or food is important, but it’s also meaningful to dig deeper and look at how your preferences are tied to your emotional and psychological needs.  You can reflect on the things you enjoy to get a better understanding of things like your identity, your values, and your boundaries. That can lead to great self-awareness, which can guide decisions in relationships, career choices, and even how you spend your free time.

Recognizing your likes can help you identify what brings you joy and fulfillment, allowing you to intentionally incorporate more of those things into your life. On the other hand, being aware of your dislikes can reveal triggers for stress or discomfort, helping you set boundaries and avoid situations that drain your energy. It’s about aligning your daily life with who you truly are.

For personal growth, this understanding also allows you to challenge old patterns. Sometimes we hold on to dislikes because of past experiences, and by re-examining them, you might discover new opportunities for growth or change. The more you explore these preferences, the better you can create a life that feels authentic and satisfying.