Being likeable doesn’t require perfection or charm in the traditional sense.
Often, it’s the low-key, slightly oddball things that make people warm to you immediately. These habits may not seem important at first glance, but they show comfort in your own skin, a playful spirit, and a surprising amount of emotional intelligence. Here are some of the endearing behaviours and traits that tend to make people feel more relaxed, open, and genuinely drawn to you.
1. Laughing at your own jokes
Source: Unsplash When someone laughs at their own jokes, it creates a sense of openness and ease. It shows they’re not overly concerned with appearing cool or calculated—they’re just enjoying the moment. That kind of light-heartedness is instantly disarming. It’s less about how funny the joke is, and more about the energy behind it. You’re inviting people to laugh with you, not at you, and that kind of self-generated joy is surprisingly contagious.
2. Talking to your pets like they understand you
There’s something endearing about someone chatting to their cat or dog like they’re a roommate. It’s sweet, a little funny, and shows a softness people gravitate toward. It humanises you in a quiet way. Even if no one else is around to hear it, that behaviour reflects emotional warmth. When other people do see it, it leaves an impression of kindness without needing to be performative.
3. Doing a little victory dance when something goes right
Small, goofy celebrations—like a fist pump or a happy dance over something minor—make you instantly relatable. They show you find joy in the everyday, and that you don’t take yourself too seriously. People love to be around someone who celebrates without needing a reason to impress. That kind of unfiltered excitement makes other people feel comfortable showing theirs, too.
4. Having conversations with yourself
Whether it’s muttering while cooking or rehearsing what you’ll say in a meeting, talking to yourself shows you think out loud and aren’t worried about looking perfectly composed. It’s quirky, but also quite grounding. It shows self-awareness and problem-solving. And rather than making you look strange, it actually gives people a peek into how thoughtful you are beneath the surface.
5. Getting overexcited about your favourite foods
That giddy energy when your favourite food arrives says a lot about you. It tells people that you don’t hold back when something brings you joy, and that enthusiasm is charming in any context. We all connect over food, so when someone lights up over theirs, it creates an opening for warmth, shared enjoyment, and conversations that are way more fun than small talk.
6. Singing in the shower or car like you’re on stage
There’s a kind of freedom in unapologetically belting out a song when no one’s watching, or even when they are. It shows that you’re in your own world in the best way. Whether you’re in tune or completely off-key, the willingness to enjoy yourself without holding back tends to make people feel more relaxed around you, and maybe even inspired to do the same.
7. Giving everything a nickname
From your kettle to your favourite pair of shoes, assigning playful names to things adds a personal twist to your surroundings. It shows imagination and affection for the everyday. That habit often carries over into how you speak to people—with a warmth and sense of fun that makes them feel seen. It’s not just cute, it’s connection.
8. Wearing mismatched socks on purpose
Choosing to wear mismatched socks is a small act of rebellion against unnecessary rules. It says, “I know this doesn’t matter, and I’m fine being a little weird.” People tend to remember someone who chooses self-expression over social convention. It’s subtle, but it adds a spark of individuality that other people instinctively respect.
9. Making up songs about mundane tasks
Source: Unsplash Singing your way through laundry or narrating your life in musical form might sound odd, but it instantly makes you more memorable. It’s creative, funny, and shows that you know how to keep things light. It also shows that you’re the kind of person who makes your own fun. That trait draws people in because deep down, most of us wish we were more like that.
10. Using silly voices for emphasis
Switching into a ridiculous accent or overdramatic tone for no real reason is exactly the kind of thing that catches people off guard—in the best way. It’s unpredictable, funny, and shows you’re not trying to be too polished. That playfulness tells people you’re emotionally safe to be around. They know they can joke, relax, and drop their own guard a little when you’re nearby.
11. Collecting oddly specific things
Source: Unsplash Whether it’s vintage spoons, novelty socks, or obscure postcards, collecting something unusual shows curiosity and devotion to personal interests—two traits that instantly make people more interesting. It gives other people something fun to ask about, and you instantly become someone with stories, passions, and a sense of identity that feels real, not curated for appearances.
12. Making up your own catchphrases
Saying things like “Let’s roll, jellybean” or “That’s bananas and I love it” gives your speech a personal rhythm that stands out. It’s weird. It’s yours. And it’s memorable. People tend to associate catchphrases with character. Even if they don’t remember your name, they’ll remember that thing you always say, and that builds a sense of familiarity.
13. Getting overly enthusiastic about niche topics
When someone lights up talking about a topic you’ve never even considered, it’s surprisingly engaging. Passion is likeable, even when it’s about rocks, fungi, or vintage arcade games. That kind of enthusiasm is magnetic because it reminds people of what it’s like to *care* about something. It’s not about the topic—it’s about the spark behind it.
14. Complimenting people in unexpected ways
Saying things like “You always make waiting in line less boring” or “That colour makes you look like a sunrise” sticks. It’s personal, thoughtful, and goes beyond the usual script. Unusual compliments are often the most remembered because they hit a little deeper. They show you’re paying attention, not just being polite.
15. Laughing too hard at puns
Genuinely cracking up over a terrible pun is like a personality litmus test. It says you find joy in the ridiculous, and you’re not afraid to enjoy simple humour. That kind of reaction is strangely charming—it’s not about wit, it’s about warmth. People associate that laughter with fun, and by extension, with you.
16. Making up stories about strangers
Giving strangers nicknames or backstories while people-watching shows you’re curious and imaginative. It’s a harmless way to pass time, but it also shows playfulness and emotional intelligence. People enjoy being around someone who sees the world as a source of wonder, not just a place to get through. You bring colour to the ordinary, and that’s something people remember.
17. Talking to inanimate objects like they can hear you
Whether it’s thanking your kettle or apologising to your phone for dropping it, these little exchanges add personality to your day, and reveal a softer, more creative side to other people. It may sound silly, but people often find it endearing. It suggests empathy and humour, even in the quietest, most unnoticed parts of life.
18. Dancing during chores
Busting out a dance move while folding laundry or washing dishes shows you know how to have fun when nothing exciting is happening. It makes the mundane enjoyable, and infectious to watch. People feel drawn to those who can create their own joy without needing an audience. It’s self-generated good energy, and it makes everything feel lighter.
19. Making up nicknames for people you like
Giving someone a goofy or affectionate nickname is a small but powerful way to create connection. It’s a subtle “you matter to me” gesture that doesn’t need to be explained. Most people secretly love having a nickname. It feels intimate and specific, and it makes your interactions feel more personal, and more fun.
20. Wearing costumes or theme outfits just because
Dressing with a bit of flair, whimsy, or total randomness for no reason at all shows that you’re living by your own rules. It takes confidence to lean into fun without a formal excuse. When people see that you’re not waiting for permission to be joyful or weird, it gives them permission too. That kind of freedom is irresistible.
