While doing an ice breaker at summer camp a few years back, a counselor asked us each what ice cream flavor best represents our personality. Since then, I’ve come to believe that each individual’s personality can be described in a single, distinct ice cream flavor. At first, however, I didn’t know what to say; I just knew I wasn’t vanilla. But as I began to think about my own answer and listen to my friends’ answers more carefully, I started to realize that this was a stellar ice-breaker question. In fact, I have yet to encounter a better one. 

For the rest of that summer, my introduction when I met new people immediately changed from “Hi, my name is Jillian and my favorite animal is a dog,” to “Hi, my name is Jillian and if my personality was an ice cream flavor, it would be rum raisin.” It is clear which introduction allows the people around me to know me better. Knowing your favorite animal gets me nowhere, but if I know that your personality is mint chip, I then know that I can always rely on you, and if your personality is a type of sorbet, I know that you value affection and friendship. This one-to-two-word description of who you are tells a hundred-word story. 

As an example, the ice cream flavor that best fits my personality is rum raisin. To be clear, rum raisin is not my favorite ice cream flavor, and I actually don’t think I’ve ever even had it, yet it perfectly describes who I am nonetheless. The raisin represents the slightly grandma-esque part of me, typing with one finger, going to bed early, and talking about the weather when there’s a lull in the conversation. But, the rum part represents my fun side and my ability to have a good time when given the perfect opportunity. I can not imagine an ice cream flavor that better matches my personality. 

To determine which ice cream flavor best fits your personality, you need to look at both the base, the mix-ins, and the swirl. Different ingredients have different meanings and different sub-meanings within them. For example, there’s a distinct difference between a chocolate ice cream base, a chocolate swirl, and a chocolate chip. The range of possibilities is endless, as there are endless combinations of flavors. 

Let’s start by diving into a popular flavor: chocolate, a flavor with many virtues. In general, any form of chocolate in one’s personality indicates class. This rich, decadent flavor perfectly describes those who are distinguished and professional. Chocolate commands respect and exudes confidence. A perfect example of someone whose personality fits chocolate ice cream is Tom Hanks. He is the epitome of a ‘distinguished gentleman’ with that same warm, fuzzy feeling that fills your body after watching Toy Story and also after eating a bowl of chocolate, fudgy ice cream. Tom Hanks is one of the most well-respected actors of all time and therefore perfectly fits the chocolate ice cream personality. 

Then of course there are chocolate swirls and chocolate chips. Personalities with a chocolate swirl still have these illustrious mannerisms but in a more fun way. Their confidence allows them to loosen up and command respect while still exuding a welcoming energy. A chocolate swirl perfectly complements the base flavor, neither overshadowing the other. 

Chocolate chips are a different story. Everyone knows that chocolate chips in ice cream overpower all other flavors unless used sparingly, and this is the same in ice cream personalities. Those with chocolate chips allow their perfectionism to impede on their ability to have fun. But, being stranded on a desert island with someone with chocolate chips wouldn’t be all that bad. Their intelligence and authority would keep things calm and controlled. 

So, next time you’re looking to really get to know someone, and I don’t mean surface-level, meaningless, favorite-animal questions, but something deeper, ask them what ice cream flavor best describes their personality. You will immediately have a greater sense of their character, values, and vices. But beware. Speaking from personal experience, pretty soon, you won’t be able to meet a new person without immediately assigning them the perfectly matching ice cream flavor.