How to Tell if Someone Is Into You, by Personality Type

Laura's avatar

“How do I know if someone’s into me?”

Oh boy. This is a question we get from you, our readers, all the time. You ask us if that Architect classmate of yours is being rude or trying (not very successfully, it seems) to flirt. And what about that Campaigner from work – are they that friendly with everyone, or might they be especially interested in you?

To be honest, the best reply to these questions is probably, “Just ask them.” You can beg all your friends for advice, search the Internet for hours, and write a fifty-page dissertation on that last text message you got from your crush (“k thanks later”???) – and still have no idea how they feel about you.

But you already knew that, right? And if it were so easy to just walk up to someone and say, “Hey, do you like me?” – well, we all probably would have done that already, thank you very much.

So, with that in mind, here are our (very tongue-in-cheek) top tips on how to tell if someone is into you, by personality type.

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Architects

If they’re into you: You’ll have a sneaking suspicion that they disagree with you less than they do with other people. You may also occasionally catch them looking at you when they think you’re not paying attention.

If they’re not into you: Uh, trust us, you’ll know.

Logicians

If they’re into you: They’ll ask for your opinion on various topics, from climate change to abstract art to Southeast Asian history. You may feel weirdly flattered by their attention, even if you’re not totally sure why.

If they’re not into you: They’ll forget your name, even if you’ve already met ten times.

Commanders

If they’re into you: Don’t worry, they’ll ask you out. They may suggest a first date that shows off their skills or their surprisingly good taste – perhaps an outing to the archery range or dinner at some awesome restaurant that you’ve never heard of.

If they’re not into you: They’ll poke fun at you. And, because it all seems good-natured enough to them, they won’t understand why you get upset.

Debaters

If they’re into you: They’ll disagree with everything you say, just to get a rise out of you.

If they’re not into you: They’ll disagree with everything you say, just to get a rise out of you.

Diplomat Personality Types

Advocates

If they’re into you: They’ll give you a copy of their favorite book and say, “I know you’ll really like this” – even though you’ve never told them anything about your taste in books.

If they’re not into you: They’ll judge you so hard if they find out you don’t recycle batteries. (Seriously, though, you should.)

Mediators

If they’re into you: Let’s just say that anonymous love notes will be involved. And yes, those notes will be written in rhyming verse.

If they’re not into you: If you ask them out, they’ll have a really, really, really hard time saying no. In fact, they may marry you just so they never have to let you down.

Protagonists

If they’re into you: They’ll ask you on a first date that will last approximately six hours. At a minimum, expect to visit a museum, climb a mountain, and volunteer at a soup kitchen.

If they’re not into you: They’ll set you up with someone else. “Trust me,” they’ll say, “I’m really good at this.”

Campaigners

If they’re into you: They’ll want to spend as much time with you as possible, even if that means tagging along while you run errands. Also, even if you tell a joke that isn’t particularly funny, they’ll laugh so hard they start crying.

If they’re not into you: They’ll still want to be your friend.

Sentinel Personality Types

Logisticians

If they’re into you: It might take them a while to ask you out, but they will. And when they do, they’ll put a surprising (and touching) amount of effort into that first date. If they take you to a museum, for example, you’d better believe they’ve already read the exhibition catalog and can quote it verbatim.

If they’re not into you: Don’t worry, they won’t lead you on. At all. No coy smiles, no accidentally brushing your arm, nothing. Flirting is more or less a foreign language to these types.

Defenders

If they’re into you: They will wait so, so, so patiently for you to ask them out. Seriously, you’ll need to make the first move on this one.

If they’re not into you: You’ll catch them side-eyeing the clutter in your car/purse/backpack/office/etc. Yes, they’re judging you.

Executives

If they’re into you: They’ll give you a PowerPoint presentation about your potential relationship, including a slide titled “Mutual Benefits.”

If they’re not into you: You might catch them acting as if they’re your boss – even if you don’t work for them.

Consuls

If they’re into you: You won’t have to guess. These are the personality types who’ll ask you on a second date ten minutes into the first date.

If they’re not into you: They might rope you into a group outing so they can spend time with the person who is actually the object of their affection.

Explorer Personality Types

Virtuosos

If they’re into you: They’ll tolerate your presence – and maybe even seem to enjoy it.

If they’re not into you: They may walk away while you’re talking to them. Try not to take it personally.

Adventurers

If they’re into you: They’ll be kind and perhaps even warm toward you, but they won’t really open up until you paint pottery together.

If they’re not into you: They’ll avoid painting pottery with you as graciously and kindly as they can.

Entrepreneurs

If they’re into you: They’ll do their best to impress you – without making it super obvious that they’re trying to impress you, of course. They might put extra effort into their appearance, pick up the tab whenever you’re out together, or tell you all about the supercool thing they did last weekend.

If they’re not into you: They’ll ask you for an introduction to your friend/classmate/business associate.

Entertainers

If they’re into you: Expect some big gestures: fireworks, skywriting, horseback rides on the beach. But don’t be surprised if they show up late for nearly all your get-togethers.

If they’re not into you: They’ll still act like having a conversation with you is the highlight of their day, and they might even flirt a little, but – sorry to say – there won’t be any skywriting.

But do you “like” like this article?

Well, readers, what do you think? Do any of these tongue-in-cheek personality descriptions ring true? And how do you act when you’re into someone? Let us know in the comments section!

Further Reading

Online Dating – Does Your Personality Type Think It’s Pointless?

Three Ways Your Turbulent Personality Trait Can Mess Up a Date – And How to Fight Back

Can Romance Last?

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Comments

Please to join the discussion.

INFJ avatar
I do love writing but... I don't think I'll ever send someone I like one of my cringy poems even anonymously. But the "letting them down" part got me lol
INFP avatar
Yeah, the poems I write can never be shown to anyone else XD
INFJ avatar
Even though I’m a turbulent advocate one of the biggest things ill do to indicate that I most definitely think you’re at least cute is doing the whole stealing looks at you behind your back. But if I can actually get to know you some and find myself interested in you? Yeah probably would have no problem letting you have a book or other hobby related item. Especially books. I do like to keep them but I mean once I’ve read it I’ve read it. I don’t go back to old books very often. Better to find new books. New stories. But I don’t entirely know exactly how I’d act yet, still trying to find someone...
INTJ avatar
I prefer to observe and analyze people rather than communicate with them. It is absolutely true that I will be even more attentive in my observations to those who appeal to me. The problem is that even if I want to be with the object of my adoration, I will never take action beyond my observation. My experience shows that nobody understands this style. I often observe (haha) that I am not chosen or that people lose interest because I seem too cold, not confident and even not interested. That is why I will never find a partner. Whish you all good luck, dear turbulent architect fellows.
ENFJ avatar
How is your crush supposed to get around this?? Sorry, I think I'm currently crushing on a male INTJ and it's impossible to tell if he likes me, because he's great when I meet with him but it's so difficult to arrange to meet with him, he replies SO slowly and is quite reserved- is this just his indifference, or an INTJ thing? Thanks lol hope I don't sound too desperate
INTJ avatar
In order to find out if your subject of admiration is really a turbulent architect, it is necessary that he passed the test. In the practical case, this is just speculation. And yet, the model of his behavior that you described is very similar to mine. I don't know if this will help you, but if he really is an architect, then here are my tips. ✔ Do not intrude or show that you are too dependent on his company and crave meetings as often as possible. Architects do not respect weak, dependent people and excessive attachment scares us. ✔ Never punish silence with silence. It won't work. It is better to always take the initiative and if he does not have time, do not insist. ✔ Keep in mind that no matter how hard you try, architects always need time to make sure that a person is reliable and learn to trust him/her. If you have patience, then you will wait and he will open his heart to you. ✔ And more humor! We are too serious, we need it. :)
INFP avatar
I probably needed the one with "taking the initiative" - thank you!
INTP avatar
I kinda am in the middle with that, I look like 70% of the time and when she actually talks to me I slightly panic, it’s getting better, but she starts most of the conversations.
INTP avatar
Do not ever try making an INTJ join a conversation against their will. You will regret it. If you do start one with us, the only way we will reply if it is intriguing. Unless we are passionate about the subject, we will probably say one line and exit the conversation. If we don't, it's quite likely that the INTJ is interested in you.
INTP avatar
I'd like to add that if we're only saying one or two lines, they'll probably be snarky or correcting something you said. While if we do like you, chances are we're listening to everything but correct you when you're saying something odd.
INTP avatar
don't correct* Where's the edit function?
ENFJ avatar
Amazing thank you
INFP avatar
But guys (INFP guys) are you really all found of poetry and writing? Because I'm not (I love to read though)
INFP avatar
I liked to write stories a few years ago, I like reading, too (although, I don't do it so often anymore). I'm only into analysing poetry when school wants me to but that's about it. Anyway, 16personalities says every now and then in articles that not every habit or tendecy of a personality is to be found in every single one considered belonging to said personality. They are just tendencies, after all, not fixed laws^^
INFP avatar
Hmm, I don't think I would really write poems. I'd prefer to have deep conversations. A lot of texting:D
INFP avatar
I like writing, but more stories than poetry. I'll write the occasional poem, but I definitely write stories more.
ENFP avatar
« Even if that means tagging along while you run errands. » Haha it’s so true I’ve done that many times ! I also do this with my friends though, and I think sometimes people misinterpreted my interest, because I can be very passionate about knowing people even as friends. If I realize it I try to make them understand gently, and I’m careful not to touch or hug people who have a crush on me. And yes we stay friends no matter what haha And with people I like I will have a lot of small attentions, I’ll remember everything they like and make them gifts all the time. And I try to hug them or hold their hands, or kiss, but I’m too shy to use words.
ENTP avatar
Same, I do it with my friends.