Want to be cool? Scientists reveal six traits that make you one
What exactly makes someone "cool"? Is it their confidence, the way they dress, or how effortlessly they stand out in a crowd? A new international study, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, attempts to answer this age-old question with science.
Researchers surveyed nearly 6,000 people from 12 countries and discovered that, regardless of culture, age, or background, people share a surprisingly consistent view of what makes someone cool. And it turns out, being cool has less to do with being trendy and more to do with who you are at your core.
So, what makes someone cool?
Rather than associating coolness with fleeting fads or social status, the study found that truly cool people possess a unique mix of personality traits that set them apart. These individuals aren't necessarily the kindest or most traditional but they exude confidence, independence, and an adventurous spirit that makes them stand out. Here are the six traits that cool people around the world seem to share:
Six key
traits of coolness
, according to science
Extroversion – Cool people are outgoing, socially confident, and comfortable in different social settings. They often command attention without trying too hard.
Hedonism – They enjoy life, seek pleasure, and are drawn to experiences that are fun, indulgent, or expressive.
Power – They are seen as influential and commanding, often leading rather than following.
Adventurousness – They are risk-takers who embrace the unknown and are open to new, bold experiences.
Openness – Cool individuals are receptive to new ideas, people, and ways of thinking, often embracing unconventional paths.
Autonomy – They value independence and self-expression, making choices based on their own beliefs rather than conforming to societal norms.
Cool vs. good: why they're not the same
Interestingly, the study also compared what makes someone "cool" versus what makes someone "good."
While some traits like capability were common to both, good people were more often described as conforming, secure, agreeable, conscientious, and calm. In contrast, coolness leaned toward rebellion, risk, and nonconformity. That distinction matters, especially for young people who often prioritize popularity over deeper values.
Researchers also highlighted that the word "cool" itself was recognized globally, suggesting that Western ideals of coolness, driven largely by American media, have influenced global perceptions.
However, not all cultural values align. As noted by psychologist Mitch Prinstein, traits like aggression may boost status in Western societies while reducing it in others, like in parts of East Asia.
Coolness often brings social visibility, influence, and a magnetic presence—especially during adolescence when identity and status are in flux. It can help individuals stand out, gain confidence, and build wide social networks.
According to researchers like Caleb Warren, coolness reflects traits like autonomy and boldness, which can be empowering when expressed positively.
While being universally liked is important, having a cool presence can also open doors, inspire admiration, and shape trends. As psychologist Mitch Prinstein points out, even those who don't fit the traditional mold of popularity can thrive if they embrace their individuality.
In many ways, being cool—when authentic and grounded—can be both powerful and meaningful.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Should work start at 6am in UAE? Here's what some residents say
esidents in the UAE say starting work at 6am could improve focus, health, and work-life balance/image: pixabay Across the UAE, a growing number of residents are advocating for the workday to begin as early as 6am. Many say that aligning work hours with their natural morning routines, such as waking for Fajr prayer or exercising, would allow them to finish work earlier in the day. This shift could offer more time for rest, errands, and family, while also potentially boosting productivity and reducing screen fatigue, particularly during the scorching summer months. Early Risers Want to Finish Early For Dubai resident Amina Al Hammadi, the day starts well before sunrise. Speaking to local news outlet Khaleej Times, she said that she wakes up for the Fajr prayer at around 4:03am. 'I wake up for Fajr around 4.03am these days,' Amina said. 'By the time I'm done with my prayer and breakfast, I'm wide awake and ready. But I still have to wait two, sometimes three hours before work starts. I wish I could just get going at 6am and finish early.' Amina believes that starting soon after Fajr prayer would enable her to complete her workday by 2pm, freeing up the rest of the afternoon for family time, rest, or errands. She pointed out that this schedule would be especially beneficial in the summer months, when the heat can be draining by midday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Undo 'In the summer, especially, the heat drains you by the afternoon. It would be so much better if we're done by then,' she added. Similarly, Alex, an American expat working in sales in Dubai, starts his day with a run at 5am followed by a gym session. He shared with KT: 'By 6am I'm fully alert, I've had my workout, my coffee, and I feel most productive. But I waste so much of that energy waiting for the workday to start. I'd rather finish by 2pm or 3pm and then have time for lunch, maybe a nap, and enjoy the evening.' Alex also noted the impact on screen fatigue. 'In sales, you're constantly emailing or on Zoom. If I can frontload all that in the morning and get it over with, I'll be sharper and less burned out.' Experts Weigh In: Health and Productivity Benefits While some UAE companies have adopted flexible schedules, a standard early start remains uncommon. Dr. Reem Al Marzouqi, a Dubai-based occupational health specialist, explained the scientific benefits of matching work hours with natural energy peaks. 'People who wake up early tend to have higher cortisol levels in the morning, which boosts alertness and focus,' Dr. Al Marzouqi told KT. 'Starting the workday earlier taps into that natural hormonal peak. Over time, this can enhance productivity and reduce dependence on stimulants like caffeine.' She also emphasized how earlier work hours can protect employees from the extreme heat typical of UAE summers. 'Finishing by early afternoon means avoiding peak heat exposure, especially for those who commute or work in the field. It also opens up more usable daylight hours for rest, family or physical activity,' she explained. From a psychological standpoint, Dr. Al Marzouqi said earlier finishing times could reduce burnout caused by extended screen time late into the evening. 'Working until 6pm or 7pm, then spending the evening on phones or laptops, affects circadian rhythms. Earlier wrap-up times give people a natural pause and allow their brains to disconnect before bed,' she said. Flexibility Is Key Despite the benefits, Dr. Al Marzouqi cautioned that early starts are not a one-size-fits-all solution. 'Some people are wired differently. For night owls, pushing a 6am start might backfire and increase fatigue. Flexibility is key, and employers should consider offering multiple shift options where possible,' she advised. She suggested companies experiment with pilot programs to find the best fit for both employees and business operations. 'Even something simple like a 6am to 2pm trial twice a week can help identify what works best for both employee energy levels and business needs,' she concluded.
Mint
9 hours ago
- Mint
India is awash with luxury and lifestyle fakes. Now, brands are fighting back.
India's copycat economy is coming under pressure as global brands are starting to fight back. On Tuesday the Delhi High Court revived a long-pending lawsuit by American shoemaker Crocs Inc. against brands such as Bata, Liberty and Relaxo for copying its signature clog shoe design. The case, filed in 2014, had been pending for years before the court revived it this week. While the Crocs suit targets physical retailers, the copycat challenge for global brands has also moved online. Lookalike products that were once confined to local markets or grey channels are easily available on major e-commerce platforms. Some of these copies fall into the category of 'dupes", which imitate the style of high-end products without logos and often remain in a legal grey zone, but others cross into counterfeiting by replicating trademarks. Knockoffs are everywhere Digital marketplaces are flooded with lookalikes. A ₹2-lakh Hermès sandal copy is listed for ₹599 on one platform while replicas of Tory Burch handbags appear on another. Knockoffs of Marc Jacobs sling bags are available, too. You can also buy a replica of an ₹18,000 Labubu doll—created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung—for less than ₹1,000. Industry executives said this pointed to a growing 'dupe economy" in India, where platforms host products en masse that mimic global designs, while mostly avoiding legal consequences. French brand Longchamp's signature nylon totes have inspired lookalikes at a leading retail chain and Birkenstock-style cork sandals, priced at ₹5,000-8,000, are being sold for as little as ₹1,000 online. Social media is driving much of this demand, with influencers on platforms such as Instagram and YouTube frequently showcasing budget versions of high-end goods, contributing to the sales growth of lookalike products. Abhay Gupta, founder of Delhi-based consultancy Luxury Connect, said, 'The explosion of social media platforms and dominant e-commerce sites has made it nearly impossible to track the spread of luxury fakes and dupes. It's threatening the luxury industry's integrity, discouraging genuine buyers, and diluting brand value. We need stricter intellectual property enforcement and strong action against these platforms. A unified industry voice along with platform accountability is crucial." Second-order effect: Global credibility hit Gupta said India is becoming an important luxury market and such practices could dilute its global credibility. 'When mass platforms allow lookalikes of Hermès or Coach to flourish, they send a dangerous message—that originality is optional. If India wants to be taken seriously in the luxury ecosystem, we need sharper policing, better consumer awareness, and greater platform responsibility," he said. According to data available online, more than 64% of the world's fake luxury goods are produced in China. In 2021, counterfeit goods accounted for $467 billion in global trade. In India, a 2023 report by ASSOCHAM said 5% of all luxury apparel sold was counterfeit. Amazon said last week that its global Counterfeit Crimes Unit has helped secure over $180 million in court-ordered penalties and prosecuted more than 65 individuals worldwide since 2020, including in India. 'That said, people buying fakes were probably never the customers of the original," said Neelesh Hundekari, partner at global consultancy Kearney, who specialises in retail and luxury. 'But if they buy [fakes] out of aspiration, they may become future [genuine] buyers. Most genuine buyers are generally aware of where they can buy originals, but if there aren't enough genuine channels available then these buyers may also end up being cheated." 'Zero tolerance': What platforms said In mid-June Mint was able to find fakes of several luxury and high-end brands such as Saint Laurent and Tory Burch handbags on Amazon India in mid June. These were priced around ₹7,000—well below the price of the original products. We sent several queries about this to Amazon on 18 June, to which it said it operates as a third-party marketplace where sellers list and sell products in accordance with applicable laws and selling policies. A spokesperson said, 'We have a zero tolerance policy for counterfeit products and continuously monitor our marketplace. We act quickly to protect customers and brands, including removing counterfeit listings and blocking accounts. We have several brand protection programs under which we collaborate with brands to protect our customers from bad actors attempting to abuse our marketplace." Some listings were removed after we sent the queries, but new ones have since surfaced with slightly altered brand names. FirstCry, which was advertising fake Labubu dolls through Instagram ads until late last month, did not respond to Mint's listings were later taken down. Meesho declined to comment on specific products but said its Project Suraksha initiative has multiple strategies to tackle counterfeits and educate sellers. A spokesperson for Myntra said the platform ensures only authorised brands are listed, and has strict systems in place to check authenticity. However, it added that design decisions rest with the brands themselves. Swati Sharma, partner and head of intellectual property at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, said India's laws do provide protection against counterfeit goods and misleading listings, but enforcement remains weak and reactive. 'Products that copy a luxury brand's design or logo qualify as counterfeits," she said.. She added that courts have taken a strict view in such cases, holding marketplaces accountable when they have promoted or enabled the sale of such products and granting remedies including injunctions, raids, seizures and damages. A glimmer of hope Despite these challenges, several global luxury brands have secured legal victories in India in recent months. In 2024 the Delhi High Court barred two businessmen from selling fake Louis Vuitton goods through platforms 'Mr. Shoes' and 'Mr. Retail,' ruling they had misused the brand's name. In June, Huda Beauty obtained an injunction against Vision Enterprises, which had imported 28,368 counterfeit cosmetics intercepted at Kolkata Port. Noida-based intellectual property lawyer Safir Anand of Anand & Anand said influencers who promote lookalike products could also face legal consequences. 'Such practices erode brand value, betray consumer trust, and are not protected under law," he said. He added that even if influencers don't claim a product is original, promoting it as a cheaper version can still amount to 'passing off" and may thus violate IP laws. 'There's been a big rise in takedown notices," Anand said. 'Luxury brands are stepping up legal action, with quicker trials and stricter enforcement. But tougher penalties—like higher statutory damages and longer jail terms—are still needed to deter offenders and move beyond easy out-of-court settlements." Mint reached out to the India representatives of Tory Burch, Coach, Gucci India and the Kering group, which owns brands including Saint Laurent, Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta, but hasn't yet received a response. A global problem Courts around the world have been hearing cases involving counterfeit and lookalike products as countries including Singapore, the US, and some European Union nations have been cracking down on fakes, lookalikes, and IP infringements regularly. Singapore has strict penalties including jail time and fines. The EU protects logos and product shapes and appearances, and has customs surveillance across member states. Thanks to these efforts, some brands have scored legal victories in key markets. In the US, Nintendo won a $7 million judgement in March against two Amazon sellers who were found guilty of selling counterfeit figurines it makes under the brand Amiibo. Crocs won a case in China late 2024 when a court upheld its design patent. The court ordered local shoemakers that had copied its signature clog shape – similar to the case in India – to pay damages. In February, a single-judge bench of the Delhi High Court awarded ₹339 crore to Beverly Hills Polo Club for trademark infringement by Amazon's private label Symbol. However, the order was stayed this week after Amazon appealed. The final hearing is scheduled for October.
Economic Times
16 hours ago
- Economic Times
Nap in Office
There exists a sacred, unsung bliss that exists even in your tubelight-lit office life: the afternoon nap . In a world of meetings, notifications and unrelenting emails, slipping into slumber at one's desk - or in a quiet corner - is both anarchic and poetic. A brief withdrawal from capitalism can do capitalism a world of postprandial recharge is one of Western civilisation's lost treasures - even as Eastern and Latin civilisations, where it holds on to their own, still value it. The air conditioner hum, the tilt of your chair, and the post-2 p.m. dip in pace at the workplace cast you to a restorative isn't laziness. Smart people rightly call it a ' power nap ' - 20-odd mins of shuteye can recalibrate creativity, sharpen decision-making, and transform a tired grunt into a gigabyte-sized the post-nap return is glorious. Emails seem less threatening. The office coffee tastes, well, decent. Suddenly, that impossible project begins to look like a Sudoku puzzle waiting to be solved. And if anyone asks? You were strategically visioning.
