Psychology says people who like their eggs boiled, fried, poached, scrambled or as an omelette show distinct personality traits based on their preferences
You may start your day with a soothing boiled egg, a crunchy fried egg, soft scrambled eggs or a well-folded omelette, but your breakfast choice may say more about you than you think. No psychologist would baselessly say that the way you like your eggs cooked defines your personality, but a fascinating study in the UK suggested some interesting psychological links. A survey of over 1,000 adults in the UK, conducted by Mindlab International for the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) in 2012, looked at favourite egg styles. The researchers then compared participants’ food preferences with a number of personality traits and lifestyle habits, and found some interesting trends.It is important to keep in mind that they are correlations, not proof. The other way to say it is that if you like scrambled eggs you are not necessarily shy, and if you like fried eggs you are not necessarily adventurous. Instead the research highlights trends that emerged across the survey population. The wider scientific community has also found that personality influences our food choices. Research into the Big Five personality traits – openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism – has found that people’s eating habits often reflect certain aspects of their personality. But there is no established psychological theory out there right now that says one particular egg preference can accurately predict personality.
Boiled Egg (Canva)
That’s what the survey discovered.Boiled egg: According to a survey by Mindlab, those who prefer boiled eggs are usually spontaneous, energetic and a little less organised than those who favour other styles of egg. They don’t like planning every step, but enjoy going with the flow and taking advantage of unexpected opportunities. Think of a friend who takes a last-minute weekend road trip, packs in fifteen minutes and enjoys finding places without an itinerary. Such cavalier attitude is typical of the kind of personality boiled egg lovers have. They can thrive in jobs that require rapid thinking and adaptability. They are generally comfortable with change and rarely panic if plans are changed suddenly. But this easy-going nature can also mean missed appointments, untidy desks or leaving things till the last minute. Their flexibility often makes them fun to be around, because they rarely complicate things too much. Friends may like that you are willing to try something new without long discussions or endless planning.Fried egg: If you need a perfectly fried egg for breakfast, you might just have an adventurous soul, the survey says. Researchers found that fried egg lovers had a greater tendency to be open to new experiences. They enjoy exploring different ideas, cuisines, destinations and hobbies and are often comfortable stepping outside of their comfort zone. Think of someone who volunteers for a difficult project, learns a new language just for the hell of it, or books an international holiday after seeing an interesting travel documentary. This behaviour is a reflection of the curiosity and confidence of fried egg fans. These people are often more open to new things, than tradition. They might like to try their hand at recipes, redecorate their homes or come up with unusual solutions to day to day problems. Their willingness to take calculated risks makes them inspiring leaders and creative thinkers. Of course, they are adventurous too, so they will make rash decisions from time to time, but they tend to view mistakes as learning opportunities rather than failures.
Egg preferences and personality type
Scrambled egg: In the survey, scrambled-egg pickers were described as more reserved and cautious than many other egg lovers. They don’t open up to strangers immediately, but usually take some time to gain trust. They tend to enjoy deep conversations rather than large social gatherings and often keep their emotions to themselves. …The colleague who quietly completes every task on time, without looking for recognition, might be a scrambled egg lover. In friendships they are often good listeners who remember birthdays, give good advice and are there for people in times of trouble. Their cautious way of doing things also helps them to avoid needless conflicts. Rather than making hasty choices, they are inclined to consider various viewpoints before reaching a decision. They can be very reliable with such a thoughtful personality but sometimes their quietness can be mistaken for aloofness by others. Although they tend to develop deep lasting relationships once they feel comfortable.Omelette: Omelette fans were the most strongly associated with conscientiousness of all the egg preferences. The survey suggests they tend to be organised, disciplined and reliable. They enjoy planning ahead, setting goals and following routines that help them get things done. Think of a person who lays out the clothes for the following day the night before, has a highly organised calendar, plans vacations months in advance and rarely misses a deadline. These are the kind of habits that are often associated with omelette lovers. They are often dependable employees, business owners and family members due to their attention to detail. Friends know they can rely on them to arrive on the dot, to honour commitments and keep their word. Some could see them as perfectionists, but their methodical approach often pays off in the long run. They know that consistency is usually more important than short bursts of motivation.Poached egg: The most outgoing in the survey were those who love poached eggs. They generally enjoy meeting new people, participating in group activities and have busy social lives. Their optimism makes it easy for them to make friends and to adapt to new situations. Imagine you are at a networking event and one person walks up to strangers with ease, keeps the conversations going and leaves with several new contacts. That confidence is not unusual among many poached egg lovers, said the survey. Their enthusiasm is also contagious. They often inspire family members to try new activities, motivate colleagues during challenging projects and bring positive energy into social settings. They love being around people but also need a little quiet time to recharge for their next adventure.
Poached Eggs-Canva
What psychology has to say about food and personalityThe egg survey is fun, but psychologists have been studying broader links between personality and eating behaviour for decades. Research on the Big Five personality traits has consistently demonstrated that personality affects many aspects of daily life, including dietary choices. For instance, individuals with high openness scores are more likely to try new foods, and conscientious individuals are more likely to follow healthy eating habits and to have structured meal routines.Similarly, extraverts may enjoy eating in social settings, while introverts are more likely to prefer quieter settings.These findings suggest that personality might have some effect on eating habits in general. But scientists warn against assuming that a person’s taste for a particular food automatically reveals something about their character.Why these results should be taken with cautionThis study found statistical associations, not cause-and-effect relationships. What people eat for breakfast can be influenced by many things: culture, family traditions, convenience, health goals, childhood memories, and even what ingredients are in the kitchen. Perhaps someone eats boiled eggs because they’re on a fitness kick, scrambled eggs because they’re quick to make, or poached eggs because they love brunch cafés. Human personality is a much more complex thing than just one breakfast choice.You might love boiled, fried, scrambled, poached or an omelette, but your favourite eggs probably won’t give you the full picture of who you are. The next time you’re making breakfast, you might smile at the thought that the egg you pick is a sign of you being adventurous, organised, optimistic or spontaneous. Just don’t substitute it for a real personality assessment. Sometimes a fried egg is just a fried egg, after all -but it sure makes for some interesting breakfast conversation.
