I’ll be honest—there was a time when I thought being cool meant wearing the right trainers, saying the perfect thing at the perfect moment, and somehow just knowing what was trending before anyone else. I’d watch people who just seemed to have it, wondering what their secret was.

However, it turns out that coolness isn’t magic. And it’s definitely not about fashion labels or sharp comebacks. It’s something a lot more interesting—and science actually backs it up.

The Global Coolness Study: A Surprising Discovery

One late-night rabbit hole led me to a global study that genuinely shifted how I think about people. Researchers asked nearly 6,000 people from over a dozen countries one simple question:

Who do you think is cool—and why?

The answers were striking. No matter where people came from—Tokyo, São Paulo, London—six traits kept emerging. That consistency stuck with me. Because it meant coolness wasn’t just a cultural thing. It was a human thing.

The Six Traits That Define Cool (According to Science)

I started mentally checking people in my life against this list, and it was bizarre how spot-on it felt.

1. Extroverted

These are the people who bring energy with them, even before they speak. Like that mate who can chat with anyone—from the bartender to your nan—and somehow makes everyone feel at ease. They’re not necessarily loud, just… magnetic.

2. Hedonistic

I’ve got a friend who will suggest a sunrise hike one day and drag me to a pop-up taco stand the next. It’s not about being over-the-top—it’s about loving life. They savour the moment, the meal, the memory. You feel more alive around them.

3. Powerful

Not the suit-and-tie, boardroom type of power. More like that quiet confidence you can’t fake. The kind of person who walks into a room and people instinctively listen. They don’t push for attention—they attract it.

4. Adventurous

One of my old flatmates booked a solo trip to Morocco after seeing a photo on Instagram. No overthinking. Just booked it. That’s the vibe—open to risk, open to surprise, and usually the one with the best stories.

5. Open

These are the people who’ll listen when you rant about something they don’t fully get—or agree with. They don’t shut down new ideas. They lean in. Whether it’s trying out a weird new sport or reading a book outside their usual genre, they stay curious.

6. Autonomous

Cool people don’t chase approval. They’re not trying to be liked by everyone—and that’s what makes them so compelling. Think of someone who wears what they love, not what’s trending. Someone who makes unexpected life choices and doesn’t feel the need to justify them.

Notice what’s missing?

No mention of looking like a model. No need to be rich. It’s all energy, approach, and a bit of boldness.

Cool ≠ Good: And That’s the Point

This is where it gets interesting. We tend to think “cool” and “good” go hand in hand—but they don’t always.
While good people are often warm, responsible, and reliable, cool people might be a bit more rebellious. A bit unpredictable. They push boundaries. Shake things up. Sometimes they get it wrong, but that’s part of the edge.

Coolness often includes traits like hedonism and power—not traditionally “moral” qualities, but definitely impactful ones. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about standing out—and sometimes stirring the pot.

Why Understanding Coolness Actually Matters

Here’s what I didn’t expect: once you know what makes someone cool, you start seeing it everywhere.

• In the colleague who speaks up when no one else does.
• In the cousin who changes careers in their mid-thirties and doesn’t care what people think.
• In the stranger at a gig who’s dancing like they couldn’t care less who’s watching.

Cool people influence the world around them—not by trying to fit in, but by daring to do things differently. And that, in a world full of sameness, is magnetic.

What I Took From All This

• Being cool isn’t about money or looks—it’s about personality and energy.
• The traits that define coolness—extroversion, hedonism, power, adventure, openness, and autonomy—show up in everyday people.
• Cool doesn’t always mean “nice”—but it does mean memorable.
• You don’t have to become someone else to be cool. You probably need to turn the volume up on who you already are.

So maybe today’s the day to try something different. Say what you really think. Wear the thing you love. Speak up. Dance, even if it’s awkward.

Because the truth is, coolness doesn’t come from trying to be anything other than fully, unapologetically yourself.