How the selection of venue reflects values.

First dates are for first impressions. We size up potential paramours through everything from clothing to conversation, attitude to attire. Desiring to avoid narcissists and other toxic personalities, we are attuned to red flags during the early stages of a relationship, when we are most objective and less invested.

But beyond perceiving flamboyance, flash, and fashion, sociocultural preferences may provide additional clues to character. So what does your date’s choice in dining, entertainment, or culture say about their personality and their suitability as a potential mate for you?

Courtship caveat: Beware of jumping to conclusions. Before you judge relationship potential by restaurant selection, consider the evolving character of the narcissistic personality.

Narcissists as Cultural Omnivores

Source: Image by Candid_Shots from Pixabay

Hanna Shin and Nara Youn, in a study entitled “How Insecure Narcissists Become Cultural Omnivores” (2020),[i] examined how the personality traits of narcissism and psychological insecurity impact cultural consumption. They note that traditional elites — people who possess a high amount of “cultural capital” by virtue of their social class or education, distinguish themselves through participating in high culture. Frequently referred to as “snobs,” Shin and Youn note such individuals showcase their superiority by participating in highbrow culture. Yet this class has apparently evolved from sophisticated snobs into what prior research describes as “cultural omnivores” who not only enjoy highbrow culture, but also lowbrow culture.

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