Date Ideas for Different Personality Temperament Types

Stuck on ideas for a date, here are some quick ideas based on Keirsey’s 4 personality type temperaments:

SJ’s (ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTJ, ESFJ) are known as traditionalists or guardians –they tend to prefer safe, conventional dates such as going to the cinemas or staying at home to watch a popular movie (they tend to prefer one that’s getting rave reviews, rather than a unknown movie that could be a diamond in a rough or a stinker), meeting for a coffee at Starbucks, having lunch/dinner at a popular restaurant (again try to go for one that’s been getting good reviews rather than an unknown restaurant), picnic at a scenic spot, going for a walk along the beach or river together, visiting a historical monument (for the STJ’s) or popular art gallery (for the SFJ’s).

Dates to avoid: any highly unconventional or high risk/dangerous dates

SP’s (ISTP, ISFP, ESTP, ESFP) are known as artisans and experiencers – they tend to enjoy dates that give them rich physical sensory stimulation such as scenic bike rides, bowling, ice skating, surfing, canoeing/kayaking, rock climbing/abseiling, snorkelling/scuba diving, crafting (xSFP’s in particular), paintballing/laser tag (xSTP’s in particular), mini-golf, tennis, go-carting, going to a sports game, bungee jumping, water slides, music concert (xSFP’s in particular), taking a dance class together (xSFP’s in particular) etc.


Dates to avoid: any dates that have minimal sensory involvement/stimulation

NT’s (INTJ, INTP, ENTP, ENTJ) are known as the intellelectuals and conceptualizers – they tend to enjoy dates that give them intellectual stimulation such as taking a class together (language/cooking/music/wine appreciation), going to a science museum, seeing a stand up comedy act (most comedian’s are ENTP personalities), watching a documentary film or playing chess/cards/tactical/strategy games/sports together.


Dates to avoid: any dates that will involve minimal intellectual stimulation

NF’s (INFP, INFJ, ENFP, ENFJ) are known as the idealists and visionaries – they enjoy learning about people most, so activities they are most likely to enjoy are, visiting a new city/town, seeing a theatre or stage production, music concerts (mostly non-mainstream or acoustic music), seeing a film (mostly foreign or non-mainstream films), possibly with an opportunity for deeper conversation over a coffee or drink at the end, if there is not much opportunity during the activity. Overall, I think for NF’s the company is much more of a priority than the location or the activity – they want to get to know you at a deeper level than just being fun/activity partners like SP’s.

Dates to avoid: any dates with minimal opportunity to communicate and get to know each other on more than a superficial level.