Apart from being a main summer food group, ice cream can tell a lot about a person. Let’s break this down into a 2 part discussion. First, we will explore the theoretical responses that may come from asking someone: If you are an ice cream flavor, which one are you? And Why?

Then, I will go ahead and share my absolute favorite ice cream flavor and some of my favorite spots to visit for a cold treat this summer. Neigh, all year round, let’s be honest. 

Now, what happens when you ask someone this question? Their response will tell you a lot. Do they sit back and ponder, trying to come up with a thoughtful answer? Will they scoff and say “that’s so silly”? Or perhaps they pick a quick flavor and skip the why. That alone lets you into their personality, temperament, or DISC profile.  

Let’s dig in.

The Pondering Type: This person takes the question seriously. They might weigh vanilla bean against salted caramel before landing on something unexpected like lavender honey. They’re thoughtful, detail-oriented, and probably the friend who reads the whole menu before ordering. In DISC terms, think C (Conscientiousness), which means analytical, deliberate, and they absolutely have a reason for their answer.

The Eye-Roller: “That’s a silly question.” Okay, but why is it silly? This person may be a high D (Dominance); they are direct, task-driven, and not interested in hypotheticals that don’t move the needle. They’re not being rude, they’re just efficient. Ask them about their five-year plan instead and watch them light up.

The Instant Responder: Chocolate. Done. No why needed. This is your high I (Influence) person, who is enthusiastic, decisive, and already thinking about the next thing. They don’t need to justify their joy. They just want to enjoy it and move on to the fun part of the conversation.

The Steady Classic:  Vanilla. And they mean it unironically. Before you judge, hear them out: they’ll tell you vanilla is the most complex flavor in the lineup and they’ve thought about it more than you’d expect. This is your S (Steadiness) type who is reliable, warm, consistent, and deeply underestimated.

Of course, people are more than one flavor and more than one letter. But the way someone approaches this question is often more revealing than the answer itself. 

Why This Works as an Ice Breaker

The beauty of “what ice cream flavor are you?” is that it’s low stakes with high return. Nobody feels put on the spot about their career or their opinions, because it’s ice cream. And yet, as we just saw, the answer opens a window into how someone thinks, what they value, and how they like to engage.

It works at a dinner party, a first date, a team meeting where everyone’s still a little stiff, or even a job interview if you want to see how someone handles a curveball. The question invites people to be playful, which is when you often see who they really are.

A few ways to take it further:

• Follow up with “why?” if they skip it as the reasoning is always the most interesting part.

• Compare answers. Do you gravitate toward the same flavor families, or are you complete opposites? Complementary personalities often show up here.

• Use it as a segue. “So you’re a rocky road person…you like adventure but you need the chocolate foundation.” People love being seen, even through a silly metaphor.

The best conversations start somewhere unexpected. Hey, maybe even go grab a sweet treat together!

My Best Recommendations after years of research

I have to disclose that my all time favorite ice cream flavor to eat is mint oreo, not to be confused with mint chip! I often like to switch it up so here are a few local and not so local recommendations that offer a wide variety of flavors.

Great ice cream places near Fountain Square:

1. Square Scoop – in the heart of fountain square. No, the ice cream comes out in traditional spherical scoops, not squares.

2. Dairy Queen – only open for walk up and drive through in warmer weather months and I have a soft spot for a twist cone on a hot summer’s day.

Ice cream to bike to:

1. Lift Off Creamery – Irvington. I have not personally been there, but I have a reliable source that says he scoops a mean dish.

2. BRICS (Broad Ripple Ice Cream Station) located along the Monon in a restored railroad depot with lots of flavor options!

3. Kroger – Obviously BYOSpoons or get it home to the freezer for repetitive ice cream goodness.

Ice Cream to Drive to:

1. The Igloo – Silver Lake, IN. Way off the beaten path, but this small town (one stop sign kinda town) ice cream stop will have a line across the parking lot in the summer evenings so get there early. Yes, I grew up near Silver Lake. No, they did not have the igloo until after I moved away, rude.

2. Culvers – It’s Custard, not ice cream…

By: Dr. Sara Zehr, PT, DPT, Ice Cream Connoisseur – Self appointed