What your tastes say about you

Take a quick informal poll among your team.

How many of you knew as a child that you wanted to work with animals?

How many of those same people would reach for ice cream over a hot plate of curry today?

Don't be surprised if you're surrounded by psychic, ice-cream loving individuals. It's no surprise to global market research firm DervalResearch. After surveying 500 people from more than 25 countries, the firm thinks it's found a link between an individual's job and food preference.

Based on the number of taste buds per square centimeter of the tongue-any where from 11 to 1,100 buds-the study separated participants into three categories: super-tasters, medium-tasters, and non-tasters. Super-tasters have the most taste buds and, therefore, are more picky with food, avoiding bitter, sweet, or fatty foods and alcohol. Common super-taster careers include entrepreneurs and ballerinas.

Medium-tasters-how the firm pegged female veterinary professionals-are easier to please. While they're not completely opposed to bitter or spicy food, they prefer sweet tastes. If given the option between a blonde or a dark beer, medium-tasters will choose the blonde.

Non-tasters have the fewest taste buds and can eat practically anything. Spicy, fatty, bitter, or super sweet, they'll gobble it and wash it down with a warm, dark beer. Male veterinary professionals, nurses, and rugby players are typical non-tasters.

So the next time you want to reward your team members for their stellar work performance, remember job and food preference go hand-in-hand. Treat your fellow medium-tasters to ice cream or brownies. And don't worry about the male team members. If the research is right,  they'll enjoy anything you bring to the table.