Wednesday, 14 July 2010

• Down With the Sickness

  I was talking to Korean Lady the other day and I was saying something about how people like to come to me to ask my opinion about this font or that, or this X vs that X and I always kind of choose willy nilly because I'm Type B and am just not that picky.
  
  Then she asked, "Are you sure you are Type B?"
  
  OK, first of all ho, you were totally implying that I was, indeed Type A and was just not admitting it.
  
  Here's the thing: I associate Type A with sickness. I don't know if most people do (most people boast proudly that they are Type A) but I think that being Type A makes you, among other things, physically ill and hard to tolerate.
  
  WHAT! I SAID IT! TYPE A PEOPLE ARE OFTEN INTOLERABLE!
  
  I consider myself slightly tolerable and more times than not, simply don't give a shit about anything around me. I'm really concerned with my own things, particularly those related to being able to clothe and house myself, but things that don't involve my job don't really stress me out.
  
  Here is a poorly cited breakdown of Type A and B personalities from Wikipedia:
  

  Type A individuals can be described as impatient, time-conscious, controlling, concerned about their status, highly competitive, ambitious, business-like, aggressive, having difficulty relaxing; and are sometimes disliked by individuals with Type B personalities for the way that they're always rushing^{[citation needed]}. They are often high-achieving workaholics who multi-task, drive themselves with deadlines, and are unhappy about delays. Because of these characteristics, Type A individuals are often described as "stress junkies."

  Type B individuals, in contrast, are described as patient, relaxed, and easy-going, generally lacking an overriding sense of urgency. Because of these characteristics, Type B individuals are often described by Type As as apathetic and disengaged^{[citation needed]}. There is also a Type AB mixed profile for people who cannot be clearly categorized.

  The easiest way to solve this, of course, is to take a slew of online tests. Because random online tests are a surefire way to discover a multitude of things about yourself including: What is your spirit animal? (Otter) Are you Team Edward or Team Jacob? (Edward, surprisingly. This quiz must be jacked) And, of course, do you have a Type A personality? (I took a couple just to confirm.)
  
  Here were the results
  
  Test 1 -  Discovery Health Type A personality test Result: 73/100  (0 being Type B and 100 being Type A)
  
  You seem to have a Type A personality. Type A personality is characterized by an exaggerated sense of time urgency, competitiveness, anger and hostility. People who share certain characteristics with you are often concerned with the acquisition of objects and generally dissatisfied with the world, including oneself. You don't know how and when to relax. People probably get tense around you, and they tend to feel threatened in your presence. Continuous stress and allowing unexpressed feelings to pile up are not good for your health. You should start learning how to relax, to let go, and enjoy life. Work on your communication skills. Try to take it easy and be lazy sometimes. It might be hard and it would take some effort, but you certainly know how to pick up a challenge.
  
  Test 2 - Psychology Today Type A quiz - Result: 69/100  (0 being Type B and 100 being Type A)
  
  ~~~
  
  Anyway, the results show that I do, kind of have a Type A personality. I think because my husband is so laid back and very Type B, and I admire and appreciate his traits, that this kind of disappoints me. I think in general, my husband is a happier an mentally healthier person than me, and a lot of this is attributed to the fact that he is able to take life as it comes and generally see the glass half full.
  
  Now, let's back up.  Remember like 4 paragraphs ago when I said:
  
  "I consider myself slightly tolerable and more times than not, simply don't give a shit about anything around me. I'm really concerned with my own things, particularly those related to being able to clothe and house myself, but things that don't involve my job don't really stress me out."
  
  Funny thing about that. Because the tests often brought up things like waiting in line and dealing with traffic. Both of which I AM ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE about. I'm the little bitch that counts peoples' items in the 12 items or less line, and I make sure to give you dirty looks if you have even one more than 12 items. I once dropped the magic F-bomb in front of my mother in law when a car honked at me for no good reason. The F word! In front of my husband's mother!!! For shame!
  
  I often think that because I live with a Type B personality and I like him, that by association I am Type B, or have picked up on many of his Type B traits. Ha. Not true. I still kind of like to think that I'm type AB but I have a sinking feeling that this is false. And, not surprisingly, I suffer from a lot of the physical ills that Type A personalities suffer from, among them, ulcers and crippling acid reflux.
  
  Anyway. I guess I am Type A. But I am not proud of it. I've never understood people that were outwardly proud of being Type A, either.
  
  Are you Type A? Do you openly declare it or, like me, is it somewhat of a sore point for you? If you're Type A, what does that mean for you and your life? Is your SO also Type A or do you think that Type As get along better with spouses that are Type B? More questions? More questions? :)
  
  

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