QOTD #50: Are you a "Type A" or a "Type B" personality?

Are you a Type A or a Type B?
Someone asked me this recently and I really didn't know how to respond.
People have described me as type A in the past. But people also have described me as accepting and easy-going, which would be Type B.
Perhaps I'm inclined toward a type A but choose not to be? Does that even happen? Or am I a Type A who is living in denial?

And when you describe someone as Type A, is that just a polite way of telling someone that they are a bitch or prick?

What are you? A or B?
What do you want to be?
How do you get along with others?

 

I'm pretty opposed to categories like this because they don't in my experience fit very well. There are aspects of my personality that are very type A, but there are other parts of me that are definitely not. Context plays a part too.

I kind of get why people do it. MBTI, type A/B, astrological signs, whatever. It gives you a sort of tribe to belong to. But it's all horoscoping; either it's vague enough that it can apply to anyone, or people act out the archetype because they think it's how they should behave. They fulfill a role.

Sometimes I'm thinking, sometimes I'm feeling. Sometimes I'm introverted, sometimes I'm extroverted. Sometimes I'm assertive, sometimes I'm passive. None of these boxes fit me, and I reject out of hand the idea that I must be classified and categorized.

So I don't really think I'm either. Or maybe I'm both. However you choose to look at it I suppose.

I suppose these things have value as a tool for introspection or self-assesment. But I would advise against taking them too seriously.

 

I'm definitely type B, sometimes to a fault.

I think the thing about type A mentioned in the OP is that it's more obvious when type As get carried away. It's like the difference between extroverts and introverts.

 

I agree with chunks of what @Martian said. I'm not necessarily opposed to going through the exercise of trying to identify strong personality traits. But I do find that some people seem to over rate them, or feel that if you test out as one that that's just how you need to be, or how it's always okay to be, no matter what the circumstances. Some of the more involved tests I can take and get very different results based on the day, even if I'm trying to be honest and accurate in my answers.

I think the most successful people (not just speaking financially or career wise, but the happiest in life) are those that can adjust and adapt, sometimes even almost morph from one to the other when the circumstances call for it.

To answer your question personally, I think I exhibit a fair amount of both personalities' traits. I think my natural instinct is to be more Yype A, but I've worked hard to try to cultivate some of the positive aspects of Type B. I think there's room to switch back and forth as circumstances dictate, and an advantage if you can figure out how.

 

Type A at work.
Type B at home.

Complete polar opposite.

 

I think I need to start describing myself as a type B+ personality if someone asks me that question. Thank you for that!

 

Preach it, Brother!

 

I think where I run into issues with this is...
I really, really love order in my surroundings.
I constantly am adjusting things and ordering them differently.
A lot like my littlegirly, actually... no wondering where she gets that from.

But I welcome people who want to add a little chaos to my order. Just gives me more to tidy. Things get pretty boring on my own.

Unless they're an outright slob (or a child I'm supposed to teach life skills), I won't bother to correct them. Now, if they're inconveniencing those around them with their slovenly crap, then I'm going to inform them, and put them in their place if the need arises. Especially if they're a full-grown adult who should know better.

There are those who see my order and assume I don't want it disturbed. They see me fixing things and making lists and tidying, and they're completely overwhelmed and walk away. It's a shame, really, because if they weren't so timid and actually spoke to me about my compulsion for order, they would probably enjoy sitting back and letting someone else take over the work for once.

 

I always thought I was Taipai
Until I went down to Bombay
As I melted some ghee
I turned into type B
And that's what I've been to this day

 

I'm generally perceived as a Type A, but my priority is in getting the job done. If I'm not the best leader for the project, I'm happy to step aside. I'm also pretty good at manipulating people to do what I want while thinking the idea is theirs. I like order with an edge of chaos, and I am perceived as a talker and a listener, but one is a skill I've cultivated.