Bloody Interesting, That.

This is a post from September 2008. I be bringing it back because it's kind of cool. The disclaimer is that I was clearly not into posting my sources at that time - blame it on post surgery brain?

Blood Types and Personality

When I was in the hospital for surgery, I requested that they let me know what my blood type was (tested due to the fact that I might have needed a blood transfusion in an emergency...thank God I didn't...they creep me out). I have been interested in a while as to different theories as to what your blood type might mean for your personality and your diet.

‘What’s your blood type?’ Isn’t the light-hearted chit-chat you'd would expect to hear at a party. Yet, in Japan wanting to know someone's blood type is as normal as asking what their star sign is. The Japanese believe it can tell you lots about your personality, from the career you should go for to your behaviour in relationships - even cartoon characters are given a blood type.

I'm not sure I buy any of this, but it's interesting. I'm a B + for the record, and I definately have some of the personality traits attributed to that. However, when I read 'Eat right for your Blood type" it was pretty much the opposite of what I am able to digest. Interesting stuff though.


In 1931 Japanese psychologist Furukawa Takeji suggested there was a link between personality and blood type. At the time, the study of blood groups was a new phenomenon. The four main blood types had only been identified in 1901 by physician Karl Landsteiner, who showed that each blood group has its own chemical makeup. Takeji asked thousands of people to fill in questionnaires, and deduced from the answers that the different groups have varying personalities. The theory is that our blood groups show who our ancestors were, and we've inherited behavioural traits from them.



TYPE A


Basic personality: you are sensitive, serious, calm, sympathetic, polite, honest, loyal, perfectionist, creative, punctual, reliable, artistic, obsessive, private, introverted, cautious, nervous and responsible.

Your strengths: you are a gentle soul, a natural people person and a good team player. People warm to your quiet, understated manner. You're a bit on the shy side and, while you enjoy the company of others, you also need time on your own. You're the type that always appears calm in a crisis. You never raise your voice, or throw a tantrum. You are very loyal, reliable and conscientious.

Your weaknesses: you often give more of yourself than you get back, and you're not as confident as you appear. In fact, you often feel as if you're not good enough and beat yourself up mentally over imagined weaknesses and failings. Too much stress can leave you feeling worried. You're prone to obsessive-compulsive behaviour and you also tend to suppress your emotions.

Your ideal job: you would be good in any job that requires attention to detail: lawyer, accountant, administrator, graphic artist, web designer, picture restorer, novelist, economist, architect, doctor, nurse, psychologist.

How you love: you have a sensible, traditional approach to love and the idea of marriage and family appeals to you. That's not to say you're immune to passionate affairs, but flighty, unpredictable people (typical type B's) aren't good for your mental health. You want someone as committed as you, so your best match is with another type A or with a type AB who is sensitive like you, but more easy-going.

Potential problems: you can be too perfectionist and uptight. Your tendency to repress your emotions could lead to health worries in the long term - for example high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and problems with your digestion.

Exercise and wellbeing: you'll benefit from activities and therapies that help you unwind. Choose calming mind/body exercises like yoga, pilates, t'ai chi and qi gong. Also, anything that helps you loosen up generally - walking, golf, hiking and dancing would be great for you. Talk to friends when you feel anxious or worried. If you find it really hard to open up, a course of psychotherapy might help. Massage (aromatherapy and sports) will help to keep you supple.



TYPE B


Basic personality: individualist, strong, creative, active, unpredictable, disorganised, sociable, persuasive, cheerful, easy going, adventurous, egocentric, forgetful, flexible, curious, and enthusiastic.

Your strengths: you have an engaging, charming manner. Bright, cheerful and fun to be around, you’re an original thinker and highly individual. You don’t like rules, but when you want to achieve a goal you’re passionate, hard working and totally driven. Your curious nature means you love to try things and your flexibility means you find it easy to adapt to new situations.

Your weaknesses: you like to do things in your own time and don’t like being told what to do. This means that you may clash with bosses, partners and family. You can also be very disorganised and untidy.

Your ideal job: You excel at coming up with ideas and innovations, so possible careers include: advertising executive, public relations, designer, artist, photographer, advocate, journalist, cook, hairdresser, alternative health practitioner, landscape gardener, vet, running your own business or entertainer.

How you love: you are very independent and your desire for freedom isn’t always easy for partners to understand. Type B’s are the classic bad boys and girls, with a reputation for being exciting, wild, selfish and unreliable. Your best match is another B type or an AB, who’s outgoing but also sensitive and mysterious – personality traits that will intrigue you.

Potential problems: when you’re out of balance you have a tendency to get lethargic and depressed. You become more unreliable, messy and disorganised than usual. You also become more susceptible to infections (colds, flu, stomach bugs etc.).

Exercise and wellbeing: the best exercise routines for you are sociable, not too aerobically intense and involve some form of mental challenge like martial arts, t’ai chi, walking, tennis, cycling, golf or climbing. Have a routine, because an element of structure in your life can help you deal with stress.



TYPE O


Basic personality: you are passionate, dynamic, ambitious, energetic, athletic, confident, impulsive, independent, flexible, strong-willed, proud, self-centred, sociable and extroverted.

Your strengths: you're a natural leader - confident, strong-willed, dynamic and entrepreneurial. These qualities can reveal themselves in different ways, so while some O's can be outspoken go-getters, others may work towards their goals in quieter ways. You're fast-talking and you make friends easily. You're a real innovator and a good organiser, and like to be in control. When you speak you say exactly what's on your mind. You are not afraid of showing your emotions.

Your weaknesses: you can be a bit of an adrenaline junkie and have a tendency to be hyperactive. You get bored easily and can be impatient, volatile and prone to temper tantrums.

Your ideal job: you love to be in control and you hate taking orders, so good choices include: politician, CEO, investment banker, teacher, or minister. You like to be in charge, whether that means you're self-employed or the head of a company.

How you love: you're passionate and hot-blooded. You're also confident and attractive to the opposite sex. You have a tendency to fall in love quite easily, but you like a challenge and are intrigued by partners who are slightly hard to get. Once you're in a relationship, you're tactile and very demonstrative. You like a lot of attention and can be a bit overbearing at times. Your best match is another O or an AB, who keeps you guessing.

Potential problems: you can be self-destructive and may use alcohol, cigarettes or food as a crutch when you're feeling stressed.

Exercise and wellbeing: work off stress with vigorous, aerobic activity such as running, squash, aerobics classes or dancing. Swap stimulants such as caffeine, chocolate and sugar for calming chamomile tea and healthy food. Relaxation techniques are important, as you can find to hard it wind down.



TYPE AB


Basic personality: you are cool, controlled, tactful, fair, moody, sociable, artistic, outgoing, creative, considerate, sensitive, critical, indecisive and emotional.

Your strengths: you have a beguiling chameleon-like quality, with characteristics from both ends of the spectrum. On the one hand you are bold, outgoing, unpredictable and exciting and on the other, you are cool, calm, controlled, considerate and diplomatic – even a bit shy at times.

Your weaknesses: you can come across as moody and changeable. Some people find you’re enigmatic and while this can be very attractive, it can also drive others mad, because they never quite know what to expect. You often feel detached from others, with a sense that you just don’t fit in.

Your ideal job: make the most of your ability to adapt to different situations. Good choices for you include: lawyer, sales rep, critic, teacher, alternative health practitioner, artist, waiter, social worker, psychotherapist or reporter.

How you love: you can be puzzling and mysterious, but also lively, entertaining and fun. This makes you very attractive, so you’re never short of potential admirers. Partners don’t quite know where they stand with you and this seems to make them try harder. You can get along with any of the other blood types.

Potential problems: you can feel unbalanced and flighty at times and find it hard to make up your mind about things. You’re prone to dramatic mood swings.

Exercise and wellbeing: intersperse active, social times, with time on your own. Try to spend 15 minutes a day in silence. Ground yourself regularly spending time getting close to nature. Sometimes you worry too much about maintaining harmony and as a result you internalise your true feelings too much. If you find it difficult to open up, you could try some other forms of self-expression, such as dancing, writing and painting.


Hmmm. Interesting.