Blood Types and Personalities

When I spent my week with the guests from Korea last week, there was lots of talk about what blood type a person was. Why? Because in Japan and Korea, lots of people believe that a person's personality is dictated by what blood type they are. In Korea, there was even a movie called My Boyfriend is Type B about how type B guys are jerks (I'm also a type B by the way, and my last girlfriend even went as far to say that I was just like the main character in this movie. Of course, I highly disagreed!).

This kind of importance on blood type is only relevant in Japanese and Korean culture for some reason. Here are the typical traits for the various bloodtypes:

Type A:
People with blood type A have a deep-rooted strength that helps them stay calm in a crisis when everyone else is panicking. However, they tend to avoid confrontation, and feel very uncomfortable around people. A types are shy and sometimes withdrawn. They seek harmony and are very polite, but all the same feel that they never really fit in with others. A types are very responsible. If there is a job to be done, they prefer to take care of it themselves. These people crave success and are perfectionists. They are also very creative, and the most artistic of all the blood types, most likely because of their sensitivity.

People with blood type A are also likely to be considered classic "type A's": stressed and conscientious.

Type B:
People with blood type B are the most practical of the blood groups. They are specialists in what they do. When they start a project, they spend extra time understanding and trying to follow directions than others might. When they are doing something, all of their attention is focused on it. They tend to stick to a goal and follow it through to the end, even if it seems impossible. They tend to be less than cooperative, as they like to follow their own rules and their own ideas. They are individualists. B type people pay attention to their thoughts a little more than their feelings, and therefore can sometimes seem cold and serious.

People with blood type B are often considered more relaxed, freewheeling, and unconventional than other types, although not necessarily to an unacceptable degree.

Type O:
People with blood type O people are outgoing, energetic and social. They are the most flexible of the blood types. They easily start up projects but often have trouble following through because they give up easily. They are flighty and not too dependable. O types always say what's on their mind. They value the opinion of others and like to be the center of attention. Also, people with O blood are extremely self-confident.

Type O, the most "average" blood type, is considered the best type in Japan.

Type AB:
People with blood type AB are hard to categorize. They can have characteristics on both ends of the spectrum at the same time. For instance, they are both shy and outgoing. They easily switch from one opposite to another. AB people are trustworthy and responsible, but can't handle it when too much is asked of them. They don't mind doing favors or helping out, as long as its on their own conditions. People with this blood type are interested in art and metaphysics.

AB is considered the worst blood type. In predictability-loving Japan, they're loose cannons. They also like to set their own conditions and reserve the right to drop out when things don't meet their expectations. They're known to be sensitive and considerate—at times—but it just isn't enough to balance out the flaws in this blood type. For a while, some companies tried dividing their employees into work groups based on blood type, and no one wanted to work with the AB group.

Like I said earlier, I'm a Type B and I have to admit that the description above is pretty damn accurate. But of course, there are traits from the other blood types that apply to me too. These are kind of like horoscope readings I guess. Very general, but also appearing to be quite accurate at the same time.

Type B people are also generally very strong minded and combined with my last name of "Choi", that's a dangerous situation. Why? Because in Korea, people with the last names of "Ahn", "Kang", and "Choi", in that order are considered to be the most stubborn. So for me personally, both of my parents are "Choi"'s, and together with my Type B blood, I guess there ain't no changing this mind once it's made up! LOL

So what blood type are you, and does the above description match your personality?