Scientists love to observe. And they will observe just about anything, so long as it interests them.
Some scientists like to observe human behavior, and boy, do they ever have their work cut out for them. I recently read an article that reported on one of those studies. Those smarties looked at our “personal habits” and deciphered what those habits mean about our personality.
And so it begins.
It all comes down to toilet paper, doesn’t it? I mean, that seems like the Excalibur, the Chicken Crossing the Road, the big line drawn in the proverbial sand. The age-old question. Over or Under.
Yes, those scientists took a look at this one. They concluded that people who like to hang their toilet paper “over the top,” or “overhand,” are more dominant. Of course, that leaves the “down the wall” or “underhand” people as being more submissive. They also found that some extremely dominant types “even admitted to switching the paper direction in other bathrooms they visited.”
Now, I don’t consider myself to be a very dominant person, at all. Sure, I have an opinion. And I am certain that if I were Queen of the World, things would run as smooth as silk. However, I haven’t dominated anything since I played the backfield in competitive soccer, some 35 years ago.
I am, however, a fierce defender of the “overhand” toilet paper schematic. And yes, I have switched it around the right way in other restrooms, mostly public in nature. It is like putting my shoes on the correct feet. It has to be this way or it just plain uncomfortable.
So. From the get-go, I’m a little leery about the results of this particular scientific study, but I will continue to examine this.
Since we were just speaking of shoes, they were the next thing on the science list — the type of shoes we wear. I should say, as a disclaimer, that most of the time — and I do mean most — I wear Brooks Running Shoes. And they have to look pretty new. I have an extreme aversion to beat-up shoes.
Their results indicate that people who wear comfortable shoes tend to be relatively agreeable. Can you be both dominant and agreeable? I think not. Unless of course, you are passive-aggressive. Which becomes an entirely different study. And what about me being picky about the tidiness of my shoe? They say those with “new and well-maintained footwear” have a more anxious persona. Okay. That one is spot on.
As for the rest? Funny, it seems. Ankle boots are generally worn by those who are more aggressive. Wearing uncomfortable shoes implies that you are a calm person. I think it might depend on the day for a lot of shoe-wearers. I guess if the shoe fits.
They covered things about how we answer our email, how we walk, and whether or not we are punctual. “By analyzing the participant’s time of arrival, they found punctual people were more conscientious and agreeable; being early was connected to neuroticism. And those who are chronically late tended to be more laid-back.” I’m on time, or early. Reliably.
Finally, they broke down how we shop. They say there are just two types of shoppers, and they categorized them a such: the “explanation fiend” and the “explanation foe.” A “fiend” is the type who has to scrutinize every single cupcake wrapper in the aisle, before making a selection. If even then. On the flip side? A “foe” will quickly decide and be done. Those science nerds say that the fiends are the ones who rely on cognitive reflection. This means that they analyze information to death. They can be highly detail-oriented. Explanation “foes” don’t do well with details and prefer more general information.
I think they left out the third kind of shopper, who is the quality-name-brand shopper. Meaning I pick Charmin Soft toilet paper every time. Quickly. I choose Hellmann’s Mayonnaise every time. Quickly. And I pick Lay’s Classic Potato Chips. Every time. And yes, quickly. I know what I want, and don’t waste any time retrieving that article.
Oh. I’m all about science. But sometimes, I fear these broad brushstroke studies sometimes miss the point, when it comes to personalities. We are unique. There is not another one of you anywhere on this spinning planet. I am the only Polly like me ever. There are 7.6 billion unique people all around us.
It is an amazing and wonderful something. A thing to rejoice in. We are here, making our part in this world, moving through, as both student and teacher. Our uniqueness makes this so. And we have to offer what no other person can offer this world. That is our persona. Our unique selves. That is the beauty of us.
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“Being a one of a kind means we are automatically the best in the world at what we do.”
― Victor Williamson
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“When someone shows you who they are, believe them; the first time.”
― Maya Angelou
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“It is good people who make good places.”
― Anna Sewell, Black Beauty
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