If you just can't find that special someone, take a lesson from the Japanese. "What's your type?" has a very literal meaning: blood type. In Japan, this is the hot new way to find everything from true love to a new job.
The Associated Press reports that even though scientists roll their eyes and say it has zero value, many in Japan pay no attention. They are convinced that a person's blood type is the secret to his or her personality.
What does your blood type say about you?
Type-A people are farmers. They are shy, introverted perfectionists. They are considerate to others and cannot tell a lie easily. They are loyal to friends and coworkers. They can be secretive, though, and don't often share their feelings. They don't hold their liquor well.
Type-B people are hunters. They have independent spirits with strong personalities. While they don't care what others think of them, they are extremely passionate about the things they hold dear. They can be shallow, lazy and quite impatient.
Type-AB people are humanists. They are an unpredictable, distant lot, but tend to use their heads over their hearts. They are good with money. They seek accord and so work well as mediators; however, they can be viewed as two-faced.
Type-O people are warriors. They are outgoing, expressive, and passionate. They are highly motivated and natural leaders. Blessed with a strong physical presence, they aren't afraid to gamble because they are so convinced they will win. They are natural athletes. They tend to be obsessive in their quest for success, and this can make them boring to others.
It may sound like a horoscope, but the Japanese public doesn't care. AP reports that even Prime Minister Taro Aso considers his blood type relevant enough to reveal it in his official profile on the Web. He's an A.
How far can this go?
- For Japanese who are seeking love, matchmaking agencies provide blood-type compatibility tests.
- Some companies actually base hiring decisions on an applicant's blood type. It's routine, although not legal, to ask about blood type during an interview.
- At some kindergartens, children are divided by blood type.
- Training for the Japanese women's softball team that won the gold medal at the summer Olympics in Beijing was customized for each player based on her blood type.
- There is a new word in Japanese, "bura-hara," meaning blood-type harassment.
Your blood type, which is genetically determined by the proteins in the blood, has nothing to do with your personality. Satoru Kikuchi, associate professor of psychology at Shinshu University called it sham science. "The idea encourages people to judge others by the blood types, without trying to understand them as human beings. It's like racism," he told AP.--From the Editors at Netscape
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