"What's your blood type?" is a question I've been asked over and over again since coming to Japan. In Japan, sort of like Zodiac signs in the West, it is widely believed that your blood type has great influence on your personality, and is also used to determine horoscopes and so on. Apparently, around 100 years ago, a doctor researched the relationship between blood type and personality and came to believe that you could determine what kind of personality a person has, or will have, from their blood type alone. Even though it's been proven to have no scientific basis whatsoever, it seems many Japanese people still believe in these distinctions to a certain degree. Therefore, when I to the question above reply that I have absolutely no idea, I'm often met with shock and disbelief, usually followed by the question: "But what if you're in a traffic accident, and suddenly find yourself in a hospital needing a transfusion??" I guess it seems reasonable that just before I fall into an unconscious state, I'll be able to mumble to the ER staff this important information of my human makeup. Anyway, the reason I'm writing about this is that I recently took a health check (needed for a scholarship application) and thus finally got an oppurtunity to find out which one of the four blood types, A, B, AB or O, is actually running through my veins. The most common blood type in Japan being Type A, this would also serve as a test as to whether I had actually turned Japanese or not. Erm, anyhow, the results came yesterday, and I present to you, in all its glory, my blood type certificate:
Wow. So I'm Type O then. Which incidentally is one of the most common blood types found in Europe and America, so not too surprising I guess. So what does that say about my personality? Here's a definition of Type O-personalities I found on the internet, judge for yourselves:
"Type O Blood people are said to set the mood for a group and to take on the role of creating harmony among its members. Their image is one of taking it easy, of being peaceful and carefree. They are also thought to be big-hearted and benevolent, and they tend to spend money on others generously. O Types are generally "loved by all." But, they also, surprisingly, have a stubborn and strong-willed side, as well, and tend to secretly have their own opinions on things. On the other hand, they have the flexible, adaptable side of readily accepting new things. They are easily influenced by other people or by what they see on TV. They seem to appear level-headed and trustworthy, but they often slip and make big blunders inadvertently. But that is also the point that makes O Types lovable."