We Americans talk about Type A’s as being take-charge people, executives who run things. Actress Reese Witherspoon says her mother calls her “little Miss Type A.” She is super-organized.

In Japan, this BBC story item says, being a Type A is not a good thing. They are not talking personality types. They are talking blood types.

In Japan, a Type A is dependable, self-sacrificing but reserved and a worrier—the very opposite of what Americans think a Type A personality is. A true American Type A will mow down anyone on the path to meet the goal. They don’t know from worry. They just do.

Who’s right? There is no way to know but type-checking is a generalized system. Generalized systems tend not to work at the individual level as often as we might like

It is always intriguing to see how different cultures gather information each deems most important to making the most important decisions.

BBC

“People in most parts of the world do not think about their blood group much, unless they have an operation or an accident and need a transfusion.

“But in Japan, whether someone is A, B, O or AB is a topic of everyday conversation.

“There is a widespread belief that blood type determines personality, with implications for life, work and love.”

…”The received wisdom is that As are dependable and self sacrificing, but reserved and prone to worry.

“Decisive and confident – that is people with type O.

“ABs are well balanced, clear-sighted and logical, but also high-maintenance and distant.

“The black sheep though seem to be blood group B – flamboyant free-thinkers, but selfish.”

Source: BBC, April 28, 2010 (Latest update)