Do You Run with the Herd ?

Do you speak your mind and opinions clearly, and stand by them, or do you tend to go with the flow and others’ beliefs ?

1. If you hear somebody gossiping about one of your close friends, how do you react?

a) You tell them straight out that the story is false, and not to go gossiping

b) You say nothing, but feel indignant

c) You ignore anything that sounds like opinion, but plan to ask your friend about anything that may be true

d) You rush to check the story with someone who knows your friend well, to see if it’s true

2. What sort of guy are you most suited to (guys doing this quiz, make the appropriate changes to this question if necessary) ?

a) An equal who challenges you, yet still respects you

b) Someone easygoing, who supports your goals and dreams

c) Someone who you admire, someone who teaches you new things and encourages you

d) Someone strong and protective, who pampers you and makes you feel secure and coddled

3. The latest trend is a color that does not look flattering on you. How do you manage to remain fashionable?

a) Stick to the colors that you know suit you best

b) Choose it for accessories against the background of a safer color

c) Buy one outfit in that color and test your friends’ reactions to it

d) Spread it on like jam and have second thoughts later

4. A politician you despise of, comes on TV and makes a speech that you definitely do not agree with. How do you voice your disapproval ?

a) You switch channels straight away

b) You listen, but interrupt, as though arguing in a debate

c) You listen if the speaker seems to be putting forward a convincing argument, but switch channels if the speech turns out to be nothing you haven’t heard before

d) You find yourself becoming interested in the speaker’s point of view

5. Your friends are all raving about Avril Lavigne, whose music you personally hate. You –

a) Think they all must be utterly tone deaf

b) Try to find out what it is they like about the album

c) Say, ‘Well, it’s very original and distinctive, I guess…’

d) Listen to the album again and wonder if it’s you who is utterly tone deaf

6. You’ve saved up for a DVD player, and at last you have enough money. Which brand do you end up buying ?

a) You go to the hi-fi store and check out all the features of the various brands, then choose the one you like the best

b) You ask the sales assistant for his/her help

c) You ask your friends what brand they have

d) You buy the one you saw advertised on TV, because the ad was cool

7. If someone at your work collects for a cause that you personally don’t agree with or sympathize with, what do you do when they ask for your input ?

a) Say frankly that you only give to causes you personally believe in

b) Prevaricate: You’re in a rush and you have no change, so you’ll do it later (but you don’t !)

c) Put in a little bit because you don’t like to be thought of as mean

d) Check to see what everyone else is doing and go along with that

HOW TO SCORE:

Mostly A’s: You know exactly where you stand, and you make sure that everyone else knows it too. You’re not afraid to speak your opinion at all. However, others may see you as having a closed mind, being too opinionated, or uncompromising. You find it difficult to see the point of view of the opposition when you’re arguing something. Try to leave some room in your opinions for others’ suggestions or new developments.

Mostly B’s: You’re not easily swayed, but you do allow some things to influence you. You’re respectful of authority, and of people you admire, and you often seek validation for your personal points of view. Remember that you are ultimately responsible for your choices, so you might as well make them your own.

Mostly C’s: You may be seen as being too democratic. You often find yourself backing down to the majority, because you like to ‘keep the peace’. Perhaps you have been bullied in the past, and this has forced you to become more passive in your interactions with others. Learn to trust your instincts more, and discover that people will accept you even though your views differ from theirs.

Mostly D’s: You are a very suggestible person, easily swayed by authority figures, experts, and the majority. You are uncertain of where you stand, and are thus easily persuaded by your peers to do many things. Learn to stand up for what you believe in, trust your instincts, and take your own point of view every once in a while. You’ll feel much better about yourself, and more confident, too.