TYPE E VS. TYPE R

By: B

Also seen in Industry Magazine

Justifying your choice of friends can be a chore. The older we get, the more jaded we get, and too often we wonder why we are still hanging out with this base of friends. This is particularly true when thinking of high school pals. Your one friend who never tried booze back in the day now keeps a bottle of Jack in his glove compartment. Another, who used to party, now decides that Golden Tee at the local chain deserves his Saturday night attention. So often, in so many situations, it’s ‘Why am I hanging out with these people?’ Using “type A” and “type B” to explain the behavior of our friends is practically useless. Not only are the categories broad and outdated, but most young people don’t even know their definitions.

Have no fear, for B has devised a new personality chart. It can help you rationalize your group of pals, and can justify why you still answer their phone calls. This is more accurate than an emode test, more exact than the Myers-Briggs. And also, it’s a breeze to explain.

There are really only two types of people in this world: type E and type R. There are varying degrees, starting at E-5 (the most extreme) and moving all the way right to R-5. These letters stand for Experience and Responsibility, two of the main motives for the decisions we make. These contrasting factors play into every decision at hand.

TYPE E

A type E personality is routinely motivated by factors related to experience. They gulp experiences with a desperate thirst, driven by new things, new ideas, new people, new surroundings. This need for different situations trumps money or promotions or stability. Watching a movie at home on a Saturday night is as enjoyable for them as using a porta-potty on the hottest day of the summer.

Contrary to popular thought, heavy boozing is not a necessary trait for type E’s. E’s aren’t necessarily boozehounds, they just value experiences over their responsibilities. A good rule of thumb: most heavy drinkers are E’s, but not all E’s are heavy drinkers.

You know many type E’s. They close down bars on Tuesdays, duck out of work to go to Twins games, skip class when the new Madden comes out. They can live with certain irresponsible traits if it is in the name of fun. Responsibilities take a backseat to experiences, and they usually have the stories to prove it. Your significant other does not like you hanging out with extreme type E’s.

TYPE R

Type R’s are driven by responsibility. They know what they need to do, and they get it done. Rarely do they exhibit a recognizable lack of discipline, because they have a to-do list in and on the top of their head. They know what they need to do, and they don’t often fall off course.

Type R’s are solid people. They don’t stay out too late or have many regrets, but rather work hard to meet goals. They don’t loaf on the couch when the grass is long. They don’t hand in papers late and they don’t forget anniversaries.

HOW TO JUDGE

The deciding factor is how important the issue of tomorrow is to us. Do you have to work early, but can’t stop watching Surviving Nugent until 2 am? Have you ever been too drunk to go to work (or still go to work, only to fall asleep in the bathroom)? You obviously have type E tendencies. Do you decide not to go out with friends because you have to do yard work the next day? Be proud of your type R personality, for you check off more on your list than do E’s.

The best part about this is everyone can freely admit their personality type, since both sides contain winning attributes. R’s love their discipline; they love how much they can get done by not succumbing to the sillier things in life. E’s are proud of the good times they’ve had. They love telling stories, love discovering new bands or staying up late to watch a movie on the tube. Their lack of restraint is a non-factor when weighing their happiness.

I’ve classified myself as an E-1. I have obvious tendencies of both, but more often than not my Experience side takes control. I recently fed my type R by not making plans Saturday night to write this article. However, when my friends told me of their plans to go to out, my type E took over and I joyfully wasted my evening, catching a buzz and hitting some new bars. Now it’s 1:06 AM on Sunday night and I’m wishing my type R side would stop being such a pussy and stick up for itself. This is the life of an E-1 personality.

TAKE ME TO THE TOP