Hostility Check!

So, admittedly I am stealing this one from one of my blogging cohorts. Yes, I'm short on ideas for my blog... I've got a kid approaching his first birthday and an upcoming apartment move, sue me.

Anyway, my ambitious colleague is going back to school and has begun taking psychology classes. In my personal opinion this is the equivalent of placing a hair-trigger uzi in the hands of a hormone-laden teenager hopped up on Red Bull. Still, it has produced some interesting insights from her and this blog is no exception.

She posted a list of questions which apparently gauge your hostility levels. Naturally, I don't really feel the need to measure my hostility levels since I typically exhibit SUCH an even temper (if you're not picking up on the sarcasm here, see my Road Rage blog). Since she has again put it out there for all to see (literary, people... not literally), I figured I'd do the same. According to her blog, more than 5 "yes" answers indicates serious levels of hostility. This should be good:

1. I often get annoyed at checkout cashiers or the people in front of me when I’m waiting in line.

Cashiers not so much, people in front of me yes. Look, I know it's a tough concept but you're in line to PAY FOR SOMETHING. Get out the wallet, start writing the check, open your purse, check back into reality... do SOMETHING to move things along. This is not a hard concept, people.


2. I usually keep an eye on the people I work with or live with to make sure they do what they should.

This only applies to work: I've stopped keeping an eye on other people BECAUSE it made me hostile. Not saying they don't need supervising, I'm just saying I don't do it myself anymore.


4. I believe that most people will take advantage of you if you let them.

Here's how I see it: give people enough rope to hang themselves with and they'll either throw it to you to when you need it or drop through the trapdoor and eliminate themselves. Put your trust people to begin with and IF they violate it, throw the book at them


5. The habits of friends or family members often annoy me.

Not really. Most people that annoy me aren't classified as either friends, and family gets the benefit of the doubt most of the time.


6. When I’m stuck in traffic, I often start breathing faster and my heart pounds.

Hell YES! Get the F out of my way! (sorry, Road Rage... remember?)


7. When I’m annoyed with people, I really want to let them know it.

Again, HELL YES! Do I actually do it? No... mostly because I prefer letting them let the world know on their own.


8. If someone does me wrong I want to get even.

Is this even a question? Getting even isn't enough; that just means they know what to expect the next time they cross me. If left to my own devices, I would say that "eye for an eye" is leniency at best. I'm not interested in getting even, I get satisfaction. Naturally, I haven't been convicted of a felony (yet) so I still edit this reaction. Doesn't mean I don't feel it, though.

9. I’d like to have the last word in any argument.

Always. And I thank my lucky stars that my wife allows me this luxury during our occasional differences.


10. At least once a week, I have the urge to yell at or even hit someone.

Once a week is too often, but depending on the week it does cross my mind. So does a jail sentence, though.


There we go. Maybe not the best state of mind to be in for a civilized society, but I think a little hostility keeps the sheep in line too. Hey, what's wrong with a little mental instability every now and then... it helps keep up with the masses!