Does Being A Type-A Personality Make Me OCD?
Nov 21st, 2006 by What's Gotta Go
All you non Type-A’s don’t get to weigh in on the vote, because you just don’t understand. There is an order to life that many people just don’t recognize, and it is up to those of us that do to make sure things are put in their proper place. To say that I am routine oriented is most definitely an understatement. I like to think of myself as an efficiency aficionado, which sounds much better. I’ll admit this can be good or bad, depending on the situation. I like to figure out the most efficient way for something to be done, and always do it that way unless I find out something even more efficient. Unfortunately this extends to things that likely can be done differently without any real consequence.
Take for example the commute to work. Yes, we all like this to be as short as possible (I think) and typically we take the route that gives us the shortest time in the car. How many of you try every possible route multiple times both morning and evening and compare when you leave work to the traffic flow. Ok, some of you perhaps. How about do you take into consideration the lights or stop signs along with left turns into traffic you make that will impact the possible wait time and therefore increase your drive time? And how about the shear number of turns you make and at what speed for consideration on wear and tear on your tires. Yep, I’m that bad. I know of one other person as bad as me in this way. He and I used to go to the same destination in two vehicles and, at the same time, take different routes as an unconscious test to see who arrived first. I know, straight to the loony bin for both of us.
If you think the driving habits are not that bad, let me continue. How about the old favorite of where you squeeze the tube of toothpaste. Yep, count me in for the bottom and work my way in to the end. Is there any question as to whether it is the most efficient? My wonderful wife is of course non-caring and squeezes from wherever her hand happens to have grabbed the tube. Does this bother me…well, a little, but not to the point of frustration. I just “fix” it every time I notice. Yes, that is correct. If I notice the tube is not at its most efficient point, I make the adjustment squeeze to everything right again in the universe.
How about toilet paper? Not the fact of whether or not there is sufficient left on the roll, no, that is too easy. Not having any is a whole other topic. I am talking about the direction it rolls. I can see many of you thinking, uh, never noticed and who cares. Me, I care. I much prefer it to roll towards me so a casual flick brings out what you need. My wife, again, doesn’t give this a passing thought. If the the roll is turning the “incorrect” direction, I will actually take the time to switch it. How bad is that?
Do you sort your bills in your wallet? This is of course assuming you have multiple bills of varying denomination to be sorted. How about the order the credit cards are in so the ones you use the most are easiest to access? Do you go so far as to vary what cards and other contents of your wallet/purse contain based on what you will be doing that day? How about where things are located in the fridge? Best use of space and most readily available?
The list goes on, and each thing pretty insignificant on its own, but put together they are beginning to make me wonder. As part of my concern I periodically buck my system and change something up just to make sure I can do it without feeling a panic attack. I don’t want to end up locking my doors 5 times and feeling compelled to step over cracks. It may work in the end for Jack Nicholson on the big screen, but I am pretty sure my family would strap me in the white jacket before then. I’m ok, you’re ok, we’re ok. Whew, back to work.
Jeremy,
No, being a Type A does not make you OCD, however, after reading your post and with absolutely no education in psychology, my friend, I can, with no dent to my conscious say, you are definitely OCD! :D
I too am a Type A, but I couldn’t care less about the tread on my tires.
For me, Type A means that there’s a place for everything, and it also means that if I’m not learning something or teaching someone something, I’m wasting my life. I become “creeped out” if I feel like there is something I should be learning about, and I’m either not learning it or don’t have time to. I almost become OCDish if a project I’m tackling is not perfect. That is my Type A personality. I couldn’t care less if you squeeze the box of raisins in the wrong place and brush your teeth with them. I also do not care about money, and it drives my husband insane. Jeremy, if you were married to me, I’m afraid my head might be in the shape of an iron frying pain, if you get my meaning. :) If I were married to you, your larynx would probably need either to be repaired or replaced. No one ever said I was patient. :)
Ok….since I didn’t put fine print on my rants that only women or people with teens could respond I will jump right in. LOL! I do not see me as Type A but I am married to one and gave birth to another…so I do feel my thoughts on the topic have credence. There are things to be said as a positive for a Type A personality. My husband who is an Architect is about as anal…excuse me Type A as they come. ïŠ (Sorry sweetheart)…
I can relate to you with your driving scenario…he will sit a read maps like most people sit and read the newspaper on a Sunday. I believe he has every known route to anyplace we have ever been or ever even thought to go all plotted out in detail. He knows distance traveled and gas consumption to most locations. And I as a non-Type A have come to rely on his expertise in travel planning as I get lost in my own home…no sense of direction. And before all trips he checks tires/oil/window washing fluid and map supply in the car (which I find overkill as he has them all set to memory).
Tooth past tube…he’s a bottom I’m like your wife…solution…two tubes. We’ve been married 21 years…believe me it’s the answer. ïŠ
Toilet paper roll…as it never EVER dawned on me which way the TP pulled off a roll before I married my hubby I go his way…over to keep him happy…it takes so little. ïŠ
Sorting bills…yep my hubby. He also wants his clothing in the closet hung all facing the same way and by color. Again I do this to keep him level…if mine are on a hanger it’s a good day. His socks all matched with little plastic rings as pairs…I’m lucky if mine match. His record collections are alphabetized…ok…you get the idea.
And my daughter is the same…I knew I had another one when at 18 months she was sorting her toys and needed to put everything back into the original containers. She is now attending a Science and Math Academy High School with hopes of Engineering in her future.
Would I trade my two Type A for Bs, Cs or Zs…nope. I love them and their graphs and lists and oddities. It’s all about compromise…after all I’m no prize myself!
Hmmm… I think perhaps for that virgin pina colada you mentioned in another post you should add a splash of rum :-D
I do have to agree with you on the bathroom tissue roll facing in one direction all the time – but for me it’s under and not over – and I will take the time to change it as well!
I do have a definite routine when I go to bed at night, and I can’t fall asleep unless I do this entire routine. So yeah I am a little OCD, and my vote is so are you!
Whats the opposite of Type A? Crikey you lot would drive me nuts. I’m totally scatter-brained, my life and my flat are both totally dis-organised. I don’t give a fig what side the toilet paper hangs from. Rather then work out a route to a place i’ve never driven to before, i’ll try and figure it out in my head until i’m lost, then decide to look at the map. And don’t even ask about the finances, i don’t even get a receipt when i go the ATM. OK My life’s a mess, but i like it that way. Ali, you’re a saint..i could never live with a man who wants his shirts hung the right way or his socks paired up in little rings…lol I just don’t have the patience for all that.
Never thought of myself as anal…erm, Type A. I would have described my husband as that, but after reviewing previous posts…I AM GUILTY!!! OMW, it bugs me to death if the TP is going the wrong way, and don’t even mention a cupboard door left open! I absolutely cannot leave it open! Then there is my little issue with loose hair. ICK, loose hair on anything or anyone drives me bonkers. I have been known to pick loose hairs off complete strangers!! (Sorry to anyone that I may have done that to) Since I don’t work outside of the home I haven’t had to worry about my route to work, so it isn’t something I mull over, but I used to spend no less than an hour setting up my schedule for the day. Thank heavens for my Palm PDA, without it I would waste an hour a day just going over my lists and schedule. I am the queen of lists! Oh no….perhaps I have issues…perhaps I am ANAL!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Jane,
Oh no saint here just willing to do my part as I never have to worry about directions, hiring a handyman (hubby can fix just about anything as read every manual), never need to worry about the cars or computer! And he cooks too! So there are perks…
Jeremy I am a type A. And that TP roll hast to come
from the top and towards me. And all the canned food
the labels have to be turned with the name facing to the front. Also all the coat hangers in my walk in
closet have to be plastic all the same color (white)
and facing all the same way. All the junk mail is sorted before I get in the house and thrown out or shredded. Also before I get in the house.
Pamela if you say you do windows can I adopt you?