Tuesday 25 October 2011

As others see us

You know the thing where one is asked to use three words to describe oneself?  Actually, I was told recently about an interview for a headteacher, where that was used as the final question.  One of the candidates gave, as one of his or her words ... "lazy."  No, didn't get the job.

Anyway, I came across this on a website recently (and I have put it up on Google+ so a few of you have seen it)
and the original attribution is there on the top right, though it had come along a few steps when I saw it - thanks to the person who devised it.  I shouldn't take it too literally - although, if the first words you see don't give a particularly positive image of yourself, you could give it a few minutes of thought.

I did, a few years ago, think of three words I might use to describe myself, but I admit that I can't remember them all now.  I'm pretty sure that none of them was forgetful, but maybe it should have been.  I will tell you the one I do remember, which is 'enthusiastic.' Bless her, hopeful Z of those years.

However, perhaps more telling would be for you to choose your words and then ask other people to choose words for you and compare.  I'm pretty sure that one of the three that many would pick for me would be:-

Sensible


I know, darlings, is there anything more dull? I wouldn't use it to describe myself, but I'm called it too often to deny it.  It's not used as an insult or criticism, I do appear to be a person that people are inclined to be kind to ... although I don't mind in the least being criticised.  How can one learn if one doesn't listen to what people say?  I don't suppose I'll ever learn much, on the other hand - no, I'm starting to ramble.

I don't think it is on the list above, by the way, that is put there simply for you to amuse yourselves for a few idle minutes.

And this morning, I have mostly been making potato soup.  Sensible, you see?



23 comments:

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Z:
After passionate and outspoken we stopped looking for the third. But, what fun! Just the kind of party game designed to ensure that Christmas goes along with its usual combination of euphoria and despair!!!

We might well try it!

LẌ said...

Sensible or not, I would like some potato soup with a few bacon bits and cheddar cheese on top. Please.

Unknown said...

'Charismatic', 'Patient', 'Talented'.
Hom mum!

Tim said...

It told me that I'm elegant, lovely and insecure. Well, two out of three ain't bad...

I'd go for creative, lazy, perfectionist.

Good game!

Z said...

On the website I found it, someone had commented that all the words were positive attributes - evidently, those were the only ones he had seen because there is quite a variety.

I saw patient, passionate, thoughtful and honest. Ahem.

I'd say I'm more of an imperfectionist, Tim.

The soup is rather good, LX, and there's plenty of it. You are welcome!

allotmentqueen said...

If the soup's that good, can I have the recipe please (I am a recipe junkie)

And I saw peaceful, sentimental, talented and wrestless (not sure about that last one), but then I also saw naive - well I don't think I'm naive, but I am gullible.

Anonymous said...

I saw happy, lazy and impatient! I'd be interested in the potato soup recipe too please.

Blue Witch said...

I saw naive, lovely and sweet.

I've nearly stopped laughing now. Perhaps I saw antonyms?

Z said...

I didn't use a recipe, I just softened an onion in butter, added celery, then garlic and potatoes, then water and cooked gently, seasoned it and added milk. I used an electric hand-blender but left it a bit lumpy because I like some interest in the texture. I've come to the conclusion that I like onion with potatoes more than the traditional leek - again, I think that's the texture.

Most people see the nicer words first, BW, that's the thing. You're lovely, certainly, but not sweet ... savoury, perhaps?

No one has quibbled with sensible, I see.

Z said...

Well, possibly LX.

How do we know said...

sensible? The word that comes to mind first when i think of you is - Beautiful! in every sense of the word..

Tim said...

Not so sure about the party game. There'll be about 22 people where I'll be on Boxing Day, most of whom will start the day as friends ... I have however thought of a variant, which I might stick on my blog later.

Z said...

That was unexpected, and lovely, HDWK. Thank you xx

Good-oh, Tim. Do keep your friends, whatever you do!

Dandelion said...

I love it. I got naive, patient, happy and lovely. Blue Witch, you must be doing it wrong :-)

Z said...

No, she's doing it Blue Witchily :-)

Anonymous said...

So I am sweet, restless and eloquent. Can't help, I always start from down upwards or from the end.
Other words are outspoken, passionate, talented, dramatic, sentimental, elegant - that are only the horizontals at a quick glance. I always like to find the inverted verticals.

Z said...

You are indeed, Mago.

Don't think that anyone has claimed lethargic yet. Might be a good one for me. Kind, anyone?

Blue Witch said...

I hate to tell you all this (I resisted this morning), but, this draws heavily on various psychological theories, which perhaps aren't being made clear to the participants in their experiment...

Z said...

It would surely only matter if one took it seriously, BW, Like the three words to describe me that I mentioned at the start, I'll have forgotten these in a day or so. In fact, I'd have to look to be sure of them now. And if it leads anyone else to make a judgement, I don't really care - you're all welcome.

Rosie said...

I always wondered if I was a bit luula and this confirms my fears.

Z said...

Anyone who isn't luula is a bit dull, Rosie. Though charming, I daresay.

Anonymous said...

I saw
Naive ......true
outspoken ........sometimes
sweet .......I hate that been described as sweet a little too often
peaceful .......I guess I have a calming effect on others

luckyzmom said...

The word I saw first was "serve", then "going", the last of which I wholeheartedly agree. I love going. Next "thoughtful" popped up. I am wondering at that. And my fourth word was "peaceful". Feeling pretty much the opposite lately. Resigned might be a better fit.

Now I will go back and find out how many words I can find. I really feel "luula" and wish I'd found it too!