What’s your blood type?
Is that a trick question?

As I was discussing very important subjects (!) with my Japanese colleagues, they suddenly paused, looked at me, and very seriously asked: “Nicolas-san, what is your blood type?”.
If it happens to you, don’t panic, you probably don’t need a blood transfusion because of a sudden hemorrhage.
No, the reason is that Japanese people care about blood types the same way some people in Europe care about Zodiac signs.
Blood type in Japan is sometimes used in today as a personality indicator. Now don’t ask me if they go as far as recruiting (or not) people based on this criteria. I don’t know.

Now, you should know that there is no scientific justification to it. It is about beliefs!

Blood type category (excuse me for generalizing and don’t take it personally):
-type A: reserved, mild-mannered, calm, polite, perfectionist, creative, sensitive (sometimes stressed and conscientious)
-type B: specialists in what they do, individualists, relaxed, freewheeling, unconventional….off the wall type
-type O: outgoing, energetic, social, flexible, not too dependable, likes to be the center of attention, self confident. Generally loved by all!
-type AB: said to have a delicate sensitivity and very considerate about other people’s feelings. A type on the inside and B on the outside! AB type in other words!!!

Some stats…
Japan is mainly composed of A type people while the U.S. counts more O types.
Of course most Japanese people know their blood type (are sometimes even tested at school) and they are amazed when a westerner can’t answer the question!!!

Now you know what to do before visiting us in Japan: go and find out your type!

Out of curiosity, what’s your blood type? What do you think of the Japanese description of your type?

-Nico