Good point -- I probably would have scored in the seventies if I hadn't spent five miserable years living in New Jersey. Curse you eastern seaboard!
67...a lot of my answers were more in the middle - bad things don't always bother me, but I also don't think that they are just one big cheery adventure. Many answers I would have chosen were not available in the choices. So this is pretty reasonable. I am very optimistic with myself...somewhat less when dealing with other people (although I give money to friends freely).
56. Who the hell wouldn't call their credit card company if they left their wallet next to George Michael's assprints on the bathroom countertop?!?
Granted, I've lived 6 years in this miserable state of New York, but I can't really be labeled a true New Yorker. I was born and raised in Houston, and I tend to clash (attitude-wise) with other New Yorkers and their "state of mind." Having said that, though, I can't help but get wrapped up in the whole NYC culture (subways, insane people on the sidewalks, crowds, urine-soaked streets, etc.), and that affects my attitude. Being a pessimistic person to begin with, I can honestly say, yes, the environment of Manhattan has further pushed me into a pessimistic viewpoint. If everyone around you is a pessimist, it's hard to be that lone beacon of light (a.k.a. an optimist) without finally giving up and adapting to your surroundings (not that I was an optimist to begin with). NYC might just be a special case, though, because there's so much to be pessimistic about. Is the guy next to you on the subway going to flip out and go on a killing spree? Are the homeless people begging for money going to use your contribution to buy booze? Am I more likely to be robbed here if I don't double or triple lock my front door? Is my building a possible target for terrorism? Will the person in front of me cut me off/slam the door in my face/demonstrate typical NY behavior? There's a lot to be worried about here, probably more so than any other place (at least in the U.S.). If you can honestly answer yes to the above questions, eventually, your envronment will wear you -- and your attitude -- down. However, a question I have is this: Assuming I was an optimist before moving to the NE, would I still be one? Was I more likely to change my attitude because I was a pessimist to begin with? So, to make a long explanation short... yes, Behad, I believe the environment is a major factor. Now, in the true spirit of pessimism, I imagine I'll probably get flamed, banned, and ridiculed for my statement.
36. I think all historians are of necessity pessimists. Funny how different places affect different people. I *love* New York, and find Houston really depressing a lot of the time. Everything's so spread out and hot and isolated and flat... but, you know, to each their own...
I got a 50 too. How boring is that? The test was a bit annoying because a lot of the situations are already solved by systems I've installed for myself. (1) I make it a point not to care what a beggar intends to use my money for. (2) I don't lend money, I'll only give it away. (3) I'm not so stupid as to not cancel my credit cards. Besides, you can ask the credit card companies to freeze the account for a little while if you really think there's a chance you'll get your wallet back. (4) I always lock my car doors, regardless of circumstance (safer to just make it a habit). So, some of my answers don't reflect any sort of expectation on my part; it's just what I do out of rote.
