Here's another old manuscript from the Blog Journals, 2008.

Because it's the world majority blood type, we all know plenty of O's. Let's have a look at their physiologically/anthropologically-driven temperament.

There are two major ways to describe blood type personality: One is its natural expression without respect to society. The other is in terms of its relation to society. There is the O temperament, for instance but then this is tempered by the very fact that O prevails in great numbers; so, with O, you've got "This is how I am", but you also have to deal with O's "And everybody should be as I am", an attitude based less on O temperament than on O's EXPERIENCE that most folks are indeed like himself. We'll see that, in this regard, A tests the waters, to see how many share his own orientation, while B and AB begin with the premise that no one is like themselves: These latter individuals expect to be misunderstood, to be self-contained and stand alone. So, understand that O expects others to see things his/her way, as a "given", and then you're ready to understand other aspects of O personality.

Next step: Anthropology. O began as a hunter and gatherer. O pits himself against nature, bringing all of his resources to bear on making a killing, accomplishing his goal. He tracks his quarry, bringing others on board to assist him. His survival is bound up in projects that have beginnings, middles and ends. He feasts on the proceeds and then goes out to stalk the next Meal, bring down the next foe.

So O likes projects and brings great energy to these, taking for granted that everyone is on board, unless they're prey too. O figures "You're either part of the team or we eat you." This assumption of antagonism on the part of those who don't dance to his tune can be quite stunning to others.

O makes a good leader and a problematic follower. How can mixed society cope with a majority that is leadership-geared ? Answer: O's need spheres of leadership, not necessarily in careers, per se.

And then there's the physical: O's are physically energetic. It's good for them to work out, in relatively short bursts. Just as hunters alternate between slow quiet stalking and climactic pouncing, O's workouts should be short but daily. I think that's akin to their natural anthro-driven rhythm.

Hunting is the ultimate focussed activity; if you're focussed and alert, you eat; if your mind wanders, you starve. So you see a pattern with O: He single-mindedly goes after what he wants till he gets it. After the feast, he's onto something else, with equal intensity. This is why O's do so well with project management. They make one thing happen. Then another. They don't necessarily "work well with others", though. Just as hunters use beaters or a pack of hounds, O's might view their teams as subordinates. A whole team of O's each with his own sphere of authority, is therefore a winner. Otherwise O's can come across as opportunist users. This is an aspect of focussedness that is a social problem for O: Others are used when serving O's ego or career goals or projects, and may be made to feel stepped-on otherwise. O's can even interrupt or fall asleep during others' self-expression. They quite simply are uninterested in others' input unless they can use or usurp it to their own ends. The world is their and only their oyster. They have to train themselves to be more genuinely interested. But if they can at least fake it, that, too, might be an advance for some!

All of this is not to say O's are unlikeable. On the contrary, the world contains its share of adorable O's. Blood type doesn't swallow up or override what makes each individual unique, and that's why I'm treating only of the constitutional medical and anthropologic factors.

Medically speaking, O is flammable. O's suffer from inflammatory diseases. Adding fire to the O rhythm, you find someone who tends to anger and outbursts as opposed to, say, withdrawal or worry. O's act quickly and impulsively, too; thus many an O finds himself backpedalling, apologizing, embarrassed by his hyperreactivity to innocent differentness perceived as threat. Someone's contrary point of view is seen as a lit match and the O is thrilled to burst into flame: Igniting is an addictive high for many an O, an impulse impossible to stifle, a momentary opportunity to express his magnificent furnace. O's can love their own anger. When the social/interpersonal/familial messes to be mopped up in its aftermath are permanent, however, O's might actually consider changing their approach. Dr. D'Adamo is to my mind correct in counseling the rechannelling of O-fire into physical sports/training, rather than, say, some sort of psychotherapy. When O's have had a good sweaty workout in the morning, they're less likely to seek prey to intimidate or attack.

Have a look around at the O's in your circle. And if you're O, it can be fascinating and instructive to understand yourself in these terms. I have to say that the O-Anger connection is among the top 5 teachings that I've noticed have impressed listeners when I speak on bloodtype diet/disease/temperament profiles. Many O's can relate to it, admit to having been distressed by it, and are gratified to find, in Dr. D'Adamo, someone who explains it to them.

Yay! A "new" blog, not a Reprise from the mistakenly deleted Archives I've been restoring of late. Actually this blog is drawn from the Journals of three years ago. Thought it would help with gift-giving this Christmas, though it was intended for housewarmings.

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What's your blood type? What's your décor taste? Years ago on dadamo forum I asked B's to describe their taste, and there seemed to be a consensus where it came to color. Bs tend to like vivid colors and "interesting" "fascinating" "eclectic" exotic elements that can be quirky, offbeat, and have stories to go with 'em. A's might find the sight/atmosphere intriguing but can't wait to get home to their relatively clutter-free, neutral-toned havens and gardens. I've met a number of O's who are obsessive-compuslive about germs/dust-mites and absolutely flawless window/mirror/refrigerator, oven-door surfaces. Some have air filters going strong, others come home from work and shine their bathtubs as pre-dinner relaxation. Ever notice this, you guys? O's are often collectors of THEMED items, such as Plains Indians moccasins to surfboards to taxidermy to shoes and jewelry and hats.

We B's can tolerate mess as we age, if we need to. It's part of the price we pay for broad-ranging interests and lives. I think there's an element of nomadism in this: We pitched our tents for purposes: Shade, shelter, storage, functional areas: Cooking, hosting/entertaining/coffee, sleep. It wasn't important that everything be hung just-so or to impress anyone. It was where you could discern some souvenirs, perceive where this clan had been, what business/craft they were in (rug? tents?) and how proud they were of their own distinctive handicrafts. You look around the B space and take it all in. It tells a story. And it's ready to be packed up quickly and transported elsewhere!

If you're shopping for blood type-appropriate housewarming gifts, here are some suggestions for O, A and B (sorry AB: Not enough experience yet) - and age is a factor:

O: Find out what s/he COLLECTS or what his/her sport is. You almost shouldn't bother with anything else. O's also like cutting-edge gizmos, especially if they're impressive: O's are often the ones with the "home-theaters". Don't give plants, unless O "collects" them, such as exotic orchids. Give things with weight/gravitas, something that says s/he's "successful". Either they drive very expensive cars or fantasize doing so - that kind of successful. Hook up automated services in their home. Send them a year's techie/geek services. Important classical art and sculpture, if in your budget. Jazz CDs otherwise. Important ceramics and antiques. Paintings. Stuff related to their pets, if it's really, really cool. "Organizing" and Junk Management services. Genealogy stuff: Maybe one of those DNA testing kits.

A: Here's where plants/trees are a great idea. If the A has a yard/garden, some cool gardening tools/technology would be well-received. If your A is plant-serious, even high maintenance plants such as ferns might be a hit. Jazz and oldies (if over 40). Best hits. Maybe Motown. A's don't go for frou-frou: Think traditional Japan. Many A's have workshops, where they do artisinal stuff, crafts. Find out if this one does, too, and cater to that. Elegant crafts items themed to A's hobby would be a hit, but functional is best. A's like books in their field of interest, or magazine subscriptions. A's tend to like the Japanese aesthetic as opposed to the Central Asian. Japanese style kitchenware, including Cha (tea) accoutrements. A Go (game) board or, for those with land, archery set might be appreciated. Some go for the meditation pillow/stool; DVDs/CDs to accompany yoga. Bathing-facilitating objects/aids could be a hit if your recipient is one of the bath nuts. Some A's distinctly are not, but all natural (no synthetics!) aromatherapeutic bath/shower products might be appreciated, as would bath brushes, shower-heads, that sort of stuff. If your A is into vitamins, anything that might help him/her manage their administration is another winner. (Age, life-phase could be a key here.) A gift certificate at North American Pharmacal or its monthly delivery of bloodtype-specific nutritional supplements would be fantastic. If your A has a pet, a pet-oriented gift might be just the (awwww) ticket. Find out if there's a superb spa in the new neighborhood. A gift certificate for a massage or facial is often A-heaven. As A's are often vegetarian, a subscription to an organic farmers' delivery service is a great gift and one I've seen arriving in many an A household. A green-tea-of-the-month subscription is another educational tool/horizon-broadener.

B: Again, find out what they collect, and cater to that. As a B myself I'll tell you that bookcases have been RARELY, if ever, refused. Coffee table books on a B's pet subject, and art themed to it (but art is ALWAYS CHANCY. Keep it small!) can work. Gift certificates to bookstores are never unwelcome. B's are quite sensitive to smell. If there's an aromatherapeutic hobby here, its paraphernalia (including diffusors, burners and fans) are a great idea. If the B has space, you can't go wrong with oriental throw-rugs, Bactrian camel saddles, salvaged architectural elements from the Maghreb or Punjab, and fine paisley textiles, for instance. Items that are colorful/unusual and that come with an exotic tale are the way to go: A beautiful vase is twice as beautiful if it was haggled-over in a Damascus souk or slightly chipped "when it fell off the elephant". B's go for flowering plants or ones with variegated foliage, but: A subscription to a plant doctor/horticultural care service is a good idea for when B's flights of fancy render him/her distracted from that chore. But think "Addams Family", says this B. CDs of harpsichord music, organ music, "World Music" (Turkish oud, Celtic fiddle, Japanese koto). A Tibetan friend once gave me a priestly unction bottle; I actually gave it as a gift to someone else, but we B's give as good as we get. A good reading light is another fine gift. A beautiful lamp often finds a happy B home. Find out your aging B's reading glasses' power, and buy a few pairs of varied styles for every reading station in the house. Library ladders and step-stools are essential in many B homes. Housekeeping service gift certificates: Wow. Find a bonded housekeeper and send him/her to a B after the move: What a big help!

'Tis more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

Here in the United States, the incidence of ABO blood groups is estimated at approximately 44% O; 42% A; 10% B: and 4% AB. Whether one finds oneself in a majority type - O or A - or in a minority one - B or AB - goes a long way, I find, toward determining personality factors. In other words, bloodtype personalities are "the way they are" not only because of intrinsic factors, but also by virtue of their being embedded in large/extended or in small/isolated clans of typemates.

Both O's and A's harbor expectations that the world sees things the way they do; they're accustomed to a certain understood-ness amid society. Very simply put, O's want to win at the world's game, and A's want to be accepted within and facilitators of community. Both know that B's and AB's are "different", "quirky" in some way; O and A can't imagine being that out of step with the broader world.

B's and AB's, for their part, are accustomed to their differentness. But I have a theory that distinguishes the inner comfort and self-acceptance of the B from the apprehension and inner turmoil of the AB.

I posit that B, operating independently, skirting the larger, customary byways, is contented in that state and role, wearing it well, but that AB has trouble with such desires because of the A allele. AB's would like to be as straightforward in their unusualness as B's are, but they have this A-voice gnawing at them - A, the one who wants to fit in, to get along, to create community, to enjoy security. AB sees that B isn't as compromising or as equivocating, and envies B. AB wishes s/he could ditch the A self-expectation, the inner A's criticalness of inner B, in order to shine like the B, riding the wind -- OR -- that s/he could "outgrow" his/her B-differentness altogether and be included in the larger A-compliant world. You might find AB's alternating in their behavior toward B's: projecting orneriness against free, autonomous B acquaintances and family at times, and expressing a yearning to take off and run with the horses, too, at others.

Speaking of horses, anthropologic bloodtype archetypes portray this subtle variation too: B the utter nomad, AB the gypsy. The nomad is out there in the wilderness - deserts, steppes, mountains- watching stars shoot, clouds morph, dunes shift - while the gypsy is the oddball closer to civilization: The family washing clothes in the stream by its caravan at the city's edge, the accordionist with the dancing bear on the midtown corner, the fortune teller at the gate.

These archetypes also show how B and AB can find their level and contentment: B in not caring to justify himself to society, confident that the latter will use/absorb/ignore/reject what it chooses to of B's offerings and wares, and AB being pleased to amuse, or find a unique role within, the majority's society while proudly upholding its very staunch policy of caginess/aloofness. Playing by his own rules, as it were, within the larger system. Keeping a foot outside the box.

Both AB's and B's are passionate critters. AB's for their majority-wannabe A allele, however, are more conflicted, I think. If you're an AB or you love one, try these insights on for size. If you're, like myself, a B, your drifting isn't aimless: It may simply conform to patterns that transcend the era and the culture and the family you inhabit. Be true to it.

Dr. D'Adamo writes of his own need to take carpentry breaks during work days, to enjoy using different parts of his brain so as not to get bogged down in any one activity. He says he thinks A's might particularly need to do this.

As a B, I'd say that also suits me, depending upon the type of work it is. If I'm doing scholarly work, researching and writing, I like huge, uninterrupted blocks of time: Days on end, if possible! But if I'm working with clients and the public, I prefer 3- to 5-hour sessions at most. This introvert can do professional extraversion to beat the band, but wearies of it. I come on like gangbusters and win the sales prizes; I also do sensitive therapeutic work with postpartum women. These types of performance require much quiet contemplation -- call it Carpentry -- intervening. I have enjoyed a bit of movement, as in travel, between clients and am acquainted with many B free-lancers, part-timers and home-workers: Ideal constructs for those with nomadic genes. We touch base with societies and are excellent merchants at the trade fairs, but most of the time we're watching our flocks graze or talking to ourselves on horseback.

The A camp definitely harbors its share of introverts. Perhaps their need to shift gears within the daily cycle, however, is based upon something other than the intro/extravert dialectic; and more on the need to exercise creativity, to -- as Dr. D'Adamo says -- make like Churchill and paint watercolors in wartime. (I think Churchill amidst so much horrible destruction needed not only to zone-out but to create lovely things that spoke of peace.)

O's can burn out by running on all cylinders and driving themselves mercilessly; it's a pattern they assume when young, and it can transform what should have been quiet artistic moments into pressured commissions and high-powered obligations. I know many, many creative O's who savored their creative processes in youth, but who were hard-driving producers, out of habit, by the time they were in their 30's and 40's, having forgotten the former serenity. Their careers can become all about fame and endorsements, and they can lose the Magic. O downtime should include channeled physical workouts. This keeps O on an even, calm keel for the rest of the day; he's worked up his daily sweat already: Now he can let up. Many O extraverts don't acknowledge the possibility for healthy introversion at all, finding fault with less impressive credentials and lighter cv's.

As for the AB's, when we treat of harboring opposites, we're preaching to the choir. With both A and B alleles/antigens, PLUS the O-like catecholamine responses, AB is a little of everything, and it's got to be challenging to be a young AB looking for a niche, a self-definition, an integrated personality.

I find that young people (those under 35/40 or so) struggle with self-acceptance and skills-apportionment more than oldsters, who've figured out how to strike workable balances between their many facets and proclivities. Bloodtype principles can certainly give adolescents and young adults a head-start in self-understanding within a body/mind-affirming paradigm.

My brother is A and his wife is type B. I didn't know the blood types of their two daughters, and I had them pegged as Elder:A and Younger:B. On what grounds?

First and foremost, on the basis of my sister-in-law's two miscarriages, between the two births. As Dr. D'Adamo explains in his Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia and his Live Right 4 Your Type, often when a husband's blood type is incompatible with that of his wife, a child's blood type can also be incompatible; in these cases the foreign antigen can provoke an antibody reaction as blood is exchanged during birth, as in the classic Rh scenario. When this happens, it can provoke miscarriages of future incompatible embryos, until such time as one is conceived bearing a type compatible with the mother. So I figured baby #2 as B like Mom, and #1 as A like Dad (or even AB, but I rejected the latter for other reasons, especially that she is definitely more cortisol- than catecholamine-driven under stress).

Next line of reasoning: Mom and child #2 are night owls who sleep until noon if permitted. Dad and child #1 are "morning people" and like to get to bed on the early side.

Personality-wise: Child #1 has always tended toward worry, anxiety and delicacy, while child #2 is a hardier, sassy adventurous sort.

You can't blame me for my guesses, right?

Both girls have now donated blood. Well, I'll be: The elder is type B, and the younger is A. It's caused me to re-think and re-consider.

I'm thrilled that the younger one, who has been a vegetarian ("plus fish") for the past half dozen years, is type A. That'd been bothering me, when I thought she was B.

I'm puzzled about the whole B personality thing, however. The elder niece is very much the straight arrow. And that's what throws you. Her B mom, too, is not your arty, zany, multi-faceted, multi-lingual type. So my horizons are expanding, as I'm reminded of other B's, including past clients, who've been B and haven't necessarily fit the mold, so to speak. (How very B!)

It seems B can be defined, personality-wise, in this way above all: They do things their own way. They really don't care what all the other kids are doing, what all the other mothers say, how the PTA voted; you get the idea. I think A's are somewhat more bothered by aspects of their own differentness than are B's; A's want to fit in, while B's aren't even thinking about that. The A child can think: "I wish I were _______, like the other kids" where the B child is likelier to think "I wish the other kids were as ____________as I am", or, better, "I wish there were one other kid I could relate to". The A might be more eager, too, to adjust him/herself to others' comfort zones.

B's aren't necessarily in anybody's face about who they are; they just stand their own ground. My B niece fools you with her quietness; you think she's a shrinking violet or something. Then she reminds you that her quietness must be defended, when the rank and file college crowd want to drag her out to some party. She's like so many B's of the "No Thanks" variety; B has a very easy time saying "No". If you have daughters, you can sleep better with a kid like that! My sister-in-law is also very much a one-of-a-kind/majority-be-damned sort.

I see this as genetically-related, as reflected in B's anthropologic history. There are those A farms and communities, and those ambitious, covetous, power-driven O's within them. And then there are us shepherds out there counting shooting stars, checking in only to sell a camel or goat-hair tent fabric in exchange for produce. We don't expect the settlers to see things our way, to sell their homesteads and become nomads. And this minority-hood is a status we retain: Only 10% or so of humans are of type B. B's don't TRY to be odd; we just don't try to be un-odd either! That individual who frustrates your circle for refusing to toe the line is likely to be B.

Topsy-turvy. I find this out just in time to be grateful for it: The elder is going into surgery this morning, and whereas we all thought she'd be a nervous wreck about it, she's actually rather philosophical, taking it a step at a time.

My A brother has explained the A versus B crisis mentality thus: "I stress out, while my wife's the rock of Gibraltar for as long as the crisis lasts, and no matter how long. She holds absolutely everything together for everyone, until the crisis is over. Then, while the rest of us re-enter normalcy, she crashes." I don't know about the "crashes" part, but there is a certain tenaciousness that the blood type personality theorists notice in B's.

I've had many a B postpartum client who may seem to be "crashing". There's something dramatic about the way a B "falls apart". She's got amazing personality-integrity, so you know she's pulling through and getting stronger all the while. The B client makes no bones about it, in a "Let me put you on hold while I thoroughly freak out" sort of way; you know she'll regain her footing as soon as she figures things out.

I stand corrected. I'm only too happy to add so much intimate data to my base.