My blood group is AB – Who I am?

Browsing through the newspaper, I found an interesting article stating that folks in Japan and Korea believe that there exists a high correlation between blood group and human qualities. For example, people of O type are leaders, A type are strict disciplinarians. First question which stuck me (it maybe due to my limited knowledge in biology) – If there are only four blood groups as I know, is it really possible? But this question was not the culprit. What irritated and frustrated me was the fact that even after reading the fine prints, I couldn’t find the qualities associated with AB type (btw, I hope now you know my blood group). But after this storm, the calm left a BIG question mark. Why was even I searching for it? And though I admit I am a confused person in the world of self-confessed know-alls, never did a single thought created 2 opposite trains of thought.

First Train: Do you believe you are unique? I always take pride when people call me different. And yet, here I was searching for the common qualities that people believe I have due to some external factor. I don’t know about you, but I do get biased by such classifications and they affect my thinking and personality. A quick example. I am a ‘baniya’ by caste and anybody who knows about Indian caste system knows that baniyas are supposedly stingy. Looking at my spending habits, you would swear I am not. Yet people have reminded me of it so many times, that I feel guilt conscience after spending (though I still keep on spending). Take it to the bigger picture. It is quite possible that people who have grown up with a particular classification reinforced on them time and again would behave in a particular way. It is equally likely that another sect would oppose them vehemently for a similar reason (sounds like ‘manufacturing consent’, right?). Who is wrong? Depends on which side you are. But one thing is sure – I hated such classifications and did not want to be a part of any classification.

Second Train: A deeper look into me. I am an atheist in religious India, I like living on credit when people like to save, I want to live in a far flung independent house (preferably hut) when folks are buying amazing apartments, I love to bunk office when colleagues are competing fiercely [for good] (I hope if my manager reads this he understands its just a literary piece). And yet, somewhere in my mind (or heart), I want to be like ‘normal’ people around me. It is immense satisfaction when appreciated on standard scales. Moving out of myself. People were orthodox; they fought hard to become liberal. Now when they have become so liberal, they want to identify themselves with something. They wanted to experiment with relationships, now they want stable partners (or worse, for some no partners). Some long subdued and new classifications (either ideological or physical) are being endorsed with full zeal and unfortunately or fortunately consciously. See Paris burning, Nepal fuming, Oil burning, blood groups classifying. Good or bad? Don’t know, but again one thing is sure – I want to be a part of some classification (how about a caste called mavericks).

Did you understand the difference between the two trains? And if different, which one to choose? I am still trying to find the answer for both. All I need you to say “Best of luck…dude”.