What makes you tick?

Press, 29 December 1980, Page 18

What makes you tick ?

Are you too soft at the shops?

How are you treated when you go shopping? Are you a push-over for shady shopkeepers and queue jumpers — or do you stand up for yourself in the most effective way? This quiz is designed to find out just how well you respond to unfair treatment in town. Note the most appropriate response', to each question, then turn to the score chart to' learn your rating. 1. In a busy store, you believe you have been shortchanged by the assistant Would you: (a) Compairi loudly and demand to see the manager. (b) Point out the mistake and insist they check the till. (c) Say nothing because the sum -seems too trivial to: make a fuss about., - : ; 2. A thoughtless motorist blocks your exit from a car park and you have to wait fuming for ten minutes until the driver returns. Do you then: (a) Let them feel the full force of your rage. (b) Point out the inconvenience their poor parking has caused you. (c) Sit glowering silently as the car is removed. 3 You have been, queueing for ten minutes and are about to be served when an aggressive shopper pushes in fropt of you. Would you: (a) Push them out of the way or tell them to .take their turn in no uncertain manner. (b) Point out you are first and insist (they go to the back of the queue. (c) Think that it is not worth a row and let them go first. 4. You find that some goods are faulty when you get home. Do you: (a) Take them back and start an argument if they are not replaced , immediately. (b) Return with the goods and explain why you cannot accept them.

(c) Decide that the fault is not reallv so bad and keep them after all. 5. When thinking about a situation which could produce an argument, do you:. (a) Relish the prospect of getting the better of your opponent. (b) Take some time to think out the best line of approach. ()c eFhuriappy and anxious, so that you try

to find ways of avoiding the row.

4 ' 6. A traffic officer Is writing out a ticket when you return to your illegal-ly-parked car after stopping briefly to collect some parcels. Do you: (a) Start an argument and claim you have every right to stop for a few moments. (b) Point out how brief your stop was • and ask if the officer cannot overlook it this once. (c) Wait out of sight until the officer has left the ticket and gone to avoid a row.

7. When buying vege- s tables, you notice that the assistant. is taking the goods not from the attractive display but from a box at the back of the shop. Would you: (a) Accuse the assistant of fobbing you off with second quality goods. (b) Ask to check what you are being given before accepting it.

(c) Assume that the assistant is giving ; you goods of equal quality to that displayed.

8. If somebody contradicts you in an argument, would you assume, that: (a) They rnust be wrong 1 because you are certain of your facts. ’ (b) That you will need > to recheck your infer- > mation to be certain ' you are correct. .. 1 (c) That you have prob-1 ably made s mistake | ana they are correct t 9. You notice a couple having an argument ;on ttie street Do you: (a) Go closer so thaf you can find out what the fight is all about ’ (b) Walk past without taking much notice.. (c) Cross, the street fa avoid being drawn into their dispute, , 10. Your partner or » close fiend criticises '.you unjustly. Do you: (a) Lose your temper and start an argument. (b) Stay calm and point out the 'inju»tice of the charges.'., (c) Say nothing but feel miserable at the unfair treatment; 11. Your partner or' close firend has -at habit which really Irritates yOu< Would you: . ' ! ? (a) Make a sarcastic remark on each occasion to shame them into stopping. ■ . i (b) Point out you find it | annoying and ask them to stop. (c) Say nothing for fea» I of offending them, , | 12. You see a minor accident between two vehicles. One of the driven gets out and appeals for witnesses. Would you: (a) Immediately offes your services, 1 (b) Come forward only, if nobody else whq was » better placed offers help. ; (c) Walk quickly away to avoid getting involved, . J