Who Says Your Personality Matches Your Country?
It’s not a given that your birth country is intrinsically perfect for your personality. It’d be madness to simply accept the status quo.
Personality Diversity
Let me start off by explaining something everyone knows and agrees about. We all have different personalities, some are more extroverted, some are agreeable, some have short-fuses and some are fans of extreme sports. Some just want a comfortable job, a roof over their head and food for their family.
This is something we can all agree on, we know personality types vary massively. Maybe not within your friend group (you tend to make good friends with those similar to yourself), but in general, yes.
This is what makes people interesting. We’re not human 11110011, a base mii character ready to be customised or a malleable blob waiting to be shaped. We’re outgoing and extremely thoughtful Ben. Open-minded and adventurous Ross. Kind, caring and original Lily.
Although we conceptualise personalities using words like kind, adventurous and open-minded, there’s a way smarter way of describing personality traits. Through extensive discovery, deliberation and refinements, physchologists agreed upon 5 broad personality traits that all individuals can be described with.
In the broadest sense, the following 5 personality traits are:
- Extroversion
- Openness
- Agreeableness
- Neuroticism
- Conscientiousness
Extroversion
Traditionally characterised be sociability, assertiveness and generally just being more comfortable and happy in social situations. These individuals feel energised as a result of social situations and will seek out new and existing friends. The opposite of this is Introversion and refers to individuals who tire from social interaction, prefer their own company and generally dislike talking to others. Everyone lies on a scale between the 2.
Openness
This trait specifically refers to the degree to which an individual is creative, imaginative, curious and open to new experiences. They tend to be abstract thinkers with the opposite side of the scale representing individuals who don’t like change, wont try new things and understand the world in a very linear fashion.
Agreeableness
Constitutes the degree to which an individual is altruistic, kind, affectionate and co-operative. Those with high degrees of this will bend over backwards to help others (often at their own expense), while those with low degrees will be rude, harsh, manipulative and insulting.
Neuroticism
This is a word that i’d heard before but never fully understood the meaning of. This describes the degree to which one is emotionally unstable. High degrees will experience violent mood swings, depressive episodes, stress and anxiety while low degrees will feel relaxed, happy, content and in general, emotionally balanced.
Conscientiousness
Another hard fucker to spell. These are usually the girls in your high-school biology class that make beautiful posters, have highly organised notes and a highlighter for every colour in existence (maybe even some in the ultraviolet range for good measure). This refers to your degree of thoughtfulness, scheduling, organisation and appreciation of structure.
We know that personalities differ, but what does personality type have to do with countries?
Country Diversity
As we’ve already validated, everyone has different personalities. I’ll also add that, for the most part, these personalities are equally distributed throughout the world. You’ll find similar percentages of those high in neuroticism, low in extroversion or high in openness across the world, from country to country.
[I’ll add a caveat and say that this for the most part applies but i do recognise that nurture may play a significant role in the development of personalities as well as nature (innate genes)]
Just as personalities differ, the culture, lifestyle and attitude of specific countries differs too. For example, Nordic folk are characterised as standoffish and unsociable, Spanish as extroverted, Italians as disagreeable, Germans as conscientiousness, Thai as friendly and so on. These are generalisations but for the most part countries adopt specific personality traits.
So if personality types are equally adopted across countries but countries remain true to some defining characteristics then how can we be sure we’ve been born in to the country that best suits our personality?
If you’re born in London but find yourself to be incredibly laid back you might find yourself better suited to a beach in Thailand.
If you’re born in the middle-east but find yourself incredibly open to different viewpoints you may be more suited to Canada.
If you’re born in Greece but find yourself to be highly conscientiousness, you may be better off in Germany.
These are all massive generalisations and my intention isn’t to offend any specific region, country or culture but you get the point of what i’m saying. Your personality might be better suited to a different country or region that lives through different values, pushes a particular lifestyle or in some cases is just quieter, warmer, more friendly etc.
My Theory
This is why i find it absolutely fucking bonkers when people opt not to travel. There’s an entire world out there ready to explore. The diversity on offer is incalculable, there’s simply so much to experience, try and do.
From the mountains of Scotland to the Buddhist culture prevalent across southeast Asia to the food of South America. Regardless of wether it’s culture, lifestyle, gastronomic preferences, landscape, weather or people, the world is massive and filled with everything you could possibly imagine.
Travelling gives you the chance to experience this, if even for just a second. By travelling you get to experience the culture, breathe their air, appreciate a way of life different from your own.
There’s no way we’re just automatically assigned to the country that perfectly matches our personality. God can’t be arsed; too much effort.
Get out there and explore, buy that one way ticket, sell your shit and fuck off without a plan. Do it if you can. I’ve done what i can so far and i intend on doing a lot more.
Appreciations and Exceptions
I understand that i’m saying this from an incredibly privileged position. I wasn’t born in a poor country, i don’t have restrictions on my travel visa, i’m not tied down with a wife and kids.
I know that there’s a large majority of individuals out there that simply wont have the opportunity to travel.
But, for those that do, do it. Save up, work hard, make money, take risks, try something new, go everywhere. If you have the opportunity, take it. This only increases in relevance as the travel restrictions created by COVID keep us from adventuring. As soon as you can, get out there, meet new people and experience all you can.
Our life here on earth is short, make the most of it.
Closing Thoughts
Basically, there’s no guarantee that your personality perfectly matches the country you’re born in. It’d be insane to just assume that your current country is the only country for you.
If you can travel, do it. Even if it doesn’t result in a new place to live, it’ll certainly open your eyes to what the world has to offer — both good and bad. If anything, it’ll give you perspective. For me, that’s priceless.
Let me know your thoughts about my thoughts.
As Always,
Yours Honestly,
Liam Lawson.
