In a just a little over twenty-four hours, many of us will have our
bellies full of turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and who
knows what other goodies. How we will get that way is the topic of
today's column.
Many of you are familiar with personality tests,
particularly the CriteriaOne DISC Behavioral Type assessments. DISC is
an acronym standing for Direct, Influencing (or Interacting), Steady,
and Compliant (or Conscientious) – in other words, how people respond
to problems, people, pace and procedures. While many people try to
avoid "taking these tests" in an attempt to hide what they feel are
their deepest, personal secrets, let the truth be known that these
behaviors are very obvious even to the casual observer.
DISC is
the universal, observable language. Even if you never have heard of
DISC before, you willl certainly recognize a few relatives, friends or
acquaintances who exhibit these classic behavioral styles, representing
D-I-S-C.
D Style
To High D behavioral types,
Thanksgiving dinner is an event. The guest list is figured out on the
fly, most likely on the back of a napkin or on whatever writing surface
is handy. The list likely will include several strategic business
guests. In fact, Thanksgiving dinner is the perfect venue to discuss a
few business deals that just can't get done during working hours. High
D behavioral types shop for groceries without a list. The fact of the
matter is they don't have any idea what they'll serve for dinner -
they'll know a good deal when they see it. If the long lines at
checkout are too long, they may decide to make reservations at a local
restaurant or country club or even order take out. Where ever and
whenever they eat, they chose the place, meal and time. To high D's
recipes are only guides. They add and substitute ingredients at will
and use gravy and sauces to cover up the "mistakes". Microwaveable
foods are a staple. If D-types actually do any cooking, the kitchen may
be a mess but they know exactly where everything is. They will be in
control. If your host is D behavioral style, don't be surprised to get
a call on your mobile while on your way to stop for ice. When the D is
ready to eat, he/she tells his guests where to sit. During dinner,
expect a blow-by-blow description of each course. You'll hear how much
time, money or effort it took to prepare. Recipes are described as
"best", "special", "can't be beat", and "great deals."
I Style
High
I behavioral types don't prepare dinner, they plan a party. They insist
on only one rule – NO business talk! Grocery shopping is an experience
- they go to the store at the busiest time so they can socialize and
meet people. I-behavioral types may spend more time in the party store
picking up holiday table cloths, napkins, dishes and decoration more
than they do in the grocery store. They carry dozens of coupons, torn
(not cut) from newspapers and magazines, stuffed in no particular order
into an envelope or purse. I-behavioral types know where everything is
in the store, whether you ask them to tell you or not. The guest list
includes family, friends, neighbors and anyone who might otherwise have
to eat dinner alone. The list resembles the yellow pages. I-types can't
remember everyone they invited so they set extra places just in case
extra people drop by. What time is dinner? Just drop-in. A menu? You've
got to be kidding. The menu is potluck and the I-type just asks
everyone to bring something along. I's use recipes but never measure
ingredients and substitute freely. They may even experiment with a new
recipe. Foods are selected for color, texture, and whatever looks good
in their favorite bowls and dishes. They describe each course by how
much fun it was to make it or a history on who gave them the recipe.
Seating? Sit wherever you'd like. When it comes time to clean-up,
guests will be scooted out the door – you'll hear, "I love to clean
up." As soon as the last guest leaves, the I-behavioral type host plops
down on the couch and "wishes" the dirty dishes away. "They will still
be there tomorrow", the I-type thinks aloud, and puts off today what
can be done tomorrow – still wishing for the "dish fairy" to come along
while he/she is sleeping.
S Style
High S behavioral
types prepare dinner for the entire family. In fact, they will prepare
enough food to feed a neighborhood. You never know, a guest may not
like a particular food or course, so the S prepares back-ups. "Family"
for an "S" may include neighbors or anyone who doesn't have family to
share the holiday with. "How terrible to spend the holiday alone" they
think. They begin planning dinner weeks ahead by preparing a list.
Next, they begin to clip coupons, even ones they don't need, just in
case they meet someone at the store who doesn't have the right one.
This list takes weeks to prepare. Finally the cooking begins.
S-behavioral types begin making the feel-good foods first, desserts and
appetizers, weeks ahead of time. Personalized invitations are prepared
for guests, a few S-types preferring the hand-written invitation,
taking the time to personalize each note. Every course is prepared from
scratch using his/her favorite recipes, including special foods for the
kids and anyone on a special diet. Often times the recipes are family
traditions, handed down through the generations. They rarely use the
microwave except for warming things up. Guests are seated in groups by
family and friends. During dinner the S-behavioral type offers to share
his/her recipes with everyone and likely have copies already prepared
for distribution. There is always extra food for guests to take home in
doggy-bags. The doggy bags may even have each guest's name on them
including a label with what's inside and the date.
C Style
High
C behavioral types prepare dinner for just the immediate family or may
even prefer to eat alone. Dinner is more like a tradition or ritual
than a celebration. Guests receive a formal invitation and an RSVP is
required. C-types shop with coupons which are organized by aisles. They
have a budget and click off items on a calculator as they work their
way up and down the aisles. C-types have a practice run of each course
throughout the preceding week. Recipes are followed exactly as written
using measuring cups, utensils and timers. C-behavioral types would
never think of substituting an ingredient, not even one brand for
another. Guests have assigned seats and name cards are typed at each
setting. (The cards are saved after each meal and re-used at future
family events.) Rarely do C-types have any food left over – that would
mean they made a mistake. If food is left over, they store it by meals
in compartmentalized containers, just like the old "TV dinner". If
asked about a recipe, C's describe each course in excruciating detail
including the cost of the ingredients, the best place to purchase them,
the best time to shop. The recipes are available upon request, which
are stored in alphabetical order on computer printouts in the filing
cabinet. After dinner, C's refuse everyone's offer to clean up – they
have an unchangeable routine and a special place for everything. If by
chance you get to peek inside their cabinets, don't be surprised to see
the canned goods alphabetized and sized. If the C-Behavioral type does
allow you to help, expect explicit instructions how to wash, dry, and
put things away…and criticism when you don't do it exactly the
"right" way. No one can clean up or put away the dishes as good as the
high C behavioral type- so they think!
A most important
take-away from understanding behavioral types is that no one style is
right or wrong. Likewise there is not one right way or one wrong way to
prepare Thanksgiving dinner.
There is, however, a right way to
celebrate Thanksgiving – be thankful for the opportunity to share
Thanksgiving with friends and relatives, be thankful for the food you
enjoy, be thankful for whomever prepares your meal, and be thankful we
can laugh at our behavior!
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Written by Ira S. Wolfe. Originally published November 2007 by Success Performance Solutions, All rights reserved. Used with permission.