Which tells you more about a person's character?

Question

(a) What a person does?
(b) What a person does not do?

Here is an example to illustrate the concept of what I mean:
(a) John drinks alcoholic beverages.
(b) John does not drink alcoholic beverages.

Personally, I think what a person does *not* do speaks more about their character. Why? Using the above example, (a) can be taken in a number of ways. Let's assume we don't know John very well. Maybe John is like most people and enjoys having an occasional drink, or, on the other hand, he could have a serious drinking problem. Until we know John better, we can't be certain. (B) seems to be more specific in context and leaves less to the imagination, especially when you do not know that person very well. There's little to nothing left to question with scenario (b).

Answer 1

I think what a person does NOT do says more about issues they have. If a person is 27 and does NOT drive a car but obviously has the money to have a car, I would think they had some kind of fear or issue. If a person does NOT drink I would say they have experienced an issue with drinking ie. parent was an alcoholic or maybe THEY them self had issues with alcohol. People who DO NOT do something I will usually assume are somewhat fanatical about WHY they wont do something. It's not necessarily a bad thing. But an issue all the same. It takes more discipline to NOT do something than it does to do something. So I think it says a lot more about a persons character in what they do not do.
No one wants to make assumptions and it 's bad that we do. But initially it's how we get to know someone.

Answer 2

You are asking a question about two different statements.

If he drinks, then you could say, "John drinks" or you could say "John doesn’t appose to drinking.”

Or

If he don’t drink, you could say, "John doesn’t drink" or you could say "John apposes drinking… and he is a total drag."

I mean arguably how do you know that because "John does not drink alcoholic beverages" doesn't in fact mean that he is on the wagon because he used to drink way to much. He might have been drunk and beat up his wife and broke his child’s arm accidentally. He might be on probation for DWI. He might have killed his kidneys and if he continues drinking he will die. He maybe on medicine that doesn’t allow him to drink. He may get suicidal when he drinks. He might not drink alcoholic beverages because he hates the flavor… or he prefers to huff paint…

The imagination goes on and on here. The possibilities are endless!

How about this one:

John only farts in the bathroom – okay he does that

John does not fart in public -- okay he doesn’t do that

Can you judge his character on either of those statements? NO but you don’t have to worry about the stink unless of course you are the toilet.

Answer 3

OK,
how about the person that does not do anything? it would be very difficult to even assume that this person even has a character?

I think that so many people stereotype people for what they do. not to say its right but, its what people do. that would tell me more people would base a persons character by what a person does or their actions until proven otherwise. IE if john drinks some may assume that he is a drinker some may not.
if john does not drink some may say what wrong with john, how can he not drink.

a) if i said Jane was a crack addict
b) Jane was not a crack addict

a)you would instantly assume Jane's character & sterotype it
b) what does this tell you about janes character? nothing!!!!

if you know what you know & if you know what you don't know there is nothing else to know except what you don't know

ya know

ss

Answer 4

That's not true. I could think why doesn't he drink ? Did he used to be an alcoholic so he gave it up ? I think you learn more about a persons character by what they do. There is so many things a person can not do so the things they choose to do speak of who they are.

Answer 5

Actually, I would say what a person DOES is a bigger indication, since you don't know the reasoning behind B's non-drinking.....is he a recovering alcoholic.....did he never drink due to his drunken father's abuse of his mother?....does he not drink because he is afraid of "losing control"....there are too many variables that are unknown in situation B, where there is only evidence of choices made in the first option

Answer 6

Interesting . well I never had alcohol before, and its my choice because im not interested in it! ( im 23 by the way) but many people tell me I am the strong silent type. which means I go by my morals and i dont let anyone change it! which is true! but maybe one day I will drink just not now! to get to know me you have to be around me ,that simple! and you'll know my character!

Answer 7

you are making assumptions about both scenarios. so john drinks alcohol, only on occassion. but maybe he does not drink alcohol when he is around other people.

Answer 8

Sweetheart, NEITHER. I can tell you just looking at me I do not appear to be what I may seem to the maistream world.

One thing that'll help you is this: 1) listen to tone of voice 2.) observe body language 3.) WATCH THE EYES...

Eyes are composed of pure light or spirit...

Answer 9

what a person does ..... is the right answer ... we can know about character of any one by what he/she does...
but according to my opinion u can judge about any one (80% true) when u have
a) dinner with that person
b) journey with that peron
just check out these ways .... they will work..

Answer 10

Well, since the two go hand in hand, it is the same.