‘a’ had done some research on birth order and how being the oldest, middle, youngest, etc. may influence the way we think and act. She is an only-child, like I am, and found this analysis. I’m gonna throw some running commentary in there with it…
~ * ~

You immerse yourself in an interest, until you’re an authority on the subject – no matter how important or trivial it is.
Hmm, is this why people ask me why I know so much crap on random things?

You have strong and well-thought-out opinions.
Damn straight. But that’s just my opinion. I feel strongly about it, tho.

You are in fact, more often right than wrong.
At this point, I proposed to ‘a’ that we make an only-child T-shirt. It will have a heading on top that says, “Hi, I’m an only-child. These are my traits:” and then it would list them. The T-shirt would be black, and the lettering would be white. Except for the above line. This line would be in RED.

You are not very tactful.
Scrapping the T-shirt idea. I think I’m VERY tactful, BTW. I pointed out to ‘a’ that when I say mean inappropriate things about people, I say it tactfully behind their backs.

You grew up believing centre-stage was yours, so when you talk, you expect others to listen to you.

You protect your privacy with a poker face, so no-one can guess the true state of your inner feelings.
My mom STILL yells at me about this to this day. I’m not giving the attitude-face, my expressionless poker-face just doesn’t look friendly, okay?

Not many people get really close to you – but those who do, learn to trust you totally.

You are extremely loyal.

You are tolerant and supportive of those who openly admit their limitations.

You are not very trusting of your women friends, and you have a great turnover in your “Female Best Friend” department. You don’t mind your male friends’ failures – but have a short fuse with women. You are likely to bolt at the first sign of anything seen as bad faith on their part.
And is it MY fault that women are sleazy and backstabbing whores?

You are firm in your opinions, and outspoken concerning your likes and dislikes. You are not into cliches, political slogans, or just plain nonsense. You like original thinking.
After watching an hour of the latest in the election Primaries last nite, I do agree that it is “just plain nonsense.” But there was no other TV on at 4am.

You are extremely tidy and well-organised. Living and working areas are usually immaculate, and you do your chores punctually and thoroughly.
My friends can stop laughing now. I think being an only-child entitles me to being a pack-rat and cluttery, darn it, cuz I don’t have to share space w/anyone or hide things from thieving siblings. Besides, I’m a huge sentimentalist.

You had little opportunity to learn how to compete or share. You now feel uncomfortable with competition, in social or work situations. Competition is a weak point. It puzzles you why people compete at all, particularly over trivial matters.
I think the answer here is that people are petty and lame.

You are the most self-sufficient of all birth orders, and avoid feeling obligated or indebted to others, as you would find this too threatening to your own self-reliance.

You can be disinterested or impatient in other people’s interests if they differ from yours.
Mr. W HATES this about me. Oh well, sucks to be him, I say. I guess I’m pretty intolerant.

You are impatient and intolerant of others.
Eep!

You are extremely frustrated and confused when others don’t do what they say they will do.
Story of my life — dealing with flakes. Long-time readers may remember the whole flake post series from summer of ’05.

You had a lot of exposure to parents’/grown-ups’ thoughts, attitudes, and feelings, rather than children’s, and now cannot understand how others your age can be such babies – so ignorant, or uninformed. This can put some distance between you and your friends.
I don’t keep friends who are babies. For pretty much that reason.

You are exceptionally comfortable with older people because you’ve spent most of your time with adults. Thus, you have developed characteristics that are more pleasing to adults.
This probably explains why boys my age never liked me when I was in high school, and why my fiance is 14 years older than me.

Since you learned to play alone, you are able to enjoy the pleasure of your own company.
Get your minds out of the gutter!

You are reluctant to show your deepest feelings – emotional revealing is not for you. But you are not shy about giving your opinions about everything. People are amazed at these two contrasts in your personality.

You have such an air of self-confidence, that people do not realise your need for appreciation and praise, so no-one reaches out to pat you on the head. A heavy price to pay for appearing so strong. Everything you can do to reveal your underlying humanity and feelings, will help considerably to remedy this.

You can appear like a snob because of your low need for affiliation.
What does this mean? *looking up “affiliation”* Oh, come on, I have friends and partnerships! I just don’t hesitate to cut ties if a relationship becomes toxic to me.
~ * ~

All right, so a lot of things are more true than not. But the only thing that’s important is the 3rd listed trait.