What would you prefer to be around, a pessimist or an optimist?

A pessimist, because I think I would relate more to a pessimist

If an optimist meaning one who looks on the bright side of things and isn’t johnny raincloud, then an optimist. If an optimist meaning one who thinks the world is rainbows and cupcakes, then a pessimist.

Oh jeez…really?
Anyone can have good reason to complain now and then, big dif. between going through a hardship or crisis and lamenting in the moment vs. eternal Eeyore, gloom & doom negativity. Bah humbug! lol

I am blessed, for lack of a better word, with a great sense of humor and irony, I am an optimist by nature, an extrovert, and while I CAN have nagative moments, who the hell wants to be around a doomsayer all the time?

Methinks this question is an oxymoron.

Usually, introverts are more pessimistic by nature and extroverts the opposite
I am house sitting for an introvert friend right now who is super anal that someone might come into her backyard and find her mail hidden under a patio chair cushion. OMG! Really? lol

I despise pessamistic and paranoid types. How’s THAT for negative? haha

I don’t like being around persistently miserable people, but this is a tricky question overall for various reasons that I can recall. Some people are pessimistic because they tend to emphasize with the pain/anguish of others too much, thus making themselves miserable. On the other hand I’ve found that some optimists tend to be quite indifferent to the suffering of others, and some people seem to rather optimistic in quite negative scenerios.

I prefer to be around empathetic and compassionate people, irrespective of whether or not they have an optimistic or pessimistic in nature. Some ‘pessimists’ are quite decent and cheery people when someone opens up to them, and some ‘optimists’ have stabbed me in the back.

I need upbeat people. The downers suck the life out of me. I can’t stand whiners either. Go away.

Sorry, that was kind of cold. If you need a hand or a bit of support I’m more than willing to do that. We all need a friend at times. Life can be rough, we all could use a shoulder to lean on.

Well then which answer did you prefer?

I like my optimists disguised as pessimists.

easy goin’ dudes and chicks.

Pessimism is the one trait that has led me to drop otherwise good friends, without feeling guilty about it. Pessimism brings me down and I don’t need that in my life.

Either one, as long as they can laugh about it.

Optimistic generally, but not ALL sunshine and roses. A sense of realism is required too.

Nobody. Fuck people. lol

Mmmm, guess?

I hate super happy people.

This is a true story. Many years ago I had to spend a few days in the hospital. One morning the office pessimist came to visit me. I can still see this guy’s face—he was perpetually glum and looked especially so sitting across from my bed. After a few minutes of basically saying nothing, he said he had been down at the dock the day before and had witnessed a dead body wash up on shore. My mother, who had flown to New York to be with me and was also in the room, jumped up like a bat out of hell and hustled this guy out of my room. That may well have been the moment I decided I preferred being around optimists.

Frankly I prefer a realist over both, but if I had to choose, I’d pick the optimist.

Happy people are more fun to party with.

↑↑ I honestly want to know more details about the dead body, that shit is so random.

Personally, it sounds like he was being optimistic by letting you know “hey, it’s not so bad that you’re here, I saw a dead body the other day, at least that’s not you…”

I don’t have a bug problem and my eyesight is fine so I don’t know if I can really answer this one . . .

@cheebdragon, that might not be your take if you knew how sick I was and how depressing this guy generally was to be around.