INothing is safe from a psychological study – not even your favorite color.  While you may think this information may have absolutely no significance to the scientific world, recent studies indicate otherwise.

Human resource departments now use batteries of tests to examine prospective employees in every way possible.  The latest is one based on color.  Even the color of the car you drive and the house you live in are a dead giveaway to exactly what kind of person you are.

According to a recent study, houses painted in pastel colors are inhabited by romantic folks and those who live in white houses are traditionalists. Owners of houses painted dark colors are often aloof and care little for casual friends dropping unannounced.  ( I lived in a light brown house for 20 years so I know that’s right.)

I have always been interested in the use of color in the English language. Not merely in a particular style of writing, but in the actual use of the names of colors. 

For instance, red is used to denote the extreme of anything: red hot news, in the red, paint the town red, see red.

As for blue: true blue, deep blue sea, blue laws, once in a blue moon, out of the blue, have the blues, blue blood, blue ribbon and talking a blue streak.

Green can mean anything from inexperienced (green horn) to earthy (green thumb) or sadly, green with envy.

Yellow can mean cowardice – have a yellow streak.  I do not mention yellow journalism because I know nothing about it.

Brown is seldom used except to do it up brown.  Purple is used for important things – born to the purple and purple passion.

White and black have singular uses.  White as a sheet – white collar job – white flag (truce) – white heat – white knight – white lightening (home made refreshment).
Black is always sinister: black hearted – black ball – black list – blackmail- black market – all less than desirable.

 But as a public service, here is what a favorite color says about you – and others -  from a psychological standpoint:

RED: 
A person who is aggressive, energetic and impulsive.  Has deep feelings, but lacks patience.

BLUE: 
A person who is aloof, steadfast and a bit intolerant.  Forms friendships slowly and hates conflict.

GREEN: 
A calm, quiet person who avoids embarrassing situations. Prefers to be peaceful and without stress.

LAVENDER: 
The choice of a sentimental, highly civilized, neat person who hates rudeness and vulgarity.  (Lavender was the favorite color of my mother, who was always right.)

ORANGE:
People who select this color are usually the life of the party and have a good disposition,  Not a heavy thinker and dislikes to be alone.

YELLOW:
Intellectual and idealistic.  Loves new fashions and new ideas.  Wants to help the world, but only on their terms.

BROWN:
A dependable and conservative person.  Shrewd with money and susceptible to flattery.  Likely to help others whether they need help or not.

PURPLE: 
Denotes an artistic personality. Touches of genius ,  a sharp wit and keen mind.  A loyal friend, but an unrelenting enemy.  Open and charming with people, but no one really knows this person.

The gist of the new study is:  Tred softly around people in red; don’t try to be too friendly with people who wear blue. Don’t embarrass people in green, mind your manners with people in lavender, cultivate someone in orange to have fun, ask somone in yellow for opinions on world affairs and elect people who wear brown.

And for goodness sake, don’t mess with people in purple.