Do people call you a hard-hearted person? Or are you always giving in and being taken advantage of? Ever wondered if you are a tough nut or a softie? Go ahead and find out.

1. A scruffy person approaches you for the price of a cheap meal:
a. You give him as much as you can afford and start to worry about how he could have fallen into this sorry state.
b. You give him $1 and forget him.
c. You offer to take him to a café and buy him something to eat and drink.
d. You ignore him; he’s probably a drunk.

2. You are watching a movie and an animal dies in pain. How do you react?
a. Feel moved, but remind yourself that is isn’t real.
b. Tell yourself they only have animals in films to kill them.
c. Wonder how they got the animal to perform so well.
d. You cry and have to leave the cinema.

3. A date you met through friends doesn’t give you a home number and never seems free at weekends. How do you respond?
a. See someone else at weekends.
b. Find out if the person is attached.
c. Break it off. You think you’re being two-timed.
d. Respect the person’s privacy and go out with your other friends instead.

4. Does cosmetic advertising get to you with all its promises of beautiful skin?
a. You feel better, so you look better – it’s all psychological.
b. You are a devout believer and have drawers full of cosmetics to prove it.
c. Any old cream on the skin delays ageing when you start to look like a prune.
d. It’s all cunningly worded rubbish meant to make you buy something you don’t need.

5. A friend you are about to go out with suddenly discovers he has left his wallet and cheque-book at home. You:
a. Offer to wait while he goes back in a taxi to get it.
b. Offer to lend him some money.
c. Offer to treat him.
d. Suggest you make it another time.

6. A sad-looking woman arrives on your door-step one morning selling stuff like pencils, dried flowers and tissues. What do you do?
a. Tell her you are in a hurry to go out shopping and can’t spare her a minute.
b. Grab something cheap and useful.
c. Tell her she’s only selling rubbish, and send her away.
d. Buy a whole bag of tissues and listen to her life story.

7. You’re at a chalet with friends and everyone is supposed to help clean up after dinner. But some complain that they are tired and try to go to sleep. How do you react?
a. Tell your friends: “Let’s get this out of the way so we can all relax.”
b. Stack it all neatly in the sink and say: “We’ll do it in the morning, shall we?
c. They may have problems, so as soon as you have washed up you talk to them about them.
d. Throw away the leftovers and go out for a walk on the beach.

8. Up to what age did you believe in (X) fairies, (Y) Santa Claus and (Z) God?
a. (X) about six or seven (Y) about 11 or 12 (Z) doesn’t everyone still believe in him?
b. You have always had your doubts; gave up (X) and (Y) when you were six or seven (Z) no comment.
c. You have never really believed but you go along with them as harmless, often charming fictions.
d. Religion, superstition and fairies are just the opium of the masses.

9. How do you respond to advertising claims?
a. You concentrate on the facts and let the inflated claims flow over you.
b. You read between the lines for what is not claimed for this product with potential.
c. You imagined how much better life would be if you had the product the words are trying to conjure up.
d. You marvel at the cunning way the words are written and the obviously deliberate distortion of the document.

10. It’s been a wonderful holiday and some friends you’ve met overseas have promised to write. You:
a. Invite them over to your place for Christmas.
b. Take note that they haven’t actually asked for your address.
c. Say, “Goodbye – it’s been great knowing you” and forget them.
d. Give them your address and leave anything more to them.

11. How many of the following do you think, “There may be something in it?” Horoscopes, ghosts, palmistry, AHA creams, aromatherapy, reading tea leaves, vitamin supplements, feng shui, lucky numbers.
a. Three or less.
b. Four to six.
c. Seven or more but none really affect you seriously.
d. Seven or more, and some of them actually govern what you do or think.

Score 40 or more
You’re everybody’s idea of a real sweetie. Being warm and responsive is very charming, but there are always those around prepared to take advantage. Experience will toughen up that tender skin of yours.

Score between 30 and 40
You are neither a real pushover nor a tough nut. Sometimes people may think you give way easily, but in fact it’s just that you don’t really care all that much. You are easy-going, tolerant and generous, partly because it’s easier to be like that.

Score between 20 and 30
No one would call you a risk-taker; you are cautious to the extreme. Could be that under that well-protected exterior you are vulnerable and could be hurt or disappointed. Maybe it’s time to take a few risks – the experience might be both exciting and invigorating.

Score under 20
You are the genuine armor-plated tough nut. Uncompromising and unyielding, people find you slightly intimidating. Assuming the worst, especially about other people’s intentions, may sometimes encourage them to be the worst. Try to be a little more giving in your judgment even if it means you are sometimes disappointed.