Everything I Learned About Life, I Learned in Dance Class (24 page)

How Well Do You Handle Losing?

Answer the following questions truthfully. Then see how you rate.

1. You buy a Lotto ticket and miss the jackpot by one number. You:

A. Scream, curse, and shove the ticket down the trash compactor.

B. Buy a ticket for next week. There’s always tomorrow!

C. Blame your husband for picking the wrong numbers. What the hell is wrong with him?

2. Another mom is chosen to be class parent. You:

A. Send her a nasty e-mail—how dare that bitch steal your job!

B. Congratulate her and ask if there’s anything you can do to help.

C. Demand a recount of the vote. Someone stuffed that ballot box!

3. Your neighbor’s kid is playing Snow White in the elementary school play and your daughter got cast as Dopey. You:

A. Switch schools: clearly they don’t recognize talent when they see it.

B. Sew her an adorable dwarf costume and tell her how proud of her you are.

C. Ask the teacher how much money it took to make that loser’s runt the lead.

4. You play a round of tennis with your BFF and she kicks your butt. You:

A. Hurl your racket at her head.

B. Offer to buy her lunch—she deserves it.

C. Insist that the tennis pro check your racket, your sneakers, and the net. Clearly, something is amiss!

5. Your little sister just announced that she’s gotten a huge job promotion. You’re a stay-at-home mom. You:

A. Call her office and make sure they know what they’re in for—your sis is way too young for so much responsibility!

B. Send her flowers and a congrats card.

C. Scream at your husband and kids for getting you into this situation.

If you answered mostly As:

A little bitter, are we? Do you think pitching a fit and throwing furniture is going to get you anywhere? Have you met Cathy?

If you answered mostly Bs:

You are a graceful and gracious loser. You appreciate that it’s not always about winning, it’s how you play the game. Kudos for your self-control.

If you answered mostly Cs:

Have you looked in the mirror lately? Because there’s the person who’s really to blame. Stop shrugging off the responsibility for your shortcomings and you won’t lose so often.

PHOTO SECTION