Why is 'glass half empty' considered negative? And 'glass half full' considered positive?
To me, it should be the other way around!
Half full implies it was empty to begin with. Half empty implies it was full...
If a waitress handed me a glass, half full, immediate negative feelings arise. If a waitress handed me a full glass & I drank half, then I'm satisfied & don't need more yet.
Where did this backwards thinking come from? And why do employers routinely use this question in an interview? Are they looking for people who will be perfectly happy with half full?
2013-05-31T03:11:52Z
Half empty means satisfied, with spare. Half full means not yet satisfied- no spare.
Derek Gould2013-05-31T03:11:29Z
My professor used to ask that question and predictably get a mix of both answers from his students until one lateral thinker said that depended whether you were in the process of filling the glass or emptying it.
It's not backward thinking. You just have a different frame of reference to employers who use that question to test potential employees.
They haven't realised that it's a poor question which presumes the interviewee sees the situation the same way they do.
This phrase is used to tell you that your life "glass" has got a limited amount of water "items/ things you have that make you happy. But even though it is the same either way if you look at it in a positive light it seems better.
in an interviews the employers often this question to measure the mind capacity for physiologically and want to know who would be perfect for the job mentally.
i tent to be more concerned with what is in the cup. for an example if it is cyanide laced koolaid in the glass i would encourage the optimist do go ahead and drink it. everything will be alright.