Pigs

Maggie A · June 2003

I have attended a couple of meetings where we have been asked to draw a picture of a pig. Then the facilitator reads a list of qualities based on your rention of a pig. For example, if the pig is facing left it means you're outgoing, if the picture is of a pig face on it means something else. And the best part - the length of the tail is a sign of your sex life. Does anyone have the list of descriptions associated with this exercise. It's a great ice breaker!
Thanks,
Maggie

PAhr · June 2003

Here it is. Hope you enjoy!

This icebreaker is not scientific, but it's good for a lot of laughs, gets students thinking and talking, and sets the stage for a good experience in the course. Students come to class the first day with a myriad apprehensions. Use this to loosen them up a little.
The Pig Personality Profile is short and simple. Give students the following instructions: "On a blank piece of 8 1/2 x 11 paper, draw a pig. Don't look at your neighbors' pigs. Don't even glance." Say no more. Do not explain the purpose of the exercise. Give the students just three minutes or so to complete their drawings, then explain in a tongue-and-cheek fashion how their pig drawings are a useful test of their personality traits.

If the pig is drawn . . .

Toward the top of the paper, you are a positive, optimistic person.

Toward the middle of the paper, you are a realist.

Toward the bottom of the paper, you are a pessimist and have a tendency to be negative.

Facing left, you are traditional, friendly, and good at remembering dates, including birthdays.

Facing forward (or angled forward), you are direct, enjoy playing "the devil's advocate," and neither fear nor avoid discussions.

Facing right, you are innovative and active but do not have a strong sense of family, and you are not good at remembering dates.

With many details, you are analytical, cautious, and distrustful.

With few details, you are emotional and naïve, care little for details, and are a risk-taker.

With four legs showing, you are secure and stubborn, and you stick to your ideals.

With less than four legs, you are insecure or are going through a period of major change.

With large ears, you are a good listener. The larger the ears, the better listener you are.

With a long tail, you have a good sex life. The longer the tail, the better it is.
You can end with the comment: "I won't attest to the accuracy of the results, other than to guarantee some laughter and amusement." Somehow do make sure that students understand that it is not a serious test of personality traits. The author has given the test to over 400 students and never offended anyone.

Example:

Because the pig at the right was drawn near the top of the paper (not shown), the artist is a positive, optimistic person. And because the pig is facing left, the artist believes in tradition, is friendly, and remembers dates.

Maggie A · June 2003

Thanks so much, this is exactly what I had in mind.
Maggie

Don D · June 2003

Maggie: I recommend you run this by PORK before using the test. He probably has some updates. I think he uses this exact exercise in his screening process. i.e., if your pig has the hooves, tail and eyes removed and he appears to be in a prone position, you will indeed make a great deboner in the processing area. If he is a particularly bright shade of pink, you will be excellent over in bacon. If your caricature is large rumped, you will be assigned to the Boston Butt corner of the plant. This is actually very scientific. x:-)

Maggie A · June 2003

Wonder what kind of results I will get when I administer the test here in Las Vegas?

Don D · June 2003

Yes; it will indeed work wonderfully in Vegas, especially in the gaming industry. The ones who draw the larger rumped swine should be assigned to the buffet area, maybe the carvers that stand at the pork shoulder or beef-roast platters; the applicants who draw scowls on the faces of their pigs and little stars on their breasts, should be targeted for security (pigs?); and if the drawing illustrates an especially curvaceous, young swine the artist might be considered for the roving beverage server position. Those whose illustrations graphically depict the animal wallowing in a mud puddle might be assigned to wash the shuttles. I hope I have helped. But, remember, Pork is our resident expert. Ain't Friday Great??

Maggie A · June 2003

I don't actually know PORK, but I am getting hungry just reading your email !

Don D · June 2003

I didn't notice that you have been posting only 14 times. PORK is one of the senior 'mentors' on the board. He works in a large Mississippi pork processing industry. You will meet him soon enough. He is expert at most things including the questions you pose.

ritaanz · June 2003

Don, as I am reading this, it is past 5:00 pm in your neck of the woods. I hope you have a 6 pack waiting for you as they escort you back to your cell. You still need more therapy. You failed to comment on the curly tail, the snout or the beady little eyes. x:-)

mwild31 · June 2003

I took this test once - it was completely hilarious and also very embarrassing. I work with a group of men - all very married and slightly uptight - I am the only woman and I'm single. After we had all drawn our pigs and were admiring each others handi-work and details - commenting on each others artistry, the facilitator told us what our pig rendering meant. The only difference to the instructions listed here, was that if the tail was curly and long it meant enjoys sex very much, etc. All of my male teammates had very short straight tails. Mine, however, was very long and curly. I still get red and laugh when I think about it :oo

Don D · June 2003

I suppose anybody with 'Wild' for a last name might have that test result. How ironic. But, pigs do not have long curley tails. Proportionately they are about the length of their ears and rarely exceed 5 inches; but isn't this a bit more than you ever wanted to know about a pig?

mwild31 · June 2003

What can I say, I'm the creative type - my pig even had long eye lashes... :-)

Maggie A · June 2003

The 4 women in our Accounting Dept. all drew their pigs with long, curly tails. Good news for anyone who day dreams about those uptight ladies with their eyeglasses hanging on a chain around their necks and wearing comfortable shoes.

mwild31 · June 2003

:-)

I love it - you're Accounting Department sounds like ours!

HRQ · June 2003

This is wonderful! Every month at our Directors meetings, we have some sort of ice breaker. Our Ops Director is very creative and comes up with amazing activities. This one I haven't seen her do before, however. Will suggest it for the next meeting.

We have done toilet paper wedding gowns (yes, we are 24 women and 1 man - poor guy), hot potato (but used a stuffed bear for the potato), scavenger hunts, anything to get people out of their chairs.

Can't wait to try the pigs.

Pigs

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