NEW YORK POST: Accused Chinese agent Linda Sun boasted Gov. Hochul ‘much more obedient’ than Andrew Cuomo

This is how most Chinese assess American character: on a scale if 1 to 10, how obedient are you? https://t.co/Q2ma7u6Pk4

— St. Michael, the Archangel (@aveng_angel) December 4, 2025

Here are the most reliable, observable signs that reveal how obedient (or compliant) a person tends to be in real-life situations. These are drawn from psychology research (e.g., Milgram’s obedience studies, Hofstede’s power-distance work, personality psychology, and decades of workplace/military studies).

STRONG INDICATORS OF HIGH OBEDIENCE or COMPLIANCE 

Quick acceptance of authority symbolsSalutes, stands up, or says “yes sir/ma’am” when someone in uniform, a lab coat, or with a title enters.Uses formal titles unprompted (“Doctor,” “Sergeant,” “Manager”).

LOW PUSHBACK AGAINST RULES, EVEN TRIVIAL OR QUESTIONABLE ONES

Follows dress codes, signage (“employees must wash hands”), or minor procedures without questioning.Rarely asks “Why?” when given an order.

DISCOMFORT WITH AMBIGUITY OR BREAKING PROTOCOL

Becomes anxious or apologetic if they accidentally violate a rule.Prefers written instructions over verbal “just use your judgment.”

HIGH CONFORMITY IN ASCH-TYPE SITUATIONS

Will go along with obvious group wrong answers rather than stand out (you can test this casually in small experiments).

PEOPLE-PLEASING AND CONFLICT AVOIDANCE

Says “sure, no problem” even when mildly inconvenienced.Apologizes excessively or backs down quickly in disagreements.

RESPECT FOR HIERARCHY AND TRADITION

Defers to older people, bosses, or “experts” automatically.Scores high on Hofstede’s Power Distance Index tendencies (common in many East Asian, Latin American, and some European cultures).

BIG FIVE PERSONALITY TRAIT: VERY LOW ASSERTIVENESS & HIGH AGREEABLENESS

In the HEXACO model: extremely low “Rebelliousness” facet, high “Conscientiousness” (duty/organization facet).

RESPONSE TO THE MILGRAM-STYLE PROMPT (INFORMAL TEST)

If you give a direct order phrased as coming from legitimate authority (“The policy requires you to…”), a highly obedient person will comply even if it feels slightly wrong or inconvenient.

SIGNS OF LOW OBEDIENCE (HIGH INDEPENDENCE & REBELLIOUSNESS)

Questions authority routinely (“Who decided this?” “Why this way?”)Comfortable bending or ignoring rules they consider stupidHigh Machiavellianism or narcissism scoresHistory of whistleblowing, getting fired for insubordination, or frequent job-hopping because “I won’t follow dumb rules”

QUICK FIELD TESTS YOU CAN USE (ETHICALLY)

Give a mildly absurd but harmless instruction from a position of authority (“Please fill out this form in pencil only, then immediately erase it”). Highly obedient people will do it without laughing or pushing back.Put up a fake sign (“All visitors must wear sticker name tags—see front desk”) and watch who complies without questioning.

In short: the strongest predictors are automatic deference to authority symbols, discomfort with rule-breaking, and a habitual “yes” response to legitimate-sounding requests—especially when personal consequences for refusal are low.