"So... Do you want the good news or the bad news?"

Bad news first. Get it out of the way.

down to up is generally better than up to down

I always want the bad news first.

I like this survey.

I would usually ask for the bad news first, unless it was likely to be so devastating that I wouldn't hear the good news afterwards, or where context is key to understanding the bad news properly. For example:

Doctor: 'Well it's been caught at a very early stage and I believe that we have a really good chance of curing you; I'm afraid you have cervical cancer.'
Patient: (thinking) 'Oh no! But he said he thinks I'll be okay. I'll ask him for more information...'

...is definitely preferable to:

Doctor: 'You have cervical cancer.' (carries on speaking)
Patient: (thinking) 'What? What did he just say? Oh my goodness, he's still talking, but he must be telling me how long I have. Oh God, I'm going to die. Who is going to look after my kids?'

Obviously, that's only relevant if the good news and the bad news are related.

Doctor: 'The bad news is that you have terminal cancer. The good news is that I'm willing to buy your golf clubs.'

Depends on my mood.

Give me the bad news i am dying and the good news my death comes tomorrow

I take the good news first because hearing the bad news first diminishes the impact of the good news.

Always bad news first.

It's usually more like the "bad" news or the "worse" news.

Good news. After I give them a or two.
Usually I have absolutely no patience for some one to build the suspense up in a conversation,. I say "just tell me, I don't need the drama"

Looks like we are the 'good newsie's first' group.

Bad news first. Always.

Was that the good news or the bad news?

Just give me the good news, and don't tell me about the bad. I don't really care.

The bad news.

ooooh... turtle...

Bad.

I've never had to choose, so far. If I did have to choose, I'd choose bad news. I like a happy ending.

Ha!

I'll take the bad news first please

Bad.

Practically it is best to learn the good news first, then the bad....so you don't have to suffer through the good news knowing the bad news.