More observations
ENFJs — can seem pretentious. They love gourmet foods. They’d subscribe to Opera Digest or Food and Wine. If you want to go to a new restaurant, ask the ENFJ. He’ll always have an excellent suggestion. I’m amazed at how perceptive and indulgent they can be with food. The Extroverted-Feeling combo makes them very effusive and oblivious to embarrassment. If an idea or comment goes against their felt values, the ENFJ has great difficulty expressing that and will come off as mysteriously aggressive. Often clothes-horses since they relish the positive emotive extraversion of a new outfit.
ENTJs — exude confidence. People love to follow an ENTJ. They naturally take charge and relieve other’s fears. May aspire to be jack-of-all-trades. A poorly educated ENTJ will be continually frustrated because his large personality will not find a leadership position that it needs for actualization.
INTJs — exude a different sort of confidence. Not quite as affable as their extroverted friends, but still their system-building makes them practical and reliable. Will often have blindspots (obvious to others) that need correction. Aristotle was an INTJ, I think.
ISTPs — Love the process. Love it. To a fault. They will work and work and work with no end in sight. Can make frustrating leaders because they are incapable of planning ahead. Resist criticism because they can’t ever perceive a problem. They avoid conflict at all costs.
ISFPs — act with their belly. Egocentric. Poor at expressing themselves with words. Because of that inability, they often resort to the cruelly inappropriate. They need to find a way to feature their hands-on gifts. If you need to design a dress or plan a garden, ask an ISFP. He may not tell you, but he’ll show you . . . if you can talk him into it!
ESFPs — really fun-loving. Compelling. No secrets with them. They are easy-going team-players which can be a hindrance since they agree to things that may not be in their best interest. Their homes will be a constant mess.
ISTJs — blunt. Impatient if misunderstood. Will religiously be early to appointments. Nothing truly egocentric about them since they are more likely to enforce external standards than their own (as opposed to ENFJs). Will correct a perceived error with great energy. Common things you’ll hear from an ISTJ: “I can’t help it.” “Why did you mess with the recipe when it was perfect before?” and “I can’t find it if it’s not in the right place.” They love a good laugh which you wouldn’t expect as duty-fulfillers. I tend to think that ISTJs especially relish fantasy because it’s their exact opposite. Neat, yes, but not necessarily insistent that everyone else be as neat as they. Instead, they’ll be incredulous that not everyone is as neat as they. If observing something of which they do not approve, don’t expect an ISTJ to hide their opinion. Their disapproval will ooze out of every pore. ADA Jack McCoy on Law & Order and Hank Hill on King of the Hill are ISTJs. ISTJs are an INFJ’s enigma. Then why do my sweet ISTJ hubby and I get along so well? Is it because we so completely misunderstand each other?
ISFJs — nurturing. They insist that they are intuitive, but their intuitive sense is simply not very strong. They are just not aware of how unaware they are. Since their feeling is so strong, that makes them willing to meet the sensory needs of those around them.
ESFJs — consummate hosts. Lovable and very generous. Assume an authority that’s not often welcome. Not at all exotic in their style (may even be dowdy) and in fact, prefer the Taste at Home kind of cooking to Food and Wine. If you need to cook a roast, mash potatoes, or bake bread, ask an ESFJ. They’ll always know how and would relish teaching you! Fiercely loyal to their own kin — without necessary criticism or guidance. They are easily wounded and lack discernment.
ESTJs — often difficult to have a conversation with an ESTJ. They tend to speak in declarative sentences and resist discussion (”Why would anyone disagree with me when I’m so obviously right?”). Make terrific parliamentarians and judges. They are neat freaks too (like ISTJs), but they will also expect those around them to conform to their neatness. They have an ample wardrobe, too, of some very fine clothes; but they buy them not for the positive feeling it gives them but for the status they communicate. Plato must have been one! ;)
INFPs — all empathy. They feel deeply for many people. Their rich fantasy life makes them creative but often mysterious to those around them. They are often flotsam on a sea of emotions and that can quickly wear them out. From what I’ve seen, INFPs have difficult expressing negative emotions which they tend (as Ps) to just avoid. The negative feelings will often pile up into rage and burst at the smallest trigger.
INFJs — An unactualized INFJ grows bitter and more and more introspective. She then will seek out only those people who validate that bitterness. An INFJ is very perceptive and will, without a hefty measure of grace, obsess about one fine detail that no one else can perceive or would care to. May come off as snobby but is really painfully shy. The INFJ has to learn to turn his critique and perceptiveness in on himself. Hamlet is the quintessential flawed INFJ. He is often oblivious to the fact that his observations are unwelcome even if well-intentioned. Can be very vivid and wordy with reflecting feelings and that amplifying may make the observer or recipient uncomfortable (notice how long Hamlet can jabber about ontological possibilities. Notice how long I’m talking here!). It’s too overwhelming or revealing for those around him. Perhaps the INFJ needs to learn to keep it brief and tantalizing.
Yes, yes — I’m trying to critique myself in that last paragraph. I know it.
cklewis on June 7th, 2005 | File Under Think | 2 Comments -