Introverts

I started dating a guy I believe is an INTJ. He appears quite stoic, serious, and sarcastic, and prefers to talk about “real” things rather than inane small talk (or not talk at all). He is a perfectionist, and can’t seem to start another project until the current one is complete. He likes tried and tested quality products and brands, so a lot of his tastes is old school. But the most striking thing about him I found was his introversion.

He is probably the most introverted person I know. I thought I had understood introversion because I had once thought I was introverted, but his behavior makes it so much clearer. If he spends time with a family member or a friend, or runs errands during the day, he must retreat from the world the rest of the day. He has a set amount of time he is able to spend socializing, so we don’t see each other as often as I would like, but I appreciate that I am important enough to have a share in that precious time.

I had thought I was introverted because I often needed time by myself to think, and felt energized by the thinking. I realize now though, that I get more energy from external stimuli, particularly those that offer an interesting idea or problem. So if there is no thought that keeps my mind turning, I get itchy to go outside. I look for junk shops, flea markets, hardware stores, and people who discuss interesting things (I don’t look for people merely to socialize and small talk). I had not seen the distinction between shyness and introversion. I was shy, which is a social “introversion”, but ultimately I am extraverted.

Introverts, particularly those with Fi or a lower order Fe, need a lot of understanding and patience. It is only after meeting my INTJ that I have really learned this, and I find myself defending the extreme introverts’ needs against the common social expectations modeled on extraverted behavior. Some people understand you, introverts!

Love, ENTP.

An ENTP’s Emotional Attachment

ENTPs tend to express themselves in a direct manner, unless they are being playfully coy or charmingly evasive. But there is another instance when they (or at least, I) prefer to mask this directness, using doubt or distance. It is when I find myself becoming attached to certain people and I am at risk of revealing too much of my “soft” side.

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Eat your greens.

mindfart:

Colleague 1 reading a multi-vitamin bottle: This sounds like its got a whole variety of goodness.  Even chlorophyll.

Colleague 2: Chlorophyll.  What’s that?

Colleague 1: I don’t know but it must be a good vitamin.  They’ve put a lot of it in here.

Me: It’s the stuff that makes leaves green.

Colleague 2: Wow. That’s Science.  You’re smart.

Colleague 1: Where did you learn that?

Me: Primary School.

Colleague 1: What kind of school did you go to? (pause) Wait, what kind of school did I go to?

PipeThoughtoftheDay #1

pipethoughtsrob:

A numerous amount of pipe-smokers belong to smoking clubs, organizations, or have a loyal group of friends who share the love and interest for pipe smoking. Some even smoke by themselves more than with a group (This often applies to me!), and enjoy the quiet and serene atmosphere.

What about you?

Should pipe smoking groups be promoted? If so, how?

I am the only pipe smoker I know, so I smoke by myself. I find it a nice ritual at the end of a day when I want some quiet time alone to reflect on the day’s events, or to daydream. There are no pipe smoking clubs in my city that I know of, and the smoking laws don’t permit smoking in any public areas. I would love to be able to sit in a park and smoke, but no.