[col-sect][column]I’m not the type to put much faith in or to get much out of personality tests that I didn’t already know. But I did this quick online Myers-Briggs Jung Typology test today.  72 yes-or-no questions and you hit the “Score it!” button and you get pegged as one of 12 Jung typologies, each designated by four letters for each category: introverted or extroverted, intuitive or sensing, thinking or feeling, judging or perceiving. If you do the test, I suggest, of the options that appear afterwards, clicking the “type description by J. Butt and M.M. Heiss.”

Have to admit that I was fairly impressed with the accuracy and depth of the resulting Butt/Heiss description. Butt/Heiss. In case you’re interested, my results indicate that I’m INTJ: “Introverted Intuitive, Thinking Judging.” Money quote from the INTJ profile description: “many INTJs do not readily grasp the social rituals; for instance, they tend to have little patience and less understanding of such things as small talk and flirtation (which most types consider half the fun of a relationship).”

Kind of true. I wouldn’t say that I don’t readily “grasp” social rituals. I can “grasp” them; it’s not like the concept is beyond me. “What do you mean “small talk”? Oh you mean like some people can’t just launch into a direct discussion of whatever important thing is on their mind? You mean they have to piss around and talk about the weather and their weekend and stuff first? Confused. Oh, like lubricant?” Give me a break. I get it. I just don’t need it. [/column][column]But I’m also not so dogmatic to assume that the rest of the world thinks like me. Most importantly, I get that you’re not getting very far with the ladies unless you bother to dangle the string so that the kitty can play. Not with “small” talk as much as with banter; a little progressing slo-mo is required. I get it. Irritating. Not crazy about it, because it is a pain in the ass, but such is life. ”Oh, what a connection.” Did you feel the “connection”? Oh I just had this incredible “connection.” All that talking just got me all connected. Connect connect connect. Barf. Exhausting.

I also enjoyed this part: “many [INTJ's] also find it useful to learn to simulate some degree of surface conformism in order to mask their inherent unconventionality.” Amusing. 

More amusing is that in the last few days I’ve mentioned this test to a few people: start with a little small talk, bla bla bla, social lubricant, bla bla bla, squirt squirt, bla bla bla. Then eventually you get to the part where you tell them that you’re an introvert. The reaction is this: “Oh you’ll have to work on that.” Ok, stop. No see, introversion is not a character flaw that has to be “worked on.” The common perception, perhaps by extroverts, is a natural preference for extroversion. Interesting. And maybe it’s true. Extroverts are more predictable and definable. It’s not like you’re unsure of their current emotional state or the angle they’re playing, and hence you don’t feel a discomfort about what they’re not saying. You can see them coming, they dominate when they’re around, they basically put it all out there. In that sense, the transparency that extroverts offer make them easier to deal with; because even if you don’t want to dance, you can see them crossing the room to pull you to the floor, so at least you have a few advance seconds to craft your excuse.

Still, even if there is a general preference for extroversion, I shan’t be “working on” being less introverted. I don’t think any introvert would. Ridiculous.[/column][/col-sect]

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