Ask the ISTJ

[RansomedbyFire]

So, since I hear that ISTJ's are so hard to figure out... You can ask us any question here, and we (or at least I) will try to enlighten you.

Fire away!

[Jennifer]

All right: When someone challenges your mindset on something (or proceeds to knock down as many of your points as they can), does it bother you on a personal level? Or is it just an intellectual conflict and thus "business"?

[RansomedbyFire]

Originally Posted by Jennifer

All right: When someone challenges your mindset on something (or proceeds to knock down as many of your points as they can), does it bother you on a personal level? Or is it just an intellectual conflict and thus "business"?

It depends on what the topic being discussed is. But yes, there are quite a few (mostly pertaining to politics, morals, and religion) that I guess you could say bother me on a personal level. With most other things, I'm pretty good at not getting knocked down.

[Usehername]

What kind of compliments flatter you most?

Be specific. And I've read all the PUMII wrt the SJs. So, just like I will own up to brimming with feel-goodness when someone calls me a genius who never follows the crowd and always does her own thing, what really makes you feel great that people recognize about you?
What do you want to be seen as?

Be specific. (And to an ISTJ, this means don't leave stuff out on purpose, as opposed to a reminder to include the details)

[Jennifer]

Originally Posted by RansomedbyFire

It depends on what the topic being discussed is. But yes, there are quite a few (mostly pertaining to politics, morals, and religion) that I guess you could say bother me on a personal level. With most other things, I'm pretty good at not getting knocked down.

You seem so far to be dealing with any discussion here well enough and have seemed to take everything in stride (most notably the religious conversations). Was that the case, or were we a little too hard about things?

You just seem very resilient and tough, like the other ISTJ women I have known; but I wanted to make sure that I was not misreading things. (Since the goal was not to make anyone feel bad.)

[Lookin4theBestNU]

If your best friend asks you to tell them the complete truth are you more likely to a) tell it how you truly see it b) soften it up because it's your best friend c) avoid it if possible?

[RansomedbyFire]

Originally Posted by Usehername

What kind of compliments flatter you most?

Be specific. And I've read all the PUMII wrt the SJs. So, just like I will own up to brimming with feel-goodness when someone calls me a genius who never follows the crowd and always does her own thing, what really makes you feel great that people recognize about you?
What do you want to be seen as?

Be specific. (And to an ISTJ, this means don't leave stuff out on purpose, as opposed to a reminder to include the details)

Well, personally - and once again, I don't know if I'm speaking for all ISTJs or not - the thing I would most like to hear is that I am liked/likeable... which is a stretch sometimes... lol. ...or that people admire me for the way I do things... or that I have been an inspiration.

Now, compliments on looks, smarts, etc. are fine; but I guess these other areas are the ones I tend to question myself about.

Originally Posted by Jennifer

You seem so far to be dealing with any discussion here well enough and have seemed to take everything in stride (most notably the religious conversations). Was that the case, or were we a little too hard about things?

You just seem very resilient and tough, like the other ISTJ women I have known; but I wanted to make sure that I was not misreading things. (Since the goal was not to make anyone feel bad.)

Let me clarify this. It bothers me when I am being contronted with points I can't debunk in a religious debate. Personally, I haven't found any of those here yet. Sure, there are people on here who have different opinions of who Jesus is, for example, but they didn't really address the dispute to me. It's just their personal opinion. You should've seen me in Relgion class though (college course). THAT ticked me off, and the professor and I got into it a couple times. lol.

Originally Posted by Lookin4theBestNU

If your best friend asks you to tell them the complete truth are you more likely to a) tell it how you truly see it b) soften it up because it's your best friend c) avoid it if possible?

Once again, it depends on what exactly they want to know. I have had times where I haven't been completely honest with very close friends, basically to protect myself; but I think this comes from how much I learned to lie as a teenager because it was what was best for me. However, I have also learned since then that, as hard as it can be, it's better to be honest in the first place, especially when your best friend is a prophet, lol. (no joke).

Now, I have been known for being brutally honest; and, alot of times, with friends, it's mostly 'cause I don't see where it will hurt them ('cause I don't think it would hurt me) but sometimes it does.

And then there are times where I do simply omit things...

[Jennifer]

Originally Posted by RansomedbyFire

Well, personally - and once again, I don't know if I'm speaking for all ISTJs or not - the thing I would most like to hear is that I am liked/likeable...

Not that I am buttering you up... but I do think you are very likable!

[Usehername]

What about "competent"?

I keep telling my ISTJ people that they're really competent. Because they are. Is taht just me projecting toward others what I want to hear of myself? Does that really resonate with you, or is it just a nice compliment?

[RansomedbyFire]

Originally Posted by Jennifer

Not that I am buttering you up... but I do think you are very likable!

*ISTJ is flattered.*

See... it's just that easy, lol.