Where to Meet ISTPs?

[CzeCze]

Hi all, it's another dreaded fluffy "where can I find XXXX" threads. Why? Because someone in another thread pointed out that ISTPs are ENFPs duals (according to socionics, I know, it gets really messy and inexact, just pretend this works) and wanted to know how we got along.

Thing is, I have never met another ISTP that I know of. I have, however, met and know plenty of NPs. Oh, I've also met a number of INFJs (they host great parties! LOL)

But, no ISTPs.

Sooooo - where do I meet ISTPs?

How can I tell if someone is an ISTP?

THANKS!

[Azseroffs]

It seems I've inspired you to find your dual!

As far as I know, ISTPs like outdoor activities like hiking, surfing, and such. It's definitely true for the one I know. Lately he's been mountain biking through trails a lot and he's always at the gym. He keeps me active.

[warm8]

on the contrary, I hardly ever do anything active outside besides swimming but that's only very occasionally. I'd prefer to workout indoors or somethin!

definitely shoot for one though. my girlfriend is ENFP and she's the yin to my yang.

[BlackCat]

ISTPs like applying the logic that they have to the physical world in some way, they don't feel like they are really living unless they do that. ISTPs I know seem to like doing things, sports, video gaming, physical activities, maybe body building, etc. A lot of ISTPs I've noticed are into cars in some way, an ISTP friend of mine is an automobile and mechanical genius. He can fix anything.

[Bamboo]

I like to hang out at my local bookstore/cafe (actually just came from there). I browse/read the books on

- architecture (especially ones with lots of detailed plans, I like that sorta thing)
- psychology (Blink, Rapt, assorted neuro-psychology books/reference books are some recent examples)
- practical things, like Kelly Blue Book, firearm price guide, cook books, some other things.

For what it's worth, I am apparently very animated while reading (was told this by a lady who was practicing her sketching and I became her subject by chance). I sit wherever, the noise/chatter of the "fray" is generally not distracting.

So... in your local bookstore/cafe, look for the comfortably but cleanly dressed guys/gals who seem like they are perhaps interacting with their texts. I don't read any fiction, but that's just me. If they seem intensely interested in what appears to be an obscure textbook (such as one on architecture) that might be a sign. I typically read really intensely and then completely disconnect and just look around the room a lot, so look for that (or does everyone do that?). I'm generally open for conversation during those periods when I'm just looking around, so do your ENFP thang and jump in there.

other places/stuff I do/want to do:
- working on bikes, my car, other equipment
- i want to get into some rec sports leagues (maybe)
- been considering becoming an EMT for a while
- paintball
- biking
- trail running
- thinking about taking a design/art class
- occasional museums

That should get the gears turning.

[StephMC]

There's a Barnes & Noble here combined with a Starbucks and a Gamestop. That's pretty much genius to me. I spend hours there, as would any ISTP, I would imagine. So look for super awesome places like that :P

Oh, and zoos are good too.

[millerm277]

Pretty much everyone I know/am friends with, aren't people I know because of running into them one day, and striking up a conversation with them, that sort of thing doesn't really happen. They're people I've done things with or worked with in something. Be that working on the technical aspects of theater, skiing, some type of project, etc. So, figure out a physical or hands on activity, get involved with it. Don't go out of your way to try to get to know people that well until you've been doing it for at least a couple weeks. Then start looking around for ISTPs.

[CzeCze]

You know, from reading these responses and thinking about it - I think my uncle might be ISTP. He's very much a loner but not necessarily shy and not timid - in fact he used to get into a lot of fights when he was a kid. Now he works with supercomputers/processors (I just know that these machines are really big), and he spends most of his free time combining his love of the internet, technology, and skiing. He looks for deals on skiing equipment online, then he hangs out in the garage prepping and fixing the ski equipment he bought, then he goes skiing. He lives in a snowy/cold area, so you can get good skiiing in several months out of the year. Then again, my dad is INTJ and he loves skiing too - he doesn't tool around in the garage fixing and maintaining ski equipment though like my uncle.

Umm...I get the feeling meeting an ISTP, for me at least, would be tough. I am neither outdoorsy nor do I have technical hobbies.

I have hung out at combination book/coffe/gaming stores though. Didn't meet an ISTP there though. Sigh.

Some of the things Bamboo listed are also things I (and 'typical' ENFPs) would enjoy, like architecture, museums, design/art class. And I would like to start trail running and paintball.

I think the randomness of ENFPs usually helps us in meeting different kinds of people, but that only goes so far because again, typically ENFPs are not into mechanical/technical hobbies nor are we necessarily into the outdoors. Okay, scratch 'typical ENFP' and insert just myself.

[nozflubber]

Mechanic shops, Radio Shack, flea markets and garage sales, White Castle or taco bell, pornography stores, Engineering Departments at Unis, martial arts places.




and no, i'm not joking about ANY of those all greats places to spot ISTPs.....assuming you're trying to spot male ones, anyway. ISTP women can be a whole other bird.

Not sure why you really want to look for ISTPs anyways, czecze, you wouldn't like many of them IMO. ISTPs may not be your "thing" if you don't like people who like cheap things/stuff, or people who seek the simplest/cheapest way to do something.... (insinuation: maybe that's why you're not finding them :p )

[Bamboo]

Originally Posted by StephMC939

There's a Barnes & Noble here combined with a Starbucks and a Gamestop. That's pretty much genius to me. I spend hours there, as would any ISTP, I would imagine. So look for super awesome places like that :P

Oh, and zoos are good too.

Yeah, the place I was talking about was a B&N/Starbucks combo. But no gamestop .

I think it's for the better that I have denied myself an xbox because I'd get considerably less sunlight than I do now

Originally Posted by millerm277

Pretty much everyone I know/am friends with, aren't people I know because of running into them one day, and striking up a conversation with them, that sort of thing doesn't really happen. They're people I've done things with or worked with in something. Be that working on the technical aspects of theater, skiing, some type of project, etc. So, figure out a physical or hands on activity, get involved with it. Don't go out of your way to try to get to know people that well until you've been doing it for at least a couple weeks. Then start looking around for ISTPs.

Solid advice.

Originally Posted by CzeCze

He looks for deals on skiing equipment online, then he hangs out in the garage prepping and fixing the ski equipment he bought, then he goes skiing. He lives in a snowy/cold area, so you can get good skiiing in several months out of the year. Then again, my dad is INTJ and he loves skiing too - he doesn't tool around in the garage fixing and maintaining ski equipment though like my uncle.

Perhaps ISTP, but he just sounds like a good planner.

I have hung out at combination book/coffe/gaming stores though. Didn't meet an ISTP there though. Sigh.

Some of the things Bamboo listed are also things I (and 'typical' ENFPs) would enjoy, like architecture, museums, design/art class. And I would like to start trail running and paintball.

Hmm what are the ENFPs reading in the bookstore?

Well at least I'm off to a good start...I should join that art class.

I think the randomness of ENFPs usually helps us in meeting different kinds of people, but that only goes so far because again, typically ENFPs are not into mechanical/technical hobbies nor are we necessarily into the outdoors. Okay, scratch 'typical ENFP' and insert just myself.

Hmm...find something related to technical hobbies that isn't necessarily technical for you. Like maybe you enjoy looking at cool cars even though you don't know anything about them. You're bound to meet people who are into the mechanics of them. That sorta thing.