Very interesting. I think I noticed something like this based on cultural differences with my girlfriend. I am an INFJ shes an ENFJ we share many similarities in the way we process things, but the way she does it, while definitely NF Fe, Ni as an ENFJ does, she is different from the other ENFJs I know. She is also black (the other ENFJs I know are white)
Can you explain more in your opinion on how cultural differences between whites vs blacks will manifest in usage of say Ni or Fe?
I don't know if this needs to be in a different thread or not, I'll let Lucky Rabbit decide. I'm curious to know what you see different as well...we can compare notes.
Firstly, when I think I'm dealing with a Fe-dom (regardless of race), particularly an ENFJ who isn't presenting as a mythical ENFJ the thing that clues me in first is the person isn't emitting much. I'm not talking about temperature or friendliness or outgoingness or anything like that, it's more or less a feeling that I'm getting a very pleasant yet unremarkable facade. I say facade in the sense that I'm seeing the outside of something, I really can't see through the windows, but the outside is not necessarily being misrepresented. This isn't fake or manufactured nor do I see it as hiding anything. I literally interpret it as being in a waiting area or foyer to their home, this is where I've been "put" and an effort will be made to keep this area as comfortable as possible. This is not a cookie-cutter space, this space is where we talk to each other it's filled with our own particular artifacts. I realize this person also similar spaces for other people, each decorated with their own particular artifacts specific to their interactions. I don't resist being in that space and I generally appreciate the fact this person has created this place for us. This space is where we can safely figure out if we want get closer to each other or not. I suppose people would call this formal, but I don't see it as such.
The white NJs I know are all through work. One INTJ female (she's cool as hell...I like her alot), one INTJ man (one year I mentioned I went to the local Pride Parade, found out he was gay and we started talking from there. I'm not even sure how that topic came up but he warmed to me considerably after that), and three ENFJ women. It's interesting because with the ENFJ women I got that above feeling with them. Two of their types were confirmed earlier this year when we took the MBTI and I'm pretty confident about the third but of course I could be wrong.
All I can say is what I see from the outside. These observations are based on conversations we've had over the last few years. If I count myself as ENFJ and compare myself to them, they are goopier than me, more emotive---but we're similarly excitable. When I say goopy, I mean there's a romantic element to them, which I feel less comfortable in expressing than them. When I say similarly excitable I mean I see how similar things can get us going and once any of us start going, just pull up a seat. I think they're more conscientious and sympathetic than me and I'm more detached, analytical and political than them. I have less of a tendency to give the benefit of the doubt than they do, are more skeptical and suspicious of people and their motives. I can see how they're more prone to look for the positive in people, while I'm more prone to getting an accurate picture of someone, regardless of if it's positive or negative. One of the ENFJs has expressed such sentiments, so I don't feel completely crazy in thinking not so pleasant things. I feel like they are more easily offended than me and I have thicker skin. I feel like they are better charmers and smooth conflict better, while I'm less conflict-avoidant and put things out front and on the table more. I feel more realistic and they're more optimistic and have more contagious enthusiasm. As far as idealism is concerned, I feel like they have said some things that make me think they're naively idealistic...like "If I could buy the world a coke" kind of thing, which just strikes me as level one beginner. When I have had conversations about things like race (one particular conversation about the Prison Industrial Complex) with one of them she was visibly uncomfortable so I just stopped.
I think enneagram has something to do with this and I'm a 1w2 and from what I can guess they are two 2w3s and one 3w2 so that may account for some differences as well. The 3w2 is the flashiest and most SP-like out of the the ENFJs. She's very quick...things happen very fast with her and she carries a wind. I think she comes across as The Mythical ENFJ the most.
The Ni Fe difference seems to be more or less how it presents, how it's focused, what it chooses to focus on more than anything else. I only know black INFJs and they are very close friends I've known for years so I may not see them as clearly as the others. What I can see in comparison is not as ethereal and otherworldly. Appearance-wise, there's nothing outstanding about them so it's more a mental thing. More political, feel more present and have greater presence, not in their heads as much, feel sharper, laser-like, homing device, more incisive feel that is very much aimed and directed at people, while the white ENFJs seem to use their Ni Fe for how to smoothing and winning people over, but not necessarily to "cut through" anything or get to root causes. I hope that makes sense. The black NFJs say more soul searing comments, but that has more to do with how comfortable you with another person. Comparing them to INFJs on the forum, they don't obscure themselves as much and are more direct. Like I said they're my friends, and I'm comparing working relationships to personal relationships which can lead to discrepancies. And they're INFJs not ENFJs.
I think I've met one black ENFJ. She was a temp and we took to each other very quickly. I'm not quite sure how this happened, but we never exchanged emails or phone numbers and she was only at my job for one month, so while we'd hang out at work and after work once she left the assignment I never knew what happened to her. I could've found her if I wanted to and I'm sure she could've found me, but I didn't try. It was weird. I think we poked at each other and that was that.