I think for me, I tend to observe first before engaging. In the past, I've projected a blank enough canvas for people that they come away with wildly different impressions of me, even though internally, I'm fairly opinionated and not doormatty or bland. As I've gotten older, I've started trying to let more of my distinguishing features be apparent sooner rather than trying to only show the parts that people really respond to obviously or vibe with. I think that help kind of eliminate some of the more domineering or needy people with whom there is not much possibility of having an equal back and forth kind of interaction. In the past, I accommodated a lot and didn't show the parts where we had differences unless I was really comfortable and it led to people getting an inaccurate impression or me being stuck with people around me who were not as accommodating of or interested in me as I was willing to be with them.
Over time, I've noticed that in social situations, I tend to look for a role that's not being filled, and try to cover it. I don't feel comfortable in a group setting when I don't know what I'm contributing or where I fit in and usually will try to leave it when that is the case. So I probably act somewhat differently depending on what the situation calls for. I like working with people, but dislike group work or group decisions. I'd prefer to trailblaze something new, than fit into a model or way of doing things that's well established or must be done in a way that doesn't allow for creativity or personalization. I dress conventionally, but with little quirks here and there.
Mostly I'm serious and earnest, although warm, but when I'm really comfortable around people, I am funnier, blunter, and share more things that I'm not as sure about. I'm fairly social, and actually need others to help me process my thoughts, but also like some down time here and there. I'm easy-going and considerate in many senses, but in other patches am kind of inflexible and socially clumsy in little ways where I don't notice details.
Most of my interests are driven by how they relate to people - I don't seem to be driven by a lot of pursuits just for the love of that thing. I like that other people can allow me to experience myself in different ways - get me to try things I normally wouldn't, or to enjoy music or literature or food in a way I wouldn't have without the addition of emotional connection, to bring out parts of me that are not called for all the time... I am motivated by how others will be affected if I do or don't do something, and by figuring out patterns in human interaction and figuring out what that means for me or what principles I can extract that would be useful for others. I rarely remember specific details well, unless I make a very conscious effort to do so for a certain purpose. However, I find that I can easily take a lot of seemingly diverse bits and pieces and mulch them together into a new insight or idea that others wouldn't be likely to come up with. I rely on my more Se and Ne and Si and Te friends though to fill in the gaps that I have.
As I've gotten older, I am less prevention oriented than I used to be and maybe a bit more flexible. I prefer to interact when I'm not in the throes of strong emotion and feel like I have a birds-eye view of the situation before saying anything rash. However, I think I'm learning that it's better to be more up front about my feelings and needs earlier so that I do not accommodate and then suddenly be surprised by how resentful I feel or how lop-sided an interchange has become. That can be done not in a reactive way, but just by being more open at the beginning about what I'm thinking, or how I'd like to do something, rather than expecting people to know or reciprocate thoughtfulness. I generally find that I'm a look down the road person, who is interested in the implications of certain thoughts or actions, and am surprised when other people are not, or truly can't see what is likely to happen in the future in certain situations. I value consistency in others and become somewhat mistrustful of people that behave in ways that don't seem to match up somehow. I trust people a bit at a time, which I think has generally allowed me to be fairly optimistic about people in general because I don't get burned a lot. I definitely have blind spots, but learn from experience and most things are not wasted. Having tried to do things "the right way" though, I probably am not as funny or interesting as people who throw caution to the wind. I do tend to attract strange people and children a lot. Like if there's a crowd of people, they'd single me out and greet me or strike up conversation. I think my thoughts are fairly visible on my face and I'm just enough curious about people that I seem a bit open. As I've gotten older, that seems to be something that I can better close off though when I don't want some kinds of people to feel free to approach me, or don't want to indulge them by carrying on a conversation.
I don't mind crowds, but don't like social gatherings where there is no opportunity for meaningful conversation, or engagement where I feel akin to someone or have a role where I know what is expected. I get frustrated sometimes when people do not give off enough cues, or give conflicting ones, so that I do not know where I stand with them so that I can decide how to proceed. I don't take things as personally as I used to, but I think I probably lean towards being more easily embarrassed and taking less chances socially than I could. I've improved in that and am more likely to approach people now than I used to, understanding that if I'm not their cup of tea, it's not a statement about my worth as a person and could be due to a variety of valid factors and that I've missed out on a lot of friendships, and on people seeing me accurately because I have been too passive.
I kind of am a cyclical thinker who wants to figure things out, rather than seeking out what's new and novel. I tend to rely on people around me to contribute novelty and diversity of ideas into the mix. I'm good at getting people to see themselves in a different way or inspiring them to have confidence in themselves, but am less able to look at what I'm working with and deciding how to put it to novel and optimal use or develop people's talents in a way that is personalized to their specific skill set and needs at that moment or to their level of willingness to make any changes.
I'm generous, a bit messy, cautious, maternal (even though I'm not that interested in coochy cooing babies and toddlers and don't have kids of my own), family oriented, approximate, abstract, practical about some things, both emotional and a bit removed, not a huge risk taker, independent, devoted, sensitive, stubborn...