Ask an INTJ

[Nicodemus]

When presented with the option, would an INTJ prefer a gift that's...

1). Useful/Practical - (IE: The missing ____ in their collection, tools, hardware, books, etc.)
2). Sentimental/Thoughtful - (IE: Something that reminds them of an inside joke between the two of you, tickets to their favourite _____, etc.)
3). Something totally random
4). Nothing at all

It depends on the person who is presenting the gift: in most cases 1); if the person is a lover, 2) can be good; sometimes 4); never 3), because if the gift is neither 1) nor 2), it is necessarily rubbish.

[ceecee]

Lol and this is why I ask a forum worth of similar-minded folks
Question though: If someone asks you/gets you something that you tell them to, doesn't that ruin the surprise and make it less special? Or maybe you guys aren't all that into surprises I have no idea.

I am sort of ok with surprises but it VERY much depends on how they are presented. For example, I know a co-worker that won a big award, trip, bonus..that sort of thing. Her supervisor called and said she was to come to a meeting with another superior. This poor woman spent most of the day thinking she was in trouble. Apparently this was their idea of an acceptable buildup to a great surprise. In a case like this it would take every bit of willpower I could summon to not to punch all responsible parties in the mouth. I felt bad for her and she found very little joy in the awards because of the way they were presented.

My ENFJ is very good at remembering things I have mentioned from months back that I might like. I think he keeps a list somewhere and refers back to it for birthdays and Christmas. Getting something I suggested would not ruin the surprise for me in the least.

[InvisibleJim]

Lol and this is why I ask a forum worth of similar-minded folks
Question though: If someone asks you/gets you something that you tell them to, doesn't that ruin the surprise and make it less special? Or maybe you guys aren't all that into surprises I have no idea.

Problem: If I want it I already have it. Therefore it has sentimental or practical value I have it. The best idea: present me a gift which I am unaware of but that I can enjoy. If it is a romantic gift, do something with me that interests me and which interests you; but generally don't make it something that requires lots of socialization. I have liked such things as this in the past: Racing cars, going to eat somewhere nice, shared massages. Things I have disliked: 'Romantic' going to gigs, 'romantic' spending time with friends etc. You get the idea, or maybe not.

What are some major similarities/differences that you see between yourself and your 1-letter-different brethren (ENTJ, ISTJ, INFJ, INTP)?

ISTJ
Similarities - Kindered spirits in modes of thought, like structure are stable and if they share your interests then you can't lose.
Differences - Can get offended by the shifting nature of my existence, I can spotaneously move for work etc. This is anathema to them, you are rocking their boat of life.

ENTJ
Similarities - Lots of similarities, same ways of thinking and reacting. I find their honesty and directness refereshing.
Differences - Less content than we are. However they are very single minded. I don't know left here except Jaguar who I class as ENTJ as the ENTJs I know in the real world.

INFJ
Similarities - Not very much at all; as an ILI-Te I jive best with IEI-Fe types because we can find common benchmarks
Differences - Lots and lots, totally different values and ways of spending their time and how they think about problems. I would say these are very alien to me.

INTP
Similarities - Likes similar 'ideas' but thinks of them differently.
Differences - Lots and lots again. May appear superficially similar but on the inside its an alien who is offended at even the slightest questioning of the 'why' they do things. They don't bear much introspection.

[INTPness]

2 seconds...

It's cool. My Ne has already taken me to a variety of new topics. *starts writing an essay*

[Malice]

Thanks for the feedback guys
*stores information into my memory banks for later*

[ThatGirl]

ISTJ
Similarities - Kindered spirits in modes of thought, like structure are stable and if they share your interests then you can't lose.
Differences - Can get offended by the shifting nature of my existence, I can spotaneously move for work etc. This is anathema to them, you are rocking their boat of life.

ENTJ
Similarities - Lots of similarities, same ways of thinking and reacting. I find their honesty and directness refereshing.
Differences - Less content than we are. However they are very single minded. I don't know left here except Jaguar who I class as ENTJ as the ENTJs I know in the real world.

INFJ
Similarities - Not very much at all; as an ILI-Te I jive best with IEI-Fe types because we can find common benchmarks
Differences - Lots and lots, totally different values and ways of spending their time and how they think about problems. I would say these are very alien to me.

INTP
Similarities - Likes similar 'ideas' but thinks of them differently.
Differences - Lots and lots again. May appear superficially similar but on the inside its an alien who is offended at even the slightest questioning of the 'why' they do things. They don't bear much introspection.

I find this incredibly off. On many levels.

[INTPness]

Interesting. Thanks! This was obviously Jonnyboy's original question, but it's interesting to hear your guys' perspective.

ISTJ
Similarities - Kindered spirits in modes of thought, like structure are stable and if they share your interests then you can't lose.
Differences - Can get offended by the shifting nature of my existence, I can spotaneously move for work etc. This is anathema to them, you are rocking their boat of life.

I could see that.

ENTJ
Similarities - Lots of similarities, same ways of thinking and reacting. I find their honesty and directness refereshing.
Differences - Less content than we are. However they are very single minded. I don't know left here except Jaguar who I class as ENTJ as the ENTJs I know in the real world.

Less content in just "being" and existing and enjoying life for what it is? Like, they need more front-line action? Or they're more restless? Or what?

INFJ
Similarities - Not very much at all; as an ILI-Te I jive best with IEI-Fe types because we can find common benchmarks
Differences - Lots and lots, totally different values and ways of spending their time and how they think about problems. I would say these are very alien to me.

Hmm, I always thought these 2 types found a lot in common with each other. Irritating to each other, yes, but sort of a kindred spirit with leading Ni. Like how INTP's and INFP's find each other eerily similar. And ENTP's and ENFP's. And ENTJ's and ENFJ's. Didn't realize you guys were from different planets.

INTP
Similarities - Likes similar 'ideas' but thinks of them differently.
Differences - Lots and lots again. May appear superficially similar but on the inside its an alien who is offended at even the slightest questioning of the 'why' they do things. They don't bear much introspection.

Haha. Thank you so much for the alien compliment. I'm thinking about your observation that we don't bear much introspection. If anything, I've always been accused of being "too deep", too introspective, overthinking my own actions, overanalyzing my methods, etc. This is literally the first time I've heard this. We are stubborn, that's for darn sure. Maybe it's, just like you said, that we don't like it from others (in regards to our actions). Maybe we like to think/analyze about ourselves, but we don't like others doing it to us. Hmmm, yeah, that could be. *ponders how to change this for the better*.

[INTPness]

I find this incredibly off. On many levels.

Go for it! Your turn.

[ThatGirl]

Well for one, in my experience, ISTJ and INTJ are the least similar of all the above mentioned. ISTJs are more rigid and INTJs more open, less serious. They approach the world completely differently, see situations differently, and have completely different motivations behind their actions. ISTJs remind me of regulators, while INTJs are a lot more easy going and less concerned with what SHOULD be.

I cant imagine them feeling a strong kinship toward each other since they are both Te users heading in very different directions.

[InvisibleJim]

Less content in just "being" and existing and enjoying life for what it is? Like, they need more front-line action? Or they're more restless? Or what?

All of the above

Hmm, I always thought these 2 types found a lot in common with each other. Irritating to each other, yes, but sort of a kindred spirit with leading Ni. Like how INTP's and INFP's find each other eerily similar. And ENTP's and ENFP's. And ENTJ's and ENFJ's. Didn't realize you guys were from different planets.

I can stand them on the surface.

The reason you jive well with INFPs is because of the Fi-Ti which is a similar 'way' of seeing the ego position while you share an Ne parent so you interface the same way.

By contrast an INFJ/INTJ flip is sharing the same ego but 'interfacing' wrong by trying to talk Fe versus Te. Therefore the thoughts can be similar but what interests us and how we view the world can be very different.