Question #49: What is a question we should be asking you guys?
IMHO, people should be asking us for perspective, for new ways of looking at things. We spend so much time thinking about things - it's just what we do - and so that's what we have to offer. We slice things up and we analyze situations from every single angle. That's why we're such pests and it's why we like to play devil's advocate, because we can always see "another perspective". If you argue A, I'll argue B. If you argue B, I'll argue C. If you argue Q, I'll argue W. So, yeah, not everybody wants our perspective and not everyone needs our perspective. But, I think that's what I offer people. A few of my friends call me for my perspective on things. I have an ISTJ friend who comes to me when things aren't going good in his life and he picks my brain for a new way of looking at things. So, yeah, we may not be a lot of things, but we certainly can give you a fresh new perspective on your situation. At least I know I enjoy doing that.
The "side effect" of asking for our perspective, however, is that you're most likely going to get a lecture. If you're going to ask our perspective, be ready and willing to sit down and listen for a bit, because we will have a lot to say on the issue. We will really lay it out for you and explain the why's and the who's and the "how come's" and the "maybe this's" and they "maybe that's". It's only because we care enough to give you our full perspective and viewpoint. We're not trying to bore you. So, if you're not ready to hear the Ti analysis, might be best not to ask.
With my ISFP ex, she'd ask my opinion on a situation that was bothering her, so I'd get 2 or 3 minutes into my explanation, and she'd start checking out mentally. So, I'd stop explaining. But, it was frustrating, cuz I knew she only heard 20% of what I had to say/offer in the way of perspective. So, off she'd go, to solve her problem, with only a fraction of my input. And when she wouldn't get the results she wanted, she'd come back and go, "OK, now I have another problem." And I'd think, "Yeah, I was going to cover that last time we talked, if only you had been willing to hear me out."
We can be complicated and complex, but I do think that's one of the best things we can offer the world - is a full analysis and well-thought-out perspective on any given situation.