Why test people this way? Why the act?
Again, why the act? Why contribute to the problem (fakeness), when you could set an example and just be real?
What are you hoping to accomplish with your strategy?
If I can quote the famous bard of Avon:
All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
Or, like I said in that previous post of mine:
We all walk around, and cater our presentation of self, situationally, and, it's understandable, but, funny to me, at the same time. I often see the masses as clowns who don't know that we're clowns. Thus, I push those limits, in regards to myself, often. To see who picks up on it, or who gets sold the lines.
I don't believe you, me, or anyone else, is infalliable to the "act". I would even challenge this assertion of what you mean by "being real".
What is being real?
Given that I start off assuming that we all have an act, that's navigated by the moment at hand, the situation, to me,
playing up the act, is then, in a way, trying to get to the heart of the matter.
Rather than accept the act as what it is, given the situation, I'm trying to throw it
beyond the present situation to get to the essence of them and myself. And, connecting through that.
It's not faking, nor is it meant to present false sides of me, as that is me, my way, so I'm not being disingenuous.
There's always an essence of truth in every thing I say, in every "bullshit" I throw out. Either a truth about me, or calling into question a "truth" I see the other presenting, or trying to.
Perhaps, people are taking your perpetual act at face value.
Because truth is rarely ever present in only that which is said, often it is there in what is not said, how it is said, why, and a whole gamut of other things surrounding it.
I hunger to uncover all aspects of a moment. I cannot let something be, as is. I must exhaust all that it is trying to say, to convey.
Thus, I do take people at face value when it resonates that that's the greatest kernel of truth in the moment, and I can and do present the same to them.
I mirror people, the world/moment around me, its vibe, a lot.
And, just like, often people are saying (not saying/keeping hidden) things beyond what they present at face value, so too, do I do it. Except, I make it a game of humour - as I find sarcasm quite funny. And, the fact that this truth is not what is presented at face value, or they're trying to hide it, or if the truth is ridiculous or surprising....I reflect that sentiment by "mocking" it in the way that I do.
It's not an
always one way thing. Depends on the situation, and the person, and our interaction at the time.
Eventually, when you keep up the same old joke, people get suspicious (understandably imo). You know how it is, when someone jokingly criticizes you - it's easily forgotten. Unless brought up several more times, you eventually receive it as hinted truth. I had an ENTP friend who was known for his ego. He pissed a lot of people off with his braggery. To anyone that said this to my face, I simply replied that it was only his sense of humor... until I digged deeper, and all I got was more bragging. This is when I started second guessing myself. I'm not saying that his relentless boasting is evidence that he indeed had a bloated self image, but that it's not a very constructive form of humor. Your intended message may seem obvious to you, but it won't always be received correctly. I love sarcasm, but I am careful to choose who I use it with, and how often I use it.
True, in this way, it helps me weed out those that will and do get me, see beyond, and those who do not. I do this with close interpersonal relationships as it's very important for me that they see beyond, they
want to see beyond. Others, I don't bother with this, as I don't really care.
I often find that those who do catch on to this side of me, they're less vested in
some interest of theirs in me, and there's more of a genuine interest to get to know me (shedding of their own preconceived notions and expectations), rather than whatever personal motivations they have, that I may somehow tie into. Like, finding me entertaining so I'm an entertainment for them, thus, they really don't care to know if there's anything beyond. Either I entertain them, or exasperate them. And, that's all the story they care to know.
Oh, and that ENTP friend of yours, I can't comment, as I can't relate to it at all. If someone is genuine in wanting to dig deeper, and they don't steam-roll it onto me, but show honest curiosity, wanting to learn, I'm actually quite eager and excited to go exploring with them. My Ne is tantalized by such things, and never really turns it down.
