"People who cannot be swayed seem rigid and narrow-minded." This is a phrase that perhaps many of us (especially INFPs) can agree with. I've been thinking about it lately because I'm quite opposite. I want to be open to all the possibilities, I don't want anyone feeling left-out, I understand that what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another, I'll change if the situation calls for it, I want to be everything to every person--you see what I'm saying.
I'm starting to believe that being too open-minded comes with adverse effects (just as being extremely unyielding does). It appears rigidity shapes a person's personality to a great social extent. When I observe people talking about some popular or interesting individual (or anyone really worth talking about), they often focus on the staunch traits of this person. "He is so funny the way he always/never___." "I can't believe what he/she did! But that's so like him/her." "You mean you don't know about [person's name]?" So regardless of a good or bad opinion, characters seem more popular/recognizable if they are more static/consistent... do you think this is because it's human nature to try and label everything? They feel more in control of their life when they do? Makes people feel more at ease when someone is predictable?
This is why I believe people interact with me differently. They have a hard time placing a label on me. I feel like I'm always being approached cautiously and it's harder for people to be "buddy buddy" around me (though for some reason they'll reveal deep secrets that they wouldn't tell their buddies).
Anyway I'm kinda straddling two ideas here, but getting back to the other point, the rigid people get more respect--maybe not genuine respect, but they're given some kind of authority (think bosses) whether its deserved or not. I wonder if it's because firmness is translated into confidence, a quality that many desire, and since they feel inferior in this area they look up to those who appear to know what they're doing.
Needless to say it seems the rigid people, both good and bad, are most remembered. People like me on the other hand rarely come up in a conversation, even though I'm constantly in the background trying to please people the best way I can. Not that I need affirmation, but you know what? Maybe I do.
I'm starting to believe that being too open-minded comes with adverse effects (just as being extremely unyielding does). It appears rigidity shapes a person's personality to a great social extent. When I observe people talking about some popular or interesting individual (or anyone really worth talking about), they often focus on the staunch traits of this person. "He is so funny the way he always/never___." "I can't believe what he/she did! But that's so like him/her." "You mean you don't know about [person's name]?" So regardless of a good or bad opinion, characters seem more popular/recognizable if they are more static/consistent... do you think this is because it's human nature to try and label everything? They feel more in control of their life when they do? Makes people feel more at ease when someone is predictable?
This is why I believe people interact with me differently. They have a hard time placing a label on me. I feel like I'm always being approached cautiously and it's harder for people to be "buddy buddy" around me (though for some reason they'll reveal deep secrets that they wouldn't tell their buddies).
Anyway I'm kinda straddling two ideas here, but getting back to the other point, the rigid people get more respect--maybe not genuine respect, but they're given some kind of authority (think bosses) whether its deserved or not. I wonder if it's because firmness is translated into confidence, a quality that many desire, and since they feel inferior in this area they look up to those who appear to know what they're doing.
Needless to say it seems the rigid people, both good and bad, are most remembered. People like me on the other hand rarely come up in a conversation, even though I'm constantly in the background trying to please people the best way I can. Not that I need affirmation, but you know what? Maybe I do.