Joined
·
2,999 Posts
I am (probably) an INFP, and I am trying to understand a new friend of mine who I suspect is probably ISTP (because she acts very similarly to my ISTJ father, but she seems distinctly P to me). What I like about her is that she is very intelligent, and with her, I don't have to lead every single social interaction, because she quite often has plenty to say, and I can just let her do that.
My friend likes to talk a lot about her specific interests, which I honestly don't have the foundation to reciprocate discussion on. If she is ISTP, do you think she will be satisfied that I am listening to her, or should I provide some kind of feedback? Should I got to extra step and research the things she has talked about? What will make her feel most appreciated and cared for?
She and I also seem to have very different conflict resolution styles. I tend to just want to keep communication open and work through it until it is resolved, and she seems to be very avoidant of anything that would cause any ill will or whatever. Frankly, she seems a little fragile, unsure of herself in social/emotional situations. Should I be especially careful to moderate my emotional reactions to her when we we have disagreements? Should I use my awesome F-ness to help guide her and teach her how to deal with me in such situations, or how to deal with such situations in general? Or would she probably reject that guidance if I tried to offer it, anyway?
What else would you have to say about an INFP/ISTP friendship?
My friend likes to talk a lot about her specific interests, which I honestly don't have the foundation to reciprocate discussion on. If she is ISTP, do you think she will be satisfied that I am listening to her, or should I provide some kind of feedback? Should I got to extra step and research the things she has talked about? What will make her feel most appreciated and cared for?
She and I also seem to have very different conflict resolution styles. I tend to just want to keep communication open and work through it until it is resolved, and she seems to be very avoidant of anything that would cause any ill will or whatever. Frankly, she seems a little fragile, unsure of herself in social/emotional situations. Should I be especially careful to moderate my emotional reactions to her when we we have disagreements? Should I use my awesome F-ness to help guide her and teach her how to deal with me in such situations, or how to deal with such situations in general? Or would she probably reject that guidance if I tried to offer it, anyway?
What else would you have to say about an INFP/ISTP friendship?