Anybody who has a sliver of understanding what Fi is or read's Jungian theory on Fi-doms, will know that Fi-doms are practically expressionless. Jung himself said that they are the most unexpressive and unreadable type.

What goes on inside has nothing to do with the surface when it comes to INFPs.

 

I guess it's because we're Feelers. But I don't think most people actually understand Feelers.

 

Because they don't know Things. The Things they think they know.

smiley happy we are not (usually). I think most INFPs are pretty grim. But reservedness and withdrawness are often confused for "weakness", or "lack of preference". This translates, for some, into a sort of "wishy-washiness", which is then associated with some sort of ~la dee da, anything goes and it's all okay~ attitude - but really, nothing could be further from the truth. We're just waiting until revealing ourselves is warranted. Those who misread my withdrawn disposition as "sweet" or "smiley" are surprised out of that notion, really before long at all, should they continue to get to know me.

 

I never heard INFP's described like that,the thing I hear the most about them is how they are sensitive snowflakes,and I can see why people would say that.
Personally,the only INFP I know in real life always seems to be about to fall into depression,but I known him for years,and he's doing pretty good ironically.

 

When I'm in public, I smile a lot, and I'm an INFP/4w5. But that doesn't mean I'm happy all the time, far from it. Smiling is just something I hide behind. Most people assume that I am extremely composed and calm, even at times when I'm very anxious and agitated. Even at times when I'm depressed, people who don't know me assume that I'm fine. Only close friends and people who are adept at reading body language seem to read past my social smiling.

(I should add that I live in a country where people smile very little, especially to strangers, but that I'm from a culture where people are general much warmer).

 

Do people really expect that? Apart from people who don't know about personality types and are confusing us with another type, maybe.

I don't try to be smiley, or melancholic for that matter (and I don't think I come across as either of those things), honestly I just try to be good. Certainly I tend to be reserved, and not great at expressing emotion.

 

I've browsed a few websites that's specifically made for certain MBTI types. Have seen what they all think of each other.

 

Who does? I certainly don't. Where have you heard that? If anything, I think it's the ENFPs along with ESFPs who get the rep that they're always smiling the most.

 

I guess people don't notice whether our smile is genuine or a front? In my case though, I'm an open book. I really dislike the question "Are you okay?" cause I try to curve my lip but 'depression' is written all over my face. Good grief. Someone told me that when I'm genuinely happy, it radiates. But if it's the opposite, I seem to emit this dark cloud of negative ions above my head and it makes people around me worry. I mean I hate having to burden them as much as possible (especially those who are close to me) so I'm trying to perfect my smile. If I can't handle that, I tend to isolate myself in the mean time.

There was an instance that it felt like we almost failed our defense for our college thesis and I can't help being pessimistic. Then my INTJ friend/partner was just trying to calm himself down. Knowing he's a logical INTJ who hates moping in public, I told him with a straight face that I needed to go to the toilet first. Just as I reached the cubicle, I started crying there like there was no tomorrow. And then I got out, not noticing I did not wipe my eyes enough and my INTJ friend took that as a cue.

"You cried, didn't you?"

And I jokingly said, "Huh, what are you talking about? I'm not @_@"

I was too naive that time hahaha. In all seriousness though, I think the reason why we're mistaken to smile all the time is because most of us are skilled or determined enough to fake it, regardless if it was really executed flawlessly.

 

I hardly think of the majority of infps I can reference as smiley or expect it. I usually think of them as sensationalizing and romanticizing things like death and grief and often not always being emo like. Not some doppy fool with a smile.

 

Couldn't have said this better myself

 

Maybe it's because so many INFPs are E9s that those people have only come across E9 INFPs.

 

I don't know, I'm an INFP 9 and I'm not at all "all smiley". People have said that I'm "laid back" and "easy going" which I think is far more true than "smiley".

 

Erm, really? I've never heard such a thing. People usually consider infps to be full of sorrow and enjoy it.

 

'People' expect everyone to be smiley.

If only I had a twopence for everytime someone said to me I should smile more..

 

 

Couldn't have put it better

 

The one INFP I know pretty well is not smiley, although she has a kind of reflexive half-smile. She has a remarkably non-expressive face now that I think of it. When I cause her to really smile or even better to laugh hard, I consider it a coup.

 

 

I'm not familiar with that image of INFPs. The two I've known always seemed like they were always on the verge of giving up on life, and I suspected that they were the type who may get quietly upset with you for some insignificant slight that they build and build upon until they finally break and meet you in a dark parking garage one night with a machete.

...I don't think the ones I've known were particularly healthy.

 

Because they have no clue of the monsters inside our heads

 

To be honest, my expectations are more in line with depression than being smiley in regards to INFPs. It's quite sad.