[amatsuki]

I'm curious! Oh, and don't use appearance as a reason here - let's see if there are other things and deeper reasons for things, because it's fun to think about sometimes.

It's only something I've noticed recently, but I think perhaps that people only see me as 'childish' because while explaining things, I revert back to using the most simple words, despite having an extensive vocabulary thanks to Literature classes in high school. It's not trying to be childish, but more trying to add all the feels associated with what you're trying to say, into speech. Since simple words can mean a wider range of things (as opposed to more complex words that are associated with specific things) I tend to subconsciously go back to that pattern of speech. Of course there are times I do this specifically because the people I'm talking to seem like their education never made it past a certain point, LOL.

Other than that, they might see me as childish because of my aversion to many things people around my age like (drinking, sex, partying, whaaat) or my restlessness/awe in places that seem to have so many things to do. What about everyone else?

[Inguz]

If you don't agree with me that poop humour is funny, then poop on you.

[Nevermind_me]

@Inguz LOL!

My ISFP friend has a simple joy in life, in his enthusiasm and appreciation. Some people just aren't like that and see life as something far more serious, they pride themselves on their restraint. I am not saying ISFPs are not also restrained and reserved, but in appreciating the here and now from what I've seen, they are uninhibited, especially if they are struck by something, a sound or smell or picture. He and I bound about outside like we're children getting excited by smells and sounds and the things we see... it's slightly embarressing at work when we realise some of the older (and often younger) folk are just watching us looking confused! But it's also funny, because I feel sad for them at their lack of ability to frolick and delight with us :)

He also uses "Cool!!!!" as his main happy descriptor word, and even when spoken it has exclamation marks, because a lot of things really are :)

Childish isn't necessarily a bad thing. It might be wielded by those who tell you you are as a criticism, but to me it's actually a compliment... children have not been polluted by the cynicism and distrust in the world, they are able to truly experience things with joy and hope. (Like when there's loads of stuff around you as you describe)

[Maddygirl4932]

I figured that I'm seen as childish because I'm willing to question about the things I don't know while others may keep quiet because they don't wish to be seen as stupid. Thankfully, my mother told me that asking questions meant you are smart. I believe that fully. So yeah, many people think I'm childish and innocent, but really my questions gave me a much broader range of knowledge because I asked those questions.

But yeah, I don't see it as a bad thing. In fact, it makes life very funny when you begin to talk intellectually on a topic you learned about by asking those questions.

[ZoeM]

I get excited about food. Nom nom nom...........Even a trip to the gas station has me exclaiming. Didn't know what sixlets were two weeks ago! They're similar to jaffas back home. Happy and exuberant as I can be about food, the guys at work sometimes look at me askance. Could be a contributing factor to my perceived childishness...

[amatsuki]

@Inguz I giggled :'D

@Nevermind_me o0o0o, that makes sense! For some reason, everything just becomes so much more exciting when you become aware of it. A little off topic, but do you get along well with ISFPs in general? I get along very well with ENFPs despite being on the opposite side of the temperament range. Incidently, my catchphase would be 'o0o0o'

@Maddygirl4932 Ohh, that's a good one. Why not know something when you can know, right? I agree! It's more of a self thing than a bad thing!

[deepbluesun]

Haha ZoeM, I can relate. Food (and sometimes even the thought/possibility of it) gets me excited.

I think we're sometimes seen as childish because we don't seem concerned with the parts of life that other types deem critical/important.

[Inguz]

Haha ZoeM, I can relate. Food (and sometimes even the thought/possibility of it) gets me excited.

I think we're sometimes seen as childish because we don't seem concerned with the parts of life that other types deem critical/important.

Such as work? Ugh, I throw poop on work. I just want to be free.

[Nayru]

I'm not that childish, honestly.

But you have an aversion to sex?! Ouch... Your missing some of the best things in life! I don't know what you've learned about sex, what experiences you've have with it... but sex really isn't "bad" or "dirty" and nothing you need to have an aversion towards! Aversion is an intense word to be using when describing sex (and drinking / partying too, by the way)

That doesn't mean you need or should have sex with any dumbass you meet... or get drunk every night, or party 5 nights a week.

Maybe you're just scared of it. Yeah. Could it be that you're just really afraid of it, that it makes you so uncertain that you try to make sex/partying/drinking all wrong rather than admit you're just scared and feel like you can't do those things. So you just tell yourself you have an "aversion" towards those things, rather than admitting & facing your fears of not being good enough.

But then secretly you envy those confident drinking, partying, sex-having bastards and bitches. Secretly you'd love to be the carefree spirit who can occasionally enjoy socializing, partying with your friends, get a bit tipsy--maybe even drunk, and not be afraid to enjoy heavenly and evil sex with that attractive cute & sexy as hell guy. (who you hate and condemn too because you don't believe he could be interested in you anyway, so you make him and the girls around him wrong so you don't feel like you're not good enough). Does any of this ring true at all?

...Anyway. I could be wrong!

[Nevermind_me]

I'm not that childish, honestly.
Maybe you're just scared of it. Yeah. Could it be that you're just really afraid of it, that it makes you so uncertain that you try to make sex/partying/drinking all wrong rather than admit you're just scared and feel like you can't do those things. So you just tell yourself you have an "aversion" towards those things, rather than admitting & facing your fears of not being good enough.

But then secretly you envy those confident drinking, partying, sex-having bastards and bitches. Secretly you'd love to be the carefree spirit who can occasionally enjoy socializing, partying with your friends, get a bit tipsy--maybe even drunk, and not be afraid to enjoy heavenly and evil sex with that attractive cute & sexy as hell guy. (who you hate and condemn too because you don't believe he could be interested in you anyway, so you make him and the girls around him wrong so you don't feel like you're not good enough). Does any of this ring true at all?

@Nayru

Or maybe not?

Your tone is rather condescending, and I feel your post is a little passive aggressive and judgemental (I think it's the 'Yeah' in the fourth stanza, it's like a pointed finger). Back off. Accusing someone of being fearful when you don't know them and have 3 paragraphs to go on is really not very nice. The tone of your 5th stanza is really bitter, that's how that post feels, like you are venting and very accusatory.

Sorry to come on strong, I just feel that was all a bit heavy and unnecessarily aggressive.

@amatsuki
I met my first definite ISFP through work recently and he and get on really really well. He's relaxing and fun to be with, we bounce ideas off each other and we can share our innate joy and excitement without feeling any fear of the perceived 'judgement' for just being who we are, which is the nub of this post :) I feel like me+, me x2 when I'm with him, I can just relax into being myself, it's awesome.
I also really enjoy the ISFP forum, although I'm pretty new here and just getting to know folk. I get the impression you guys are just basically happy, caring, open people. (Obviously we all have off days, but this is your modus operandi.)

I guess @Nayru that's why I was surprised at the tone of your post, it feels out-of-character to me.