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Are you a natural "joiner"?

(187 Posts)
Soutra Sat 06-Jun-15 16:24:11

I do find myself envying people who seem to find a congenial group wherever they go, who launch themselves wholeheartedly into their local church/WI/book club or whatever. I am extrovert on the surface, but very reserved deep down, a reserve some people take as stand-offishness.
My mother being German in a small town in Scotland not long after the war never found it easy to fit in, while my father was universally popular but held back from many social occasions maybe because he sensed animosity to Mum and just wasn't prepared to bother with people like that.
Perhaps we should never have moved to a village but stayed in the city where these things matter less as I can say I have honestly tried and still find it a struggle. I was involved with charities in London, but never felt brave enough to try to get involved here; of course I joined the PTA, but again always felt a newbie, got involved at our church ( until it went all happy clappy and I couldn't quite get on with that!), I am Treasurer of our local women's group and belong to a book club, but I often feel I have to force myself to make the effort to join in the chitchat and find it hard to be 100% involved. If I am honest I feel like an observer or an outsider, even finding it hard to join in some of the jolly banter at our GN virtual parties!!
Should I just give over thinking about it? Just take the plunge? Or is it silly to try to be something I am not?

AshTree Mon 08-Jun-15 21:03:49

downtoearth grin

AshTree Mon 08-Jun-15 21:03:16

I too am a CAMPAIGNER whitewave. I did the test twice because I felt I whizzed through it too quickly the first time. So the second time I was more measured in my responses, and I know I answered differently on several of them. I got the same result each time, however!
Funny, I don't feel like a campaigner...

downtoearth Mon 08-Jun-15 20:40:51

mines very accurate..actually called me down to earth...whats in a name..hmm

Ana Mon 08-Jun-15 20:23:02

Yes, sorry, I was forgetting about the 'strengths and weaknesses' section.

It's interesting that some types don't see why everyone doesn't want to be their type - it would be a very strange world if every personality was the same!

Gracesgran Mon 08-Jun-15 20:19:11

or smile

Gracesgran Mon 08-Jun-15 20:18:29

There is a "Strengths and Weakness" section for each one Ana and that is really how we are all made up.

When I have done Psychometric tests with groups in the past most people would rather have their own traits - good and bad. If fact some personality types cannot imagine why everybody doesn't want to be their type which makes for interesting conversations when you are discussing team building and the need for different personalities. [smiles]

Ana Mon 08-Jun-15 20:08:53

They're all very positive profiles, aren't they? None of the 16 personalities seems to have any negative traits at all...hmm

Gracesgran Mon 08-Jun-15 19:32:53

I hadn't looked at the Personality Type page just read all the different paragraphs on the page I came through on. It makes more sense seeing the groups.

I like yours jinglbellsfrocks Very dedicated and warm protectors, always ready to defend their loved ones. I like my medieval outfit too smile

Gracesgran Mon 08-Jun-15 19:26:07

Off to look.

jinglbellsfrocks Mon 08-Jun-15 19:23:39

Gracesgran the little man (man?!) symbolising my type has a sword. Your lady has a long frock and a really elegant headdress. envy

Gracesgran Mon 08-Jun-15 19:22:52

I meant "everyone wouldn't want to be me". Oh dear.

downtoearth Mon 08-Jun-15 19:22:40

Am an adventurer an explorer..

whitewave Mon 08-Jun-15 19:18:49

I am a CAMPAIGNER (ENFP what ever that means?) anyone else one of those. I do recognise the description of my type though.

Ana Mon 08-Jun-15 18:54:30

But you're in good company, pompa! grin

pompa Mon 08-Jun-15 18:52:51

Well there you go, I am common hmm

annodomini Mon 08-Jun-15 18:42:58

Consul! Role is Sentinel. Whatever that may mean. Where is my pinch of salt?

Ana Mon 08-Jun-15 18:34:25

13% of the population are Defenders.

All it says about Consuls is that they are quite common...grin

janerowena Mon 08-Jun-15 18:31:57

I came out as a mediator, too. I wonder if it comes with age and wisdom and experience? grin

Ana Mon 08-Jun-15 18:26:14

"...it's a shame they're so uncommon, making up only about five percent of the population. ISTP women are especially rare..."

Oh, Elegran you are especially rare - as of course we all knew anyway! smile

Elegran Mon 08-Jun-15 18:15:21

Apparently I am a virtuoso. hmm

Ana Mon 08-Jun-15 18:02:25

If Advocates make up only 1% of the population and Mediators 4% (althought they're two a penny on here! grin) what are the most common personality types? Or are they all supposed to be rare...?

Gracesgran Mon 08-Jun-15 17:56:51

Oh pompasmile

I was quite happy with mine. Only 1% of the population but that explains a lot hmm. I can recognise my weaknesses - oh dear - and hope the strengths are true. I can also see that everyone would want to be me grin

How come you got a sword jinglbellsfrocks? I didn't get anything physical summing me up.

pompa Mon 08-Jun-15 17:33:08

Consul car sums up my personality, old, rusty and well past it. smile

Sheena Mon 08-Jun-15 17:27:03

Me too pompa !! ... I remember a Consul was an old car (Ford I think !! grin

jinglbellsfrocks Mon 08-Jun-15 17:26:58

grin. (great minds in every sense of the word)