INFPs in Other Relationships
What are INFPs like in friendships & platonic relationships?
Though INFPs are reliable and understanding in friendships and platonic relationships, making friends can be surprisingly challenging for them. After all, not everyone can appreciate the raw authenticity of the INFP personality.
Nonetheless, INFPs would rather have few friends around whom they can be unapologetically themselves than sacrifice authentic self-expression to fit in with others.
Ultimately, INFPs seek to build meaningful, long-lasting friendships based on mutual values, trust, and respect, and they go to great lengths to do so. Not only do they go out of their way to help and support their friends, but they also accept them for who they are. This alone helps them create a strong foundation for deep, soulful connections rather than superficial bonds.
What are INFPs like as parents?
As parents, INFPs are open-minded, considerate, and patient.
Rather than seeing their offspring as an extension of themselves, parents with the INFP personality type view their children as one-of-a-kind individuals. While they aren’t likely to impose their beliefs on them, they strive to raise children with good values, gently guiding them through the journey of building strong morals, empathy, and respect for all living things.
Though INFP parents wish to protect their kids from harm and negative experiences, they aren’t the type to shelter them from the world. Quite the contrary—they give their children the freedom to explore all that life has to offer and make their own decisions (as long as these don’t put them in harm’s way, of course).
However, they may sometimes struggle to create a structured, well-organized home environment for their kids.
INFP communication style
INFPs have a fluid, adaptable communication style; they typically tailor their verbal expression to the people around them. Though they tend to keep their innermost thoughts and feelings to themselves around strangers, they take great pleasure in deep, meaningful conversations.
People with the INFP personality type are usually soft-spoken and make attentive listeners.
What are INFPs like in conflict?
Though the mere thought of being at odds with someone makes INFPs uneasy, they tend to cope with conflict surprisingly well.
Since they feel very uncomfortable in hostile environments, they typically try to dissipate tension by encouraging open, gentle communication. In other words, INFPs want all parties to feel heard and understood, which often helps find a compromise and resolve the source of conflict.
That being said, being on the receiving end of harsh criticism, sarcastic remarks, shouting, and similar hostility can quickly overwhelm them, causing them to shut down emotionally.
3 tips for interacting with INFPs
Be gentle
INFPs are very sensitive, so it’s best to avoid harsh language when interacting with them. This is particularly crucial when giving negative feedback—they are extremely sensitive to criticism.
Open up to them
INFPs aren’t interested in small talk and other superficial communication. However, you can certainly pique their interest by being honest, open, and real with them.
Talk to them one-on-one
As introverts, INFPs are most comfortable talking to people one-on-one. They also love delving into meaningful, philosophical conversations, which doesn’t happen that often in group settings.
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