How would you describe your personality?

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

How would you describe your personality? Would your friends describe you differently than you would describe yourself? Do you feel you are pretty stereotypical for your gender, or totally original? Are there parts of your personality that seem to be completely a result of where you were raised or live now? I can’t meet all of you in person so maybe I can learn a little more about you than what I gather by reading your posts on the board.

Me: Male and in many ways very stereotypical. I am physically very strong, protective, and stubborn (sometimes bull-headed). I like to be more of the dominant type in relationships with women (not treating them unequally but I like to feel manly). I tend to be aggressive and take risks and I like to talk more than I listen.

On the other hand, I hate sports, love movies, particularly romantic movies and chick flicks and often get choked up and cry afterwards or during. My hobby is carpentry since I used to build houses and I can watch carpentry shows on TV for hours on end. I like nice cars and would rather drive a car than a pickup (though I own both, 'cause I don’t like hauling 2x4s hanging out the windows of the car). I am very thin skinned and want everyone to like me. I am friendly and outgoing to people I know well, more reserved when meeting people or in-groups until you get me going. I am a whiner and crybaby way too much.

My friends sometimes describe me as a bit odd, which then hurts my feelings (see thin skinned above). Also I have heard the term anal-retentive used about me, but I just think I am a perfectionist. Women invariably end up calling me a bad boy, because I do like to flirt with the opposite sex using risky banter and double entendres. People usually consider me a nice person and are comfortable with me once they get to know me, but people first meeting me often don’t know what to make of me.

Parts of my personality are a product of my Iowa upbringing and some damn fool back there drilled the “honesty is the best policy” line into my memory somewhere where I can’t purge it. I plain-speak more than is healthy for an Iowa farmboy in the big city of New York. I am trusting and loyal because I bought into the mid-west hokum about it and can’t shake that either.

What about you, dopers?

2

I am the daughter of a woman who taught me a very important lesson: the words “angry” and “feminist” don’t have to be synonymous. I refuse to believe that because I was born with two X chromosomes, I am weak. I also refuse to pretend I’m stupid so some guy won’t feel threatened. I speak as much of the truth as I can without hurting people, and I listen and give good advice. I see the irony that is woven into the thread of my daily life, and I enjoy it. I am funny. I’m very verbal. I love language and words.

I am told that I do not act like any 20 year old people have met. People are ALWAYS shocked when they find out how young I am. But I also had a fantastic childhood, and realise how lucky I was. I want to help other kids, who don’t have the same degree of understanding from their parents as I did, to have that kind of childhood. I’m going to be a child psychologist. I spend three to four hours a week at a local pre-school, which I realise isn’t a lot, but is good for me.

I am also increadibly sensitive. And not in a good way. But because my outward appearance is one of strength, people don’t pick up on this. I realise it’s my own insecurity, and so I don’t let on that the littlest thing someone says is eating away at me, because I KNOW it’s my problem, not really what they said. But that means that people don’t know when to stop. When playful teasing hits the bone. I don’t forgive easily. I overthink EVERYTHING. I’d rather have three best friends than 10 aquaintances, which means that as my three best friends have spread out over the world, (Korea, Italy, and France) I am left alone.

That’s me.

3

I was raised by my paternal grandparents, and I think this has had a big part in how I turned out. I was also the only child until I was 13 (and even then my brother never lived with me, so for all intents and purposes, I am still an only child).

I was always quiet, shy, reserved, and serious. I am somewhat cold, as I do not like to see or participate in great displays of emotion. Although I care about people around me, I find it difficult, somewhat repulsive even, to get all emotional and gushy. I definately don’t like a lot of physical contact, like hugging and kissing my friends and family. The only times I really get worked up and show a lot of emotion is when I’m pissed off.

I’m also really nervous and high strung. I can’t do anything without a lot of planning beforehand, and when things don’t go the way I expect them to, I get mad.

I think if I had been raised by my dad, I might have turned out quite a bit different. I probably would have done a lot more of the normal things kids do as they grow up, and been more relaxed in general. My father for instance, never thinks anything through before doing it. He had a summer job in Hawaii once, decided he liked it, so after his job was up, he came home, sold all his belongings, and flew back to Hawaii with nothing but a suitcase in his hand. He didn’t have a home, a car, a job, nothing. He didn’t care. He made things work and now he is a beach bum/college tutor/student living in a shack he built himself and he is happy as a clam. The thought of packing up all my crap and moving to a strange place with nothing definite lined up makes me break out into a cold sweat.

Still, as awful as it sounds, I am not a miserable person. Those who take the time to get to know me usually like me. They understand that even though I may not say much or act out, I care about what they think and feel. Since I tend not to talk a whole lot in mixed company, I spend a lot of time watching everyone else, making me a rather perceptive person. My friends recognize my perceptiveness and will often ask me for advice.

Even though I am a serious person, I do have a sense of humor. It runs towards the dark, dry side. I can often make my friends laugh because I can say the funniest things at just the right time, but say them with total seriousness on my face.

I guess all in all, I can be a very complicated person. Lord knows I confuse myself quite a bit!

4

Most of my friends would probably describe me as a good person who is loyal. As well, I have a great sense of humour. I can be tough as nails when I need to be, but also am forgiving to a fault. I reach out to people and often get slammed for it afterwards, but I just get up and keep going. I offer my friendship and if people want it, great, if not, I figure they lost out. I’m a hopeless romantic who when involved with someone gives it my all.

I’m the one who comes through in a crisis, tending to the needs of others during that time and looking after myself when things settle. I’m the strong one in my family so have always had to take care of things that were unpleasant to the others. Sometimes even I’m not sure how I’ve gotten through things, but I believe that we are only given what we can each handle.

I hate shopping, love sports and drinking beer, love tear jerker movies but also blood and guts movies. I can dress up like a lady and look great but also love wearing my jeans and heading out to play pool or hike in the mountains.

I think I’m a really good mom. I put my son first and foremost because I believe that to live in this world of ours these days, you need love and nurturing.

I try to live by that same philosophy when I’m at work. I deal with kids all day long and some just need a little guidance and understanding.

Thhhhhhhhats all folks.

5

I was raised by parents who were pretty darn normal. I get along with them quite well. They always made me feel like I could accomplish just about anything I wanted. I also had no pressure from them when it came to success. I am great at sports, neither of them are athletes. This was a good thing, because instead of them being parents trying to live their failed athletic dreams through me, they were just thrilled when I did well. They expected me to do well in school, but also helped me understand the value and importance of doing well. And, they taught me that the best way to handle difficulty is to be able to laugh about it. Hence, I feel pretty darn well adjusted and able to handle anything. I don’t think I have any latent issues that will result in me taking hostages, but if I do, I’ll be sure to let the board know.

I am honest (blunt if you want to look at it that way), people always know where they stand with me, loyal, and been described by some people as the funniest person they know. Those people may have been hermits, but I’ll still accept the compliment. I guess in some ways I am the stereotypical male. I like sports, don’t like gushy movies, and I married a tall, blonde woman. My wife is my best friend, so we basically have no marriage issues.

And, I have always had an easy time getting along with people older than me. I was 5 years old going on 35. I am now 25 years old and pretty wise for my years without sacrificing my fun-loving nature.

Wow, that makes me sound pretty darn well-adjusted to the world around me. Cool.

6

wooohooo describe my personality huh? Well, I say what I think, it doesn’t really matter to me if people like me or not. Usually they do, I’ve always been the clown in the group. My best friends says I am totally honest which means I lack tact. If people want to hear the truth they come to me, if they don’t they usually don’t ask my opinion. Most people value my friendship. I try to really listen to people.
Geesh I love to laugh. Life is too short. I also use laughter to hide my real emotions. The louder I talk, the more upset I am. Most people don’t catch on to this. I have many friends and acquaintances, but only about 6 or 7 really close friends.
Don’t mess with my family or my friends. I’m pretty easy going otherwise.
I love movies. I don’t like to watch sitcoms and such. I love to read, work in my yards. I hate cleaning my house.

On a different note. Knowing CanadianSue IRL, she is all that she says and more. She is one of the most caring people I’ve ever met. I’ve seen a couple of her really closest ‘friends’ literally stomp her down, right to the ground. She just gets back up and gives them another chance. Very few people even know this has happened because Sue is not one to carry tales. I only know it because she was so deeply hurt she just needed someone to talk to. While I would not mention names, these people know who they are, I am not so easy to forgive them.

7

Intermittent.

I’m serious here; I change frequently, depending mostly on my health at the time. Some of my friends say I’m shy and quiet, others say I’m a flirt who tells wickedly bad jokes.

I would describe myself as fun once you get to know me, loyal (although I won’t let people walk on me), caring, open, and interested in new experiences, as long as they won’t possibly qualify me for a Darwin Award. Some people tell me I’m an intellectual snob. I say I jsut prefer to be around intelligent (but not necessarily highly educated) people.

On the whole, though, I’m a stereotypical male. Funny, 'cause I’m female.

Most women don’t like me. Most men do. Which is fair, because I don’t like most women, and, while I don’t necessarily like most men, I get along with them.

8

Concise.

Occasionally sharp.

9

Basically, I’m a doormat and have pretty low self esteem.

Hey, it ain’t pretty, but it’s me.

10

I’m extremely practical and an anti-romantic. I’m female, but a lot of people have commented that I act more like a male in relationships. I don’t like poetry, mushy movies, or overt displays of affection. I also prefer to come up with a practical solution to a problem instead of rehashing it over and over again. This drives my husband nuts.
I’m reserved and quiet and usually shy. It isn’t very often that I feel comfortable around people and it’s usually a case of clicking with them immediately or never. There are people I’ve met before, though, that I just had instant rapport with. I’ve been told that I’m difficult to get to know, but I think that’s because I don’t share much about myself. This isn’t because I have low self-esteem or anything like that…it just doesn’t occur to me.
Being practical often gives people the impression that I’m a pessimist or over-serious, but I’m a very optimistic person. I am extremely easy-going and don’t stress about much at all. I planned my entire wedding by myself and was the least stressed person on the day it occurred. I’m very organized and a list-writer/planner, but I’m also adaptable, so sudden changes in plans or not having a plan at all doesn’t bother me. I’ve been known to pick up and move, carrying just a duffel bag, on a couple days notice. When I make a decision, it’s made, and I rarely change my mind.
I’m like that with people, too. I can’t think of anyone I really dislike and I’m very forgiving, but once I decide I don’t want someone in my life, I don’t go back. When this happens (like when I broke up with boyfriends in college), it’s a matter of “are you good for me or not?” and it catches me off guard when people get emotional about it.
As a child, between my brother and me, I was the wild one. I ran away, climbed the walls, and was the most stubborn kid ever. If I decided I didn’t want to do something, I would withstand spanking or any other punishment without crying and not give in. My parents woke up at 4:00 in the morning once to me yelling (while riding my little hobby horse on springs), “Giddy up, dammit, giddy up!!” (I was 3). I was also always the kid that all the parents wanted their kid to hang out with.
I have a dry sense of humor, but also laugh a lot just making faces and strange noises. I laugh a lot.

That was long…thanks for having a thread that let’s us be completely self-centered! For a more clinical view of my personality, I’m a Meyers-Briggs INFP.

11

I’m going to attempt to do this without tearing myself down…

First off, I’m an only child. Which actually explains a lot. I’m a perfectionist first off. I think I should be able to do everything, and everything perfectly. I always wanted to be the perfect daughter for my parents. Still do sometimes. I wasn’t something they expected, more something I expected of myself.

I’m also sort of shy. Given the choice, I’ll go sit and read a book rather than go out and try to meet new people. I’m outgoing around friends I’ve already made, but in front of people I don’t know, I tend to try and blend into the wall. I don’t make friends easily, because I’m so shy, but once you’re my friend, I’ll do damn near anything for you. However, I also won’t hesitate to tell you if you’re acting like a moron. Gently at first, and then I bring out the baseball bat. :smiley: But if you have a problem, I will listen for hours to try and figure out what’s wrong and if there’s something I can do.

My parents (mother, really) also taught me the importance of standing up for what you believe in. I will always state what I believe, even if it’s not a popular opinion. I know some people will hate me for it, but I always figure I didn’t need them anyway. Like swiddles above, I refuse to believe I can’t do something because I’m a woman. Playing dumb is not something I do well either.

I love shopping, love football (GO SKINS!), love hanging out and drinking beer with friends, and in a lot of ways am not a stereotypical girl. I overanalyze everything, and am WAY too hard on myself. (Writing this and not listing every fault I think I have was a challenge, really.) I also tend to remember slights and unkind words long after I should. Someone saying something hurtful about me affects me deeply, and will for a while. Perhaps I need a tougher skin.

And that’s the Lady Falcon in a nutshell. An appropriate receptacle, really. :wink:

12

My personality is dominated by two things.

The first is “Osu!” or the “Spirit of Osu”. For those who haven’t seen my explanation of Osu before. Osu is Japanese for “Push”. But in some martial arts it is used as a reply to an instructor. In this sense it means, “to push ahead”, “to endure” or “to persevere”. Martial artists speak about developing the “Spirit of Osu” which is the spirit of perseverence. It is the “Spirit of Osu” that, IMO, drives a person forward. It is the fire that keeps the water boiling to use Sosai Oyama’s famous analogy.

If you put water on a fire it boils. If you remove it from the fire it returns to being cold. It is the same with people. If you do not have an inner fire than you start to fade away.

The second is justice and integrity.

Way back in university, we were doing an exercise to describe other people’s personality. It was part of a psychology student’s paper. I’ll never forget what one of the things the group determined about my personality. “Invincible & Invulnerable”. All, I can say to that is, I sure hope its true.

13

I am the Walrus. Goo goo ga joob.

14

See sig : H.M.S.H.