Are INTPs Particularly Patient?

[GarmGarf]

Do INTPs tend to possess a lot of patience, particularly with ambitions and goals? Regardless, what about general patience with other stuff?

 

[EditorOne]

I think not, as a natural thing, because you're always seeing things clear to a solution and wondering why everyone else is dithering, and as a teen, especially, the frustration and impatience are epic.

However you can think your way to patience: At some point there is a realization that some of the things you fret about just don't matter. Next epiphany: Some of those things solve themselves in the fullness of time without anyone lifting a hand. Third epiphany: Sometimes you can make a problem go away by not dealing with the results but the causes, which, with the way things are, often you are the only one to see. I call it "going upstream" and diverting the river's flow or whatever. So while they are all focused on the symptoms, you can whang away at the causes without interference, only some strange looks.

I have learned patience. However, I'm 60, so there's kind of a longer perspective at work here than for a great many of you. Also, since I plan to live to 120 (everyone needs an ambitious goal), patience has emerged as a valuable commodity.

 

[Trebuchet]

I don't think INTPs are any more or less patient that others. It depends on the circumstances. Probably we are patient or frustrated with different kinds of circumstances than others, though.

I am very patient with students who are genuinely trying to learn, or with myself working on long-term goals, or with people making honest mistakes.

I am very impatient with people being incompetent, with myself making any mistake when I think I should be good at something, or with people who tell me obvious things.

Also, it depends greatly on how tired and/or busy I feel, but I expect that is universal, and not an INTP thing at all.

 

[WorkInProgress]

People tell me all the time that I never let anything get to me, but that's only because I'm either disconnected from or finding humor in my own misfortune. I feel like I've been conditioned to see some things as really bad when they aren't a big deal at all.

Though people have told me it's a flaw to be this way because if I don't care about bad things, they don't see how I can care for good things (like them). I say that I embrace the good things and wave away the bad, but some don't buy it. People can be much more intuitive than I'd like.

 

[Eclipse]

For me, it depends. Like Trebuchet, a lot of my patience has to do with the person...whether they are actually trying or are incompetent by their own fault.

I think a big thing for me is being restrained. I'm not sure what exactly is the cause. For example, in hallways or staircases, where its crowded. If somebody is moving slowly and holding me back, I can get so frustrated I just want to run them over and be done with it. Even if it isn't that person's fault, I still feel angry, and a lot of times I feel bad about being angry because I know I shouldn't be. It really sucks when I'm angry AND feel bad at the same time.

I also have little patience for things that waste time. People have sometimes misinterpreted me as being rude or impatient spirits when I rush them on the phone or in conversation. I find myself sometimes skipping the "hello" phase, or saying hi then continuing with no "hi" back. I hope it doesn't sound like I'm being mean to people, I just...don't see the point in generalities like that. They only waste time.

 

[Midus]

When I first read the title, I immediately thought of waiting in line for something. I'm definitely patient there. I can just let my mind wander and do "nothing" for hours while my friends complain about how long everything is taking.

I'm patient for the most part, but there are definitely things that wear on me quickly. Having things over explained to me always annoys. Just tell me what to do. I don't need all of the superfluous information and reasoning behind it.

I get impatient when I'm told to do something that I am already planning on doing.

 

[Jennywocky]

Lots of people have told me I'm very patient with other people. I guess I can always be patient with goals too and stuff, because it's all "big picture."

If i can see that things are moving in the right direction (whether a task or a person), then I know I can wait my time and it'll all get there eventually. And if I understand how things work and how they often cannot be sped up, then I won't bother trying to push something to happen. I know it will happen when the right time arrives.

... but maybe the natural detachment of the type can be mistaken as patience too.

 

[NeverAmI]

Some people think I am the most patient person in the world. In all actuality I most likely forgot what I was doing...

That being said, don't interrupt me; it is rude and I just might break stuff!