INTP's not fond of awards?

[Pyropyro]

I find it a strange habit of mine. It seems that I'm in it for the struggle and subsequent accomplishment but I'm quite uninterested when it comes to the award itself.

For example, it was my graduation for the "undergraduate" diploma level for my Master's degree (my course is ladderized so I can get a master's diploma after doing my thesis) but I didn't attend. It seems that my batchmates found it as the best thing ever but I simply didn't feel anything about it. Besides, formal wear is itchy and should only be used in desperate times.

I just asked my mother to get the diploma for me since she's going to pay for her tuition by then (we studied at the same seminary).

I did get excited at the part where I managed to finish the presentations and papers for the upcoming graduation but that's about it.

Anyone else can relate?

 

[Polaris]

I graduated in absentia. I was thinking about graduating ceremoniously but the whole thing seems pointless to me. It may be something that is appealing to younger graduates as it is a significant achievement at that point in life, but I don't see it as significant at the point where I'm at. It's just another step as part of my ongoing self-development, big deal.

Bat-cape, photos, pompous blah-blah. Plus, it costs money. So, no thanks. I'm more interested in getting the work done without distractions or interruptions. An award is just a label, and pretty meaningless to me if I don't think I deserve it. I do my work at the level I personally think is the least expected of me (which is usually much higher than what is actually expected) - and I can always do better, so I rarely, if ever, think I deserve recognition.

 

[Pyropyro]

Bat-cape, photos, pompous blah-blah. Plus, it costs money. So, no thanks. I'm more interested in getting the work done without distractions or interruptions. An award is just a label, and pretty meaningless to me if I don't think I deserve it. I do my work at the level I personally think is the least expected of me (which is usually much higher than what is actually expected) - and I can always do better, so I rarely, if ever, think I deserve recognition.

Exactly.

I would have totally attend the grad ceremony if I get to wear actual bat(man)-capes though

 

[Rook]

Rewards?
Yes.
Awards?
Pointless waste of time, unless the award has a satisfactory reward.

 

[Pyropyro]

Rewards?
Yes.
Awards?
Pointless waste of time, unless the award has a satisfactory reward.

Agree. I got some cash reward from the graduation which was promptly spent on my bills.

 

[Perfectly Normal Beast]

awards, meh
praise, yawn
ceremonies, snore

 

[Hadoblado]

It depends what I'm doing. My standards are largely internal, but if my goals align with external standards (say, beating a certain person at a game), then I'm all about that victory screen

As far as awards go I typically see them a token economy I don't want to buy into.

 

[Polaris]

Exactly.

I would have totally attend the grad ceremony if I get to wear actual bat(man)-capes though

Hah. New proposal to the university council: let graduates wear superhero costumes

Got my eye on the Spiderman suit

 

[Knick]

I can agree with everything in this thread so far.

Working theory is most awards are given by an institution rather than an individual. From what I understand INTP's generally don't respect titles and positions (things granted by institutions), but rather knowledge and understanding (things proven by the individual).

Wondering if this mindset is INTP specific, or generally held by a larger group (IxTx's?)...

 

[Anktark]

If there is a way to avoid such events, I do. They inflict anything from mild annoyance to murderous thoughts on me. Even if it weren't for the people, I still consider awards of little significance, because I am probably thinking about new/other things already.

 

[Perfectly Normal Beast]

murderous thoughts

i'd keep quiet about those if i were you or they might lock you up.

i can't personally relate at all though

 

[EditorOne]

It's true pomp and circumstance mean little to many INTPs.

However, if you find yourself in a leadership position, it's probably wise to remember that pomp and circumstance as recognition for good work mean very much indeed to most people. It's probably better to treat people the way they want to be treated rather than the way you'd like to be treated. It's not all about you. In fact, if you're in charge, it's usually just the opposite: It's all about them.

And from the other direction: If you are awarded some kind of recognition on the job or in the community or whatever, just accept it with the best cheerful face you can muster. There's no sense making people uneasy by being disdainfully different.

Graduation is a little different. People have a variety of reasons for not being able to attend. You don't stand out.

 

[Architect]

I've received a lot of them for music, I did like them, or used to because they acknowledged my ability, but was embarrassed by the hoopla surrounding it. The best I received was a commendation from the Mayor of SF because it was sent in the mail. I had no trouble with graduation awards, those are generic. How about getting asked for your autograph? Those are weird, I had trouble with that.

They're worse when they age. I have medals and plaques kicking around. I could care less (they seem rather pathetic now). My son got into them when I was about to throw some out. The last thing I want is to display anything. The only two I display are one, a concert poster from a small town in Austria I played in on a tour, and two my undergraduate diploma. I actually framed the poster (I snuck into town afterwards and took it, I thought it was so cool, even though it's a cheaply printed poster) and the diploma was framed by my sister. I wouldn't have framed it myself.

My INTP son hates them in any form AFAIK.

I graduated in absentia. I was thinking about graduating ceremoniously but the whole thing seems pointless to me.

Hillary Clinton spoke at my graduation, it seemed worth going to. I ignored the speech and instead watched a Secret Service agent in front of me. She was dressed up in a cap and gown, but I knew who she was from the demeanor, and the fact that she continually scanned the audience and was the only other I saw who also ignored Hillary.

 

[al.otakupunk]

I'm weird about this one. I like getting them, but I don't keep them very well (heck, my high school diploma cover is starting to fade out). Ceremonies are embarrassing, though... too much attention. I reveled in the attention during my high school graduation, but only because I was finally free and wanted to make a last stand. XD I kind of think of it like a video game: it's a symbol that I've reached the end and "won." However, unfortunately, unlike a video game, in life you can't start the game over from the beginning and get more stuff, making the symbol meaningless after a while.

 

[Jennywocky]

They might serve as a very very momentary expression about how people view my efforts -- whether what I did impacted them in some way, and where it fell on the scale of achievement (that's the kind of feedback I appreciate, "Hey, I'm not invisible after all!"), but it can only provide that input for a bit of time and soon loses meaning. And even just hearing people thought my efforts were outstanding, well, I don't really like having all those people focused on me.

I typically am not one to have awards hanging on walls or on trophy shelves. Any plaque I have ever gotten is in a box somewhere in the basement. I don't usually talk about them either; I'm always looking ahead.

 

[Doktorin Zylinder]

Remembering back to when I was a child, I thought that award ceremonies were deliberate wastes of time. We could have been learning something of consequence, but, no, we had to sit in the gym and watch the whole grade get a piece of paper. There were over five hundred kids in my year.

I never understood why people were so into being recognized. Most of the time, I just wanted to be left alone. Even my degrees are in an envelope somewhere instead of on the wall like my parents wanted. I will add that some things do add a certain amount of respect like being called doctor. Yes, that's from personal experience. Especially in the corporate world, it is something a lot of people see as an authority given and a mark of expertise. It might be an SJ thing; I'm not sure.

I'm going to agree with EditorOne. A lot of people do like the pomp and circumstance. It was something they were raised with, something they know the function of, and the way they wish to be recognized for work well done. I read a book back a few years ago about how difference types of people like to be recognized in different ways. Some want a ceremony, some want a card or thank you note, some want just a small gathering, and some just was to be left alone. I always hated it when someone told me "good job." It's always felt somewhat condescending to me.

 

[Jennywocky]

My niece is having a graduation ceremony.

She is in preschool.

 

[Torojan]

I'm not particularly fond of awards. In high school, I've been invited through mail to attend award ceremonies a few times to claim an award (usually for music). I would go and receive the award, shake hands, whatever, but there was no particular excitement about it. There was no, "Ooooh I can't wait until it's my turn to be up there!" I was more interesting in seeing which students were rewarded by certain teachers, and I'd go into analysis from there: What impression do I get from the awarded student? So that's what kind of person the teacher likes? The teacher must like ____ and believe in ____.

As for awards themselves...nah still don't particularly like them. In my thoughts, I eventually drew a connection between awards and superficiality. I see awards as a lazy way of showing people that you're worth talking to. But, like, why would you go out of your way to show someone an award? It actually kind of disgusts me, now that I put it that way.

 

[TBerg]

My niece is having a graduation ceremony.

She is in preschool.

Getting them hooked early!

 

[Jennywocky]

winner of
"BADGE OF INDIFFERENCE AKA APATHY"

 

[TBerg]

Equality is everywhere!

 

[Pyropyro]

Equality is everywhere!

Now this is my kind of award.

If only they hand out coffee beans and coffeemaking gadgets in these ceremonies.

 

[TBerg]

Yeah, good coffee always perks up my day, but Seattle's Best isn't that good. Better than McDonald's, but that isn't saying a whole lot. But I need at least some kind of coffe every day to sate my addiction.

 

[ENTP lurker]

Got couple of awards in the fiels of chemistry in school. It was kind of awkward to get up and receive them. Didn't mean lot to me just another awkward moment.
I kind of like Grigori Perelman's philosophy when it comes to those things. They are just stupid and shallow way of saying you did something well afterwards not respecting the process but end result.

 

[TylerTennessee]

I didn't grow to graduation either. My thesis?
I have very little interest in gaining my reward through physical expression.
In fact, I didn't WANT to go to graduation. The reward was obtained via the experience, memories and knowledge. Some people may not feel like they accomplished anything until they have a paper to show for it. They didn't want the knowledge. They wanted the proof and the rewards of having said proof. And that's perfectly acceptable, these people get rich.

 

[Puffy]

I didn't want to attend my grad ceremonies either, but basically did for my Mother as she wanted a photo of me in bat-cape etc to remember it by, and given she'd paid a part of the tuition I felt it was unfair to say no.

I work for my own motives and growth typically. I treasure praise from people I respect the most in terms of recognition.

Ceremonies seem to me as much a celebration for the institution than the students though really ('look at the people we've produced!'). I resent having to stand there in their insignia for my own work, when I've had to payout to basically have access to their library and some of their staff's office hours.

 

[Glider]

The experience is the reward. The formalities are just uncomfortable.
The people who chase paper to frame, end up feeling empty when they have reached the top of their careers. We are told to always look forward to end of term or end of grade school, so you can be one of the big kids or end of university when you have your PhD or to the next step on the job ladder. But there is nothing there.
The Experience is the reward.

 

[The Grey Man]

If I can decide on my own values (i.e. define success) and evaluate my own progress, what will an award tell me that I don't already know? If I can't, I need more information to crystallize my worldview, not some award-givers placating me by appealing to my weird irrational fondness of external validation.

 

[Yellow]

I have gone to ceremonies to award ceremonies to please other people. I went to the one for my BS because it was really important to my parents (I'm the only one in my dad's family to get any degree, ever). I went to one for "Teacher of the Year" because it was a party just for me, so not going would be rude, etc. Luckily for my MS, I lived far away from parents and I could avoid the 5 hours of pointlessness.

I just realized the other day that I'm the only therapist in the building that doesn't have a single degree or certification on the wall. It finally occurred to me after 1.5 years of stepping into everyone else's offices, what mine was missing. What's the point, really. They see the organization's accreditation on the wall when they walk in, and the clients know my position, so they are going to assume I have the degrees. Seeing as most of them don't even have a GED, I really don't understand why I should be bragging.

So it's not that I'm not fond of awards, I just find that there is a disconnect between the awards I've been given and what I feel I've earned. I don't see doing my job as being worthy of an award. If you think I'm doing better than the others, increase my pay, dammit.

There are moments when an award is reasonable, and even welcome. Like if I did something that no one else has done. If I discovered a new color, I think I'd be happy to get an award.

Praise is much the same way. Praise me for the things I do that are significant. A little while back, I found a homeless, alcoholic woman a very good place to live and a chance to clean up. I follow up to check on her from time to time, and she's doing incredibly well. If my boss felt the need to give me praise for that, I could see that as making sense. But when they praise me instead for always doing my reports correctly, I'm stuck scratching my head.

 

[Reluctantly]

I'm not. I was supposed to get an award for doing other people's jobs during a training exercise for the Army. But the Major I guess never cared to put in the paperwork and I don't care to bother her about it; it'll just mean going to a ceremony and getting some promotion points when I'm going to get out of the Army anyway...just stuff I don't care to do really.

I've actually intentionally scored low on tests in AIT just so I wouldn't be top of the class. It just means doing more bullshit imo. You gotta give a speech and now people expect more of you in terms of work ethic and ability. It's annoying.

Standing out seems bad, even if it's for achievements/successes. It always seems better to fly under the radar and surprise people when it's important too.