ENFP Mannerisms

[BookLady]

Have you noticed that enfp's make jerky or spunky or quick movements? My daughters love to playfully mock my animated reactions to things. It seems I can't talk without using my hands (and I am not even Italian!)

I am not even aware of the 'dramatic' aspect of how I communicate but apparently it is always there. When they imitate me, it is embarrassing and I ask, "Do I really look like that?!?!" They smile and say, "yessss..."

[Hexis]

You should see me get passionate in a heated debate. Im liable to hit someone in the face!

Not joking...its happened...lol

[phoenix13]

Oh goodness... and it gets worse when I'm tired. Some lame anecdotes:

1) I'm in line to get food, thinkin' about Mr. Handsome behind me. Out of the blue, I snap my head around and look square at him with a goofy smile on my face. He gasps. I turn back around, get my food, and only later realize how weird that was for him.

2) I'm bored at work and falling asleep, so I decide to get some tea. I literally jump up, grab my mug, trip over a trash can, and stumble to the door. My supervisor gasps then laughs at my clumsiness.

I'll spare you #3.

[Into It]

I don't feel like leaving the people I'm with requires an explanation so long as I'm coming back soon. I'm out at dinner... Whoosh, I'm up to check out a painting on a wall or to check out the food again, etc. It feels so natural to do this, and I often leave my chair out because I'm up and out so fast. I am drawn to the new object and the chair, table, people, etc. all of the sudden matter much less...

I tell a story, and the story IS the point. Other people's stories lead to a point, so I can really disappoint in this area.

[Rachelinpa]

I am not even aware of the 'dramatic' aspect of how I communicate but apparently it is always there

You speak truth. It's ineluctable.

[Mighty Mouse]

I have taken the "dance of the hands" to even a higher level.

I train and I use my hands to teach. So if I am saying the word 'concise', my hands will draw a square in the air. It's actually very effective.;)

And, yes, people love to imitate it too and tease. What is even funnier is that when people spend some time with me, they start using their hands like I do almost as a reflection.

I find the behavioral psychology fascinating...

[mlittrell]

ENFPs can be phenominal mimics in both body language and speach. also great with word play

[kyuuei]

I didn't think I was quite as expressive as I am.. but I am constantly told my facial expressions are very openly dramatic, and it couldn't be plainer than an open picture book what I was feeling or reacting to.. I also flail my arms a lot. I don't mind being picked on for it all though, it's just the way I am.

[Lizzy1813]

Haha...I'm studying ASL (American Sign Language), which seemed like a good idea with all my theatrics and everything...but now I REALLY have a hard time not talking with my hands!

And yes, people usually make fun of my gestures when I talk, though they typically think it's because of the signing...


And yes, I have gotten into intense signing exchanges and hurt myself--from head hitting to hand whacking--multiple times. :blush:

[CzeCze]

^^ ASL is extremely full body expressive. I took a beginner class for a few sessions and I was really surprised how similar to theatrical warm-ups and just plain acting and pantomiming our classes were.

[kyuuei]

I was a bit too shy and repressed in high school to do theatrics.. I wonder if I'd have done better in school had I gone through with it since I did do beginner classes for it in middle school..

[CzeCze]

Drama classes are great for people to get in touch with themselves and emoting and just expressing themselves -- especially ENFPs! It's just fun.

[Freya]

hehe, my mom is an ENFP. When she talks to anyone, she is always VERY expressive and often bangs on the table (if we're at dinner or something). She has a lot of trouble sitting still and when my family sits down to play a game or something, it takes her forever to "get situated."

[Angry Ayrab]

ENFP = Drama Queen in a funny non-dramatic way. Just out their to grab that spotlight... not because we want it, but because everything people say can conjure up a funny idea in our head that can be vaguely related (Ne) but extremely entertaining and of need of immediate release to the public...

[CaptainChick]

I tend to be both emotionally expressive and physically animated when I speak, and boy oh boy do I gesticulate.

:yes:

[hathor_sekhmet]

I kind of envy you guys for your expressive nature.

[EvanTheClown]

As far as gesticulation is concerned, I am known to talk with my hands quite a bit.
When i'm getting into a good story, telling it to a crowd of people (as I do just about everyday at college), my face lights up and the story builds. I keep everybody's attention and just socially whore myself into their minds.

[animenagai]

I kind of envy you guys for your expressive nature.

i used to be shy as hell. i would stay quiet in class unless nobody knows the answer and i would break my silence just to get things rolling. eventually though, my NF said "why should you care what anyone thinks if you're doing nothing wrong?" and i started talking more and more. it takes time man, practice makes perfect.

[hathor_sekhmet]

i used to be shy as hell. i would stay quiet in class unless nobody knows the answer and i would break my silence just to get things rolling. eventually though, my NF said "why should you care what anyone thinks if you're doing nothing wrong?" and i started talking more and more. it takes time man, practice makes perfect.

:D

Eh, I can be animated for a short span of time, but I get tired easily. Then I retreat into myself and am like :peepwall:. That is the drawback of being introverted, I guess.

Go ENFPs!!

[351Stang]

i used to be shy as hell. i would stay quiet in class unless nobody knows the answer and i would break my silence just to get things rolling. eventually though, my NF said "why should you care what anyone thinks if you're doing nothing wrong?" and i started talking more and more. it takes time man, practice makes perfect.

Hah, i was the same way from the time i was born to the end highschool.
But since i've graduated and started working i've just said the hell with it and have become a complete goofball and it's really made me loads happier and a much more enjoyable person to be around :)

And yes, i am very expressive with both my hands and face when i'm talking, i even like to use props if they are available.
My ENFJ mom is the same way too, you could be deaf and still understand what she is saying because she is very animated and uses her entire body when she talks. Between the two of us i think we kind of drain the energy out of my INFP sister and INFJ dad.

Oh and HI!, its my first post :hi:

[Angry Ayrab]

Hah, i was the same way from the time i was born to the end highschool.
But since i've graduated and started working i've just said the hell with it and have become a complete goofball and it's really made me loads happier and a much more enjoyable person to be around :)

And yes, i am very expressive with both my hands and face when i'm talking, i even like to use props if they are available.
My ENFJ mom is the same way too, you could be deaf and still understand what she is saying because she is very animated and uses her entire body when she talks. Between the two of us i think we kind of drain the energy out of my INFP sister and INFJ dad.

Oh and HI!, its my first post :hi:

I've almost given up the stone faced killer look I have been trying to achieve. I do get it going for a day or two, but then someone shows up and they look all depressed and I have to bust out the crackhead normal personality to cheer em up or some other such scenario.

[animenagai]

Hah, i was the same way from the time i was born to the end highschool.
But since i've graduated and started working i've just said the hell with it and have become a complete goofball and it's really made me loads happier and a much more enjoyable person to be around :)

And yes, i am very expressive with both my hands and face when i'm talking, i even like to use props if they are available.
My ENFJ mom is the same way too, you could be deaf and still understand what she is saying because she is very animated and uses her entire body when she talks. Between the two of us i think we kind of drain the energy out of my INFP sister and INFJ dad.

Oh and HI!, its my first post :hi:

same here :). it's a great feeling when you're no longer holding back yourself. i think a lot of ENFP's were shy earlier in life because the E means that they care about what other people say.

to hathor_sekhmet, i guess that's just the difference between being an E or an I. it's where we get energy afterall. ;)

[chris1207]

I hate to tell ya but I don't think being expressive is really an ENFP exclusive thing. I do it to. Talking with the hands, big smiles, goofy looks, the whole shebang.

I can definitely relate to what everyone is talking about, though, with coming out of your shell and just acting like the person you were always meant to be. It's nice and comforting. I think it could be more of an male ENFX problem. Women can be as expressive and friendly as they want but when guys do it we're either gay or weird.

[animenagai]

think it could be more of an male ENFX problem. Women can be as expressive and friendly as they want but when guys do it we're either gay or weird.

absolutely. we've had many conversations here on MBTIC where male ENFP's said they acted tougher than they were when they were young (myself included) just so they would be socially respectable. im not saying that it's just an ENFP thing btw, i'm just saying that we do :alttongue:.

if i was female, i wouldn't have been have as shy as a child. gosh, i might have even been popular! :shock: