INTJs and Social rituals

[michalyn]

This has probably been asked many times before but do other INTJs feel like they don't grasp the meaning behind social rituals? I don't mean in the sense of being polite or having good manners but I find myself often feeling puzzled by small talk or just being aware that there is an expectation of a certain kind of interaction on the other end but

Comments

[flyingmintbunny]

I do get the meaning behind social rituals, they just seem pointless and even worse, insincere, which is something I hate.

[hslayer]

Yes, yes, and yes.

[z8z8]

Ditto

need to step back..

[tricstmr]

1.. I don't "understand" social rituals in the sense of grokking them and feeling that they are what I would, given the chance, to choose to do with my resources and time. however, I do understand that not everyone is like me and others do find social rituals to be useful for a variety of reasons. For some, it actually simplifies an emotionally laden social activities by easing themselves into it. For others--it's a game.. and games are fun, so they enjoy them. While not my choice for games.. I understand theoretically how some people therefore enjoy social rituals

[athaira9]

How much do you need to understand it? Are you generally attracted to these alien people who add all this unnecessary complexity? If so, by all means figure out their rituals, but you could also choose to stick with people who are more like-minded, or at least meet you halfway. For me, I don't find not understanding a lot of it any sort of barrier to getting along with the type of people I want to know, so although I try to understand some of it, for information's sake, it's not massively important to me.