Like looking in a Freaking Mirror!

topic posted Mon, January 14, 2008 - 2:22 PM by  Brendan
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Do the rest of you hear this a lot:

"We're so much alike it's scary!"

I've had the most unusual cross-section of people over the years tell me how incredibly alike we were. In some ways. it's flattering to know I did that good of a job relating to them and speaking their language, but in another way, I have to wonder sometimes if all of it's really me. or if any of it is. Are you all chameleons, too?

Something potentially related, I often get this as well:

"You look EXACTLY like (my big brother/former roommate/ex-boyfriend/co-worker/dead bike friend/etc)!"

In my life, I've been fat, I've been scrawny, I've been well muscled, I've had a runner's build... I've had short brown hair, long blonde hair, a blue braided mohawk down to my ass and currently I'm bald with a long black ponytail sticking out of the back of my head.

Regardless of how outlandishly I've decorated myself with hairstyles, clothing or body types, people have a feeling they've met me before.

Do you think there's a connection? Do you guys get that reaction, too?
posted by:
Brendan
Washington, D.C.
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  • Re: Like looking in a Freaking Mirror!

    Mon, January 14, 2008 - 5:29 PM
    People tell me that I remind them of themselves, or that the two of us are very alike. I am a total chameleon, and tend to mimic/ mirror others without really thinking about it. I think that is quite related to being an ENFP.
    • Re: Like looking in a Freaking Mirror!

      Mon, January 14, 2008 - 10:03 PM
      i figured it was a trait of the ENFP, but i've never verified it, having not had much or any contact with other ENFPs. i'm kind of excite to have stumbled upon this group.

      what i have to wonder... are any number of things as a result of this, though.

      which is the cause and which the effect, and what is the connection between someone physically finding ou familiar without exchanging a word and seeing themselves in you after talking, if there is one?

      ...rambling off point...

      do i genuinely physically resemble all of these people? i doubt it strongly, considering the rather diverse and unconventional looks I've cultivated.

      are there some personality types that judge appearances based more strongly on body language and posture than visual input? that might be more plausible. though i've never asked any of these people who've approached me what their personality profiles were.

      when people tell me we're alike, i disagree, because while i know i can reltae to them on certain levels and i pursue conversations looking for that common ground, i know that the characteristics that are revealed are dominantly theirs, and the way some of my ways of being echo theirs.

      i do it without thinking about it, but reflecting back on most of my interactions, i try to dissect it. it seems weird that i'm so good at listening to a stranger's problems and being the revelatory force that steers them in an enlightened new direction, but when it comes to my wants and needs and goals, i feel totally lost.

      sometimes i feel like i'm more of a fun house mirror than a genuine person. i wonder sometimes if that's who i really am, the thing that reflects people back at themselves in a different light. or if there's a single real me in here somewhere instead of several.
      i naturally focus on filling in other people's gaps; i enjoy helping them fulfill themselves and solve their problems, but when it comes to mine, i'm at a loss.

      i get an ego boost out of their reaction to my charisma, so i'm not pouty or anything, and i've done much better lately about surrounding myself with people whose interpretation of me reflects things i want to be... and think i am. i guess i'm just never happy living in the present. i always have to find something to worry about. =)

      ok, enough rambling.
  • Re: Like looking in a Freaking Mirror!

    Mon, January 14, 2008 - 8:35 PM
    Yep, I've been told that several times... "You're alot like me...." (personality-wise)

    I think it's because we are reflective and in tuned to the other person, so we can sense what's important to them... pick up on stuff... see what makes them tick.... what they like... and talk about that....

    Natural freak'n sales people, I say.....
    • Re: Like looking in a Freaking Mirror!

      Mon, January 14, 2008 - 10:05 PM
      do you hate the idea of sales, though?

      i have a mad desire to increase the good in the world, and though i'm naturally good at convincing people of things, i have to really believe in the product or i feel dirty selling it.
      • Re: Like looking in a Freaking Mirror!

        Tue, January 15, 2008 - 10:57 AM
        I believe it has to be something you agree with, are interested in, and is harmless if not helpful... otherwise, I agree.. I couldn't do it either... It disturbs our emotional peace to do "un-nice" or "hurtful" things.....
        • Re: Like looking in a Freaking Mirror!

          Tue, January 13, 2009 - 11:36 PM
          That is so funny! I absolutely love this group, it describes me to a T. I've actually never thought twice about people saying I look familiar, until I read your post, but it happens to me quite often. And thinking it through, it totally makes sense. I always thought I must have some generic "look," but now I know it's the ENFP's ability to relate with others so remarkably without even trying! It makes me think I really need to put this to some use in a job...but again, I have always shied away from sales. Numerous people have told me throughout my career search that I would be great in pharmaceutical sales...but sales has always just had kind of a bad rap in my mind. I love all the career posts because it is such a relief to know that I am not the only one who bounces a thousand career options in my mind, only to become frustrated that I can't pursue them all at once! And what to choose first? I think the helping professions are so rewarding to ENFP's because we use our relating skills without even trying...because it comes naturally, it is not "work" for us, and the emotional rewards are so worth it. Do alot of other ENFP's feel that they want to achieve something- BIG- for the world..not sure what it is..just knowing they want their life's work to have some great meaning? It seems so unrealistic..but yet we know it has to happen in order to feel fulfilled!
          • Re: Like looking in a Freaking Mirror!

            Sat, January 31, 2009 - 9:13 PM
            hahaha.... No, I get this all the time too. People always tell me like I look like their friend/relative So-and-So, or ask me if I am related to Such-And-Such.

            I don't know if our ability to relate to others is the becomes crossed with our physical attributes, but it probably does come across in our physical expressions.

            LOL On a couple of different occasions I have met someone at a conference or whatnot, and have been asked by an outside observer if we were married or been lifelong friends.

            On another note, though, I am only really able to establish rapport with people I am not trying to impress, or I am not consciously thinking that I am being judged. I think I would make a horrible sales person for that reason, even if I didn't feel guilty about playing a cog in the consumerist machine.
            • Re: Like looking in a Freaking Mirror!

              Fri, February 27, 2009 - 3:09 PM
              Yup. I get that. I'm really enthusiastic and childlike (read: not childish) and I'm really good at relating to other people. I was actually just looking into the field of pharmaceutical sales as another one of my "million dollar ideas" (I have many many many money-making strategies that I never seem to follow through with... good thing I'm noticing this at the ripe young age of 23.) But, like many here, I canNOT stand to back a product I don't believe in. Not one bit. I bet I'd be really personable, honest, and approachable as a salesperson, but I hate the politics behind drugging people and I'm not really sure yet about how I feel regarding medical devices.

              Anyhow, let us all raise an imaginary glass to a true ENFP life that will never be boring or stale, and one that will be full of wonderful fulfilling connections with others.
  • Re: Like looking in a Freaking Mirror!

    Sun, April 26, 2009 - 6:56 AM
    Oh my gosh! I have had the same experience. I'm so good at being all things to all people and relating to them that I also have lots of people say how we're alike. And I've had TONS of people in my life tell me I look just like someone they know.
    My theory is that as ENFP's we are so good at empathizing and connecting with people that they subconsiously think that we are like them and our loving warm personalities must remind them of people they know. Just keep being yourself. It may be annoying at times to hear that all the time, but it may also bring you into relationships and connections you could not have had otherwise!

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