Back in middle/high school, we took some version on the Meyers Briggs test every year. And it was pretty obvious which personality type you should want to be.
Would you:
A) Like to have a huge party with all of your friends
B) Speak in front of a million people and be loved by all
C) Sit in a dark room with a book
That might be a small exaggeration, but for the most part I could see clearly being an introvert was NOT the most desirable choice. So, even though sitting in a dark room with a book actually sounded really appealing, so did having a party with all of my friends…like, as long as I didn’t have to speak in front of all of them.
I faked my way to ENFJ on that test and as best I could through life. Don’t get me wrong, I do love to be surrounded by people and invited to all of the things, it just took me a while to realize deep down “I” was the dreaded “I”. Introvert. Extroverted Introvert maybe? But still. Anybody who rehearses what they are going to say to the grocery store cashier is most likely not “interested in pushing their limits” (per Meyers Briggs).
I am also a creature of habit. I eat at Chicken Salad Chick almost everyday of the work week, mainly because it has a drive through. I order the same thing (Cranberry Kelli, fruit, half/half tea) every. day. And, the same woman takes my order and hands me my food everyday. If I were not who I am, we probably would have struck up a conversation or two by now. Instead, I have decided to pretend the whole thing is not happening. Pretend like I don’t see her more than most close family members. And I thought she was on board with this.
Until last week, when I had to go inside to pick up my order. And a girl, not my girl, shouted from the front of the restaurant to the drive through,
“HA!!! I’ve got her in here today!!!!”
And now I can never go to Chicken Salad Chick again.
Obviously.
But this week, in another chicken related incident, I thought I could redeem myself.
I’d ordered food from the current tween hot spot- Tropical Smoothie- for my kids and their friend. One chicken quesadilla , two cheese quesadillas and some chips. I got home to find three chicken quesadillas and 0 chips.
Gracie, who is 13 and the biggest ENFJ to ever live:
“Ugh, Mrs (insert mom she thinks is cooler than me) would take it back, but you would never!”
The one thing that overrides any shyness- tell me I would never.
So up I roared to Tropical Smoothie to make the teenager pay for his missteps, receipt in hand.
Me: I am missing two cheese quesadillas PLUS chips (ineffectually waving receipt in his direction)
Him: I made those
Me: Yes, but I am missing the two cheese..plus chips
Him: I made three
Me: YOU MADE THE WRONG THREE!!! PLUS THE CHIPS!!
Everyone in restaurant turns to stare. Teenager eye rolls and mumbles. Starts making something. I wait what seems like a ridiculously long time. Get handed a bag. Ask again for the damn chips. More mumbling. Leave triumphantly!
Arrive home, kids open the bag. He’s given us two more chicken quesadillas.
Would you:
A) Get on Instagram Live and blast the company
B) Drive back to the restaurant and demand a refund
C) Tell your husband he has to eat chicken quesadillas for lunch all week and retreat to your dark room with a book
If you picked C, you are-sorry- an introvert. And should probably just use Door Dash.
Caught in my natural habitat