Only J (Not P) Survives in US
By Jian Shuo Wang on 2008-09-19 07:44 · United StatesI am of type ENFP (Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiving) in my MBTI testing. (If you happen to know MBTI, you know what I am talking about. I believe in it a lot).
I am a very typical P type of person - the type of people
who don’t like schedules
who likes to keep everything open ended
who want to keep possibilities, instead of fixed.
who want to understand the world instead of control it.
I typically don’t have schedules. However, in US, without a schedule, it is really hard to do anything.
You need to make appointment with everyone you see. This is obvious, and not like in Shanghai, you can call someone and meet somewhere at the street corner or at a metro station, in CA particular, people need to drive long to meet.
You need reservation whenever you go. You just don’t want to drive 10 miles only to find out there is no room there. It is especially bad when you have some people coming to the same place.
You need reservation to pick up your cars, and return your cars.
You need to plan very well on hotels, and restaurants, since the experience for a pre-arranged stay is excellent and they have everything setup for you, but walking-in, in contrast, is often very chaotic.
So, look at my calendar (I have a way to hide all the details. Just look at the time blocks)

I cannot imagine I have such a calendar in Shanghai.
3 Comments
I'm always late for appointments and I can't keep a schedule. However I am very responsible. It's too bad our culture is like this. I appreciate that you noticed this as well. Its a relief to find out that I'm not the only one.