From what I've read it seems to me like Fe users never smile/laugh exclusively for themselves in social situations. Is this true or am I just misunderstanding things?
mmm, i think we certainly do! smiling's a universal emotion related to joy. so if a person is genuinely happy, a smile naturally appears on their face, whether we're alone or in social company.
some Fe users (a la Denzel Washington) are entirely directive in their Fe and won't smile unless they really feel it. but many Fe users have a habit of also using smiles in other ways; to try to create situations of joy. lift the mood, get along with others, grease the wheels, etc.
Now, even Fi users can do this, but there's generally a lack of coordination present. One could say an Fe user has a natural/automatic coordination of their expressions. An organic ability. And this is because Fi is disconnected by default from the external, while Fe is connected to it and to outward impact (which coordinated expressions give).
but as always, there's room for overlap with personal development and nurture.
I feel like it's less controlling whether you laugh, but how. Fe-users tend to pick up a "ha-ha, yes good show, I say!" type of coordinated laugh that's pleasant to listen to (though not always d:), where Fi users make a reflexive sort of vibrating noise that may or may not sound nice because it's unrelated to communication. Fi laughter is unfiltered, while Fe laughter is filtered.
Post by apollanaut on Jan 24, 2017 20:18:31 GMT -5
"ha-ha, yes good show, I say!" type of coordinated laugh - yes, this is a good way of describing it. I can get quite embarrassed if I laugh in a more spontaneous, uncontrolled manner. If I'm caught off guard by, say, another person's unexpected humourous comment, then I may snort loudly, or spray my coffee all over the place (why do they always do this when I'm drinking something?).
Thank you for clearing that up! The idea that they can't smile for themselves did sound strange...
