What Temperament Says About You

[Mpamaegbu]

I have come to compartmentalize every human I meet for the first time into temperaments and expectations.

Normally, it takes me between 2-5 minutes to do that if we are having a discussion or trying to make acquaintances but longer if I am observing from afar. Honestly, it's been very easy for me relating with people that way and it keeps my sanity.

I got this idea after reading Tim Lahaye's book Why You Act The Way You Do.

There are four temperaments listed and every human is a mixture of two of the four with one always dominating.

Permit me to do a recap and my expectations and how I handle these temperaments:

Choleric - Extrovert and Domineering, Hard Worker, Quick Tempered (most times unnecessarily, anyway).

My Expectations: I see someone who likes authority and always wants to be in charge of any situation even when they know next to nothing about the situation.

Phlegmatic - Introvert and Docile, Lacklustre, Lukewarm, Chief Procrastinator, Indifferent and Nonchalant to things around them.  The book describes people of this temperament as "Christians before being born again" because of their soft and amiable nature.

My Expectations: I see this set as people who like to be led. They hardly make up their minds on things without seeking validation from others. They're the best people to employ in offices if you crave loyalty and obedience. But be ready to always drive them to efficiency if you must counter their constant "I go, I go (I shall, I shall)" and forgetfulness. I hardly have any issues against this temperament apart from it being my worst. It's even worse when a man has it.

Melancholy - As the name suggests is the constant face value mourners. They always look sad and reticent. You definitely want to keep your distance meeting them for the first time. Introvert, Moody, Lone Ranger, Meticulous and Fastidious to details (a Mel can iron his stockings and bedspreads. He is that meticulous, sadly). Perfection driven. Tough on situations (sometimes unnecessarily). They are slow at making up their minds on things but once they do, they hardly back out. Difficult to trust others but once they do they can be fun to be with.

My Expectations: Difficult set to deal with but I can confidently count on their words as bond. They are difficult to win over and sometimes it's a pain trying to even convince them. But once this is achieved, I feel at home with them. This is my best temperament. I can employ someone of this disposition once I am sure of willingness to learn on their part.

Sanguine - Extrovert, Loquacious. Boastful, Gesticulate a lot and most times would touch their listeners to gain attention. Attention seekers. The book describes them as, "Seeing their mouths before seeing them." I had to laugh at that description. There are just one or two I have come in contact in life who aren't boastful. They always want to sound high on achievements which they may not even have just to make others feel envious. They are best as employees for advertising agencies and care services.

My Expectations: I don't take their words as truth because I believe there is always a sugarcoat in whatever they say. I am short of seeing them as perpetual liars. They are as unsteady as the rivers. But they are your best companions when you're moody.

I hope no one takes offence at this reality. If you must do, let's read your side of the post. Take note that there may be quotes in the text from the above listed book.

[uneng]

I think people should try improving themselves by balancing all these characteristics. To be only melancholic, only extrovert or only domineering don't work, we need different elements to fulfill ourselves: it's important to express all the kinds of moods on the right moments (being them positive or not), especially because it can help us preventing diseases and also keeping our mind healthy.

[CryptoBry]

Melancholy - As the name suggests is the constant face value mourners. They always look sad and reticent. You definitely want to keep your distance meeting them for the first time. Introvert, Moody, Lone Ranger, Meticulous and Fastidious to details (a Mel can iron his stockings and bedspreads. He is that meticulous, sadly). Perfection driven. Tough on situations (sometimes unnecessarily). They are slow at making up their minds on things but once they do, they hardly back out. Difficult to trust others but once they do they can be fun to be with.

My Expectations: Difficult set to deal with but I can confidently count on their words as bond. They are difficult to win over and sometimes it's a pain trying to even convince them. But once this is achieved, I feel at home with them. This is my best temperament. I can employ someone of this disposition once I am sure of willingness to learn on their part.

I am melancholic by nature and has been this way since childhood. There was a time when I suffer from identity crisis and my life had no direction then but eventually I overcome that phase with no scars on my inner self. I have no problem if I am alone and there are times when I intentionally avoided people. I can be easy to dealt with generally as I am not fond of making so many complaints.

[Mpamaegbu]

I think people should try improving themselves by balancing all these characteristics. To be only melancholic, only extrovert or only domineering don't work, we need different elements to fulfill ourselves: it's important to express all the kinds of moods on the right moments (being them positive or not), especially because it can help us preventing diseases and also keeping our mind healthy.

What do you mean by that part I marked in red? Would you mind explaining because it's confusing.

I am melancholic by nature and has been this way since childhood. There was a time when I suffer from identity crisis and my life had no direction then but eventually I overcome that phase with no scars on my inner self. I have no problem if I am alone and there are times when I intentionally avoided people. I can be easy to dealt with generally as I am not fond of making so many complaints.

That's a cool temperament. You must be naturally intelligent because that's one attribute of melancholics. Keep it up with whatever you're doing.

[uneng]

I think people should try improving themselves by balancing all these characteristics. To be only melancholic, only extrovert or only domineering don't work, we need different elements to fulfill ourselves: it's important to express all the kinds of moods on the right moments (being them positive or not), especially because it can help us preventing diseases and also keeping our mind healthy.

What do you mean by that part I marked in red? Would you mind explaining because it's confusing.

There are people who live only on extremes: totally extrovert or totally introvert, calm or angry, happy or sad... I mean this lack of moods balance in life isn't healthy and can cause diseases.
Think about someone who is constantly pretending to be happy: in fact it's impossible, this person is hiding his feelings. You can find this situation on the work environment easily: there are many people who agree with everything others say or that will follow others orders without expressing they aren't in agreement with that or they will even laugh about a joke that they didn't like.

They are forcing a mood, they are going against their own instincts, what is very harmful on long run. The consequences can be stress, depression, apathy or even an outbreak. That is why I say it's important to balance different emotions and feelings, without hiding anything!

[davis196]

I'm melancholic and I can't change it.Anyway,those psychological attempts to categorize people by their temper can be very stupid and misleading.One melancholic can't be totally identical with another,or one extrovert with another.

[LUCKMCFLY]

Many people I know who are of strong temperament, that is, people with little patience are usually very smart and smarter than the normal average that exists, it is also necessary to emphasize that according to some statistics this type of people are usually outstanding in their work, Most of these behaviors are recognized from childhood.

[Mpamaegbu]

I'm melancholic and I can't change it.Anyway,those psychological attempts to categorize people by their temper can be very stupid and misleading.One melancholic can't be totally identical with another,or one extrovert with another.

This is simply because there are variants to each temperament because of the mix or combination as every temperament has a combination of another. There are 12 blends from the major 4 temperaments. For instance, as a melancholic you could be a:
1. MelChlor - That's a MelancholyCholeric

2. MelSan - MelancholySanguine

3. MelPleg - MelancholyPlegmatic- These are the most reserved and introverted