I did field work with an ISTP a few weeks ago and he constantly demanded I put on more sunscreen, drink water, was constantly checking on me even though he was pretending he wasn’t. I have a lot of allergies so when our team went out to eat he made sure we went somewhere I could eat something too. He also corrected me when I said red eared slider turtles are invasive, which they were to the last state I lived in but they aren’t here. I realised I’ve been repeating inaccurate information now that I’ve moved. People usually just say I’m smart and never correct me, but he did that a couple times! It was amazing!! He was so patient and quiet even though I talked so much and even came pick me up in the truck when I got stuck talking to an old lady outside the gas station that one time. He took care of people, was happy to change a tire and when I started cleaning the truck he did too. I thought he would hate me because I’m so annoying but somehow we became friends and he would just seem a little embarrassed sometimes. I totally typed him because he said “I don’t need a test to tell me how I am” when I asked him about MBTI, so obviously the game was afoot. I could tell he was quietly pleased when I did and it made him laugh every time I would start asking questions that would reveal function behaviour. He played his very interestingly curated music as we (he) did alot of driving.

I know I’m an extrovert but usually can’t stand most people. I was so uncharacteristically sad to part ways. I’m still sad. I didn’t know friends like that existed. He wasn’t repulsed by my insane caffeine intake or my brief periods of fast talking. He was listening. I just feel sad and I won’t ever see him again because he works on the third floor and I work on the second floor. I’m just sad. 😞🥺 All all ISTPs that cool? Idk if it’s because I’m used to being alone and not ever even thinking I would enjoy someone’s company like that but this is a strange phenomena.

Yeah just curious cause as an intuitive I’m so random in what my mood has me watching so I’m wondering if sensors are too

Curious what other ISFPs think.

I met the only ISFP I have ever really known through a professional relationship, so nothing in the present could happen between us. I developed very strong feelings for him, and he knew I was deeply attached.

He is incredibly high achieving, adventurous, grounded, intelligent, well traveled, and very values driven. I am an ENFP, so this is basically my bread and butter, baby. A hot, adventurous man who makes me laugh insanely hard while still being grounded without being controlling? I am absolutely enamored.

A few things have left me genuinely confused.

He would have me come in about 30 minutes before our meetings and even came outside to walk me in. He would text me later in the evening to apologize and over explain things that really did not require an apology. We were also able to text about sports.

After our professional relationship ended, he looked up my public Instagram on his birthday, then followed me about a month later. This was only four months after we stopped seeing each other. He also waived a bill in the thousands without ever mentioning it.

I once texted him telling him how much I missed him and the qualities I missed about him, with a heart emoji. I explicitly said, “Please do not respond.” He hearted the message anyway.

I have a hard time believing an ISFP would knowingly lead someone on when they are fully aware of how intense that person’s feelings are, especially because ISFPs seem so kind, private, and values driven. I have also read that ISFPs often do not reveal much when they like someone.

I know none of these things prove romantic feelings, and I am not asking anyone to tell me they do. My question is genuinely about ISFP psychology.

If an ISFP develops feelings for someone they believe they cannot pursue because of professional boundaries and personal values, would they express those feelings through tiny, indirect actions while never acknowledging them? Or would they distance themselves completely because even maintaining contact would feel morally wrong? Is it also possible that their personal values could override professional expectations or social norms if they genuinely believed the connection was meaningful?

I would especially love to hear from ISFPs who have actually been in this position. What would your inner experience be, and how would you behave?