Generally, they have a form of social confidence, despite their disordered fragility. Their right-brained dominance makes them consistently scattered, which justifies the term "instability". Sometimes I'm the emotionally unstable one, and voila, an INFP comes to the rescue.
I certainly have this issue, where my intuition is constantly making connections and thus makes telling a story or recounting an experience in conversation very difficult. I see things from a very "big picture" perspective, and how all the little details affect that whole; so for instance, telling someone how I feel becomes difficult because X was caused by Y, but Y is this way because of something that Z did which was influenced by A and B, and you need to understand Z so that Y and X make sense and... you get the idea (hopefully, and yes I know it is frustrating). This is a result of Ne.
It is also true that, while INFJs may see INFPs as "weak", they see the same in us, because we are complements. The strength of seeing things in an orderly, categorized, linear fashion can also be a weakness when overcomplicating via considering too many possible scenarios in which our Fe receptors are threatened. In fact, the strength of INFPs is their real-time, immediate ability to see actions directly (with one snapshot) without examining every possible motive categorically; thus, they know how to react confidently to people instantly.
I wonder whether INFPs are emotionally sensitive; i.e., easily hurt. It doesn't seem to be the case, since Fi is internal, not externally driven.
I don't quite follow what is being said here, but my interpretation is thus: Fi users see Fe users as "weak" because Fe will cater to the harmony of a group and thus seems less "authentic" and more "following the crowd" - something INFPs generally avoid because a sense of individual identity and authenticity is important to us.
Overcomplicating things by considering too many possible scenarios and outcomes is a product of intuition (Ne), and when combined with feeling (Fi) we immediately jump to the conclusions that resonate with our mood and use logical Si to focus on details/facts/past experience to support them. For example, the scenario of texting someone of romantic interest could turn out as such:
"I really like Person, and often daydream about what our lives could be like together."
*sends text message; long delay in response* "Person hasn't texted me back in quite some time, I hope what I said didn't turn them off of me. I mean, perhaps I came off as too [adjective] or [adjective] in my message. Damnit, this is just like [past relationship] all over again when [situation] happened!"
*feelings of neuroticism arise, mood subsequently affected until Person replies and clarity is given (response interpreted as positive/negative)*
In this scenario, you have Ne and Fi influencing each other greatly, with Si trying to predict outcomes based on what's happened before. This is the best way I can describe it based on my limited knowledge of cognitive functions.
I think INFPs are only emotionally sensitive when anything about their personality or expression is attacked, such as the way we dress or something we created is hated/ridiculed, etc. More matured INFPs should be able to handle any criticism constructively and play off any ridicule with self-assured confidence,
and know the difference between the two.
I have a mixed reaction to INFPs. Sometimes, emotional display seems too contrived and manipulative/manipulated. Their hiding of their "true" emotions, at times, also creates immediate suspicion -- and it becomes obvious that there is an agenda (a "project", if you will) that I can't endorse. (I am speaking of a couple individuals of course - not necessarily all of them.) They can smile or display a flat smile, but this betrays the presence of ulterior motive even more. Oftentimes, the motive may be benevolent, but - again - it's not an agenda that I can endorse.
I am interested in examples of these individuals' actions. I hide my true emotions and save them for people I am close to and care about, because I trust them and they understand and care about me. Also certain interactions and situations require an emotional detachment, such as collaboration at work.
I should add to this I think. The INFP's that I know pretty much don't have any fear about talking about how they feel. They make themselves vulnerable to other people by default by wearing their hearts on their sleeves, in their pockets, on their pants and under their shoes (and end up stepping all over their own hearts). They're pretty brave with their emotions and I think I've envied that since I am so very guarded with mine.
Again, I personally only open up to those I feel comfortable around, but my
body language betrays me all the time- especially my facial expressions. I do tend to step on my own heart all the time because of those Fi-Ne-Si interactions like the one mentioned above, when reality doesn't align with the ideal (a bad habit, yes I know).
INFP's, while flitting from one lifestyle or perspective to the next aren't afraid to try new things, aren't afraid to explore the entirety of who they are and they don't make any apologies for it either. I think that this is where the perception of INFP's being social butterflies comes from. They do get anxious, they do get shy and reserved, they are introverted, but they also come up with things they want to do and try and they go do it despite that. This is a quality I like about INFP's very much.
This is very much where I am in my life right now.
INFP's aren't really selfish, though. They can't help themselves and I don't think most of them are even conscious of how they come off or how they operate in interpersonal relationships. The ones I know get very needy, very clingy and very paranoid about their friendships and romantic interests. I also find that they fall hard and they fall fast even if the person they're dealing with could NOT be less compatible with them lol. I think because INFP's are such dreamers that they often fail to keep their reality in check and see what's really going on. Sometimes they don't want to see it, either.
Hah, yaaaa......
What I will say though is that INFP's are very loyal and trustworthy people (at least the couple that I know). I've never really felt hesitant to share sensitive information and with the exception of one small incident I've never had any instances where I've been betrayed by an INFP. I don't know if that's an Fi thing, or what. I have heard of a few instances of INFP's spilling secrets though which makes me wary of those particular individuals but so far so good for me.
As frustrating as other people can be to me sometimes, deep down I really like y'all and care about you a lot. But I speak for myself.
Here's a piece of advice though: When you're dealing with INFP's and you have some criticism to deliver try to do it with a series of questions:
How do you feel about that?
Why do you think that is?
Do you think it could be different?
What do you think needs to change?
How would you like this situation to be?
How do you think you're handling it?
What do you want out of this?
That kind of thing. Works like a fucking charm with ANYONE, not just INFP's. That way you don't really have to give advice, you don't have to really indulge them. You ask them a series of simple, open ended questions that forces them to regard their own feelings and behaviour and also forces them into getting back in touch with reality and allows them to self reflect without YOU placing any judgement on them or trying to tell them they should be something they're not. The INFP's deal with criticism pretty well as far as I know if you know how to bring them some self awareness and they realize that things could be different for them.
You absolutely do not have to walk on eggshells around them. If you do, that perpetuates whatever behaviour you find unfavourable. They can handle things better than you think, even if sometimes they seem like emotional wrecks.
Nailed it! I am quite capable of and frequently sort out my thoughts and emotions on my own, usually what I do when I am in "introvert recharge mode." I very much welcome constructive criticism because I am on my own constant mission for growth and self-improvement, but
when someone imposes their own beliefs as advice, that's when things get messy.
I think some INFPs may seem fragile but they can take crap better than most in some things. What many don't realize is that although the INFP is sensitive, they are usually sensitive about their own issues, but not necessarily about someone else's issues. Actually, they can handle a ton of crap really well. Yes, they can be defensive when given advice or criticism but the more mature and self aware INFPs can be great with advice and support. They can be great listeners and very empathetic if they develop those traits. And
when an INFP brings up a personal experience in the middle of someone describing a problem, it is not always because they are trying to steal the attention away, in some cases, it's because they want to show the person that they can relate using a personal experience of their own. It's their way of saying, "you're not alone, I've been through this or something similar." So, don't always take the INFPs tendency to bring their own stuff too personally.
One of the biggest things is that people misunderstand the INFPs motives. INFPs are remarkably honest and direct.
If you want to know how they feel, they will tell you but usually when it's one-on-one and when they know you pretty well. INFPs are tentative and analytical thinkers. They usually have a reason why they say or do something, even if it seems random or redundant. And it's not always or usually as emotional a reason as many assume or think. 
Actually, much of their reasoning is quite logical and is easily mistaken for something personal.
YES. ALL OF MY YES.
I can be pretty sociable, not going to lie. I enjoy expressing my ideas and my point of view. I am scattered and can be seem as random. My mind is restless and is constantly having thoughts on the world around me. I generally have a period of extremely high social activity, where I fully express all that I have to offer..then however, I burn out. And go back to my introverted self over an extensive period of time. So "no" we are not always in "social butterfly" mode, though we can at times mask it.
I can very much relate, in fact I burned myself out this past Summer by trying to be too outgoing and not giving enough personal recharge time.
