Sensory vs. Intuitive Travel Types: Which one are you?
Sensing and intuitive preferences are two of the four characteristics that make up Myers-Briggs® types. I will be exploring the four preferences ( introversion/extroversion; sensing/intuitive; feeling/thinking; perceiving/judging) in further detail to help travelers understand how typing can positively and negatively affect travel.
Sensory vs. Intuitive Travel Types
What’s the difference?
A sensor prefers to have specific answers to questions and represent about 70% of the population, while intuitive types are nebulous and makeup 30% of the population according to the Journal of Psychological Type.
Let’s look at these types in action. Let’s say you want to meet for a tour of the Eifel Tower, in Paris. The sensor will respond with a precise answer; “I will meet you at 1:45 P.M. at the ticket booth, third window left of center. The intuitive would most likely respond with, “I’ll see you around 10ish.” This intuitive type is not prone to give many details as they find them boring.
In this one example can you see how one type; the sensor traveling with an intuitive traveler could become irritated.
Knowing Sensory vs. Intuitive Travel Types to Create Harmony
What if you, the sensor traveler, knew you were traveling with an intuitive traveler and understood they believed that time is relative, and punctuality is irrelevant. Would you then be able to approach the situation differently? Let’s try arranging a time to meet using this approach; “We agreed to meet at the Eifel Tower for the afternoon tour at 1:45 PM. I know you aren’t a stickler for punctuality, but this time I would appreciate you showing up on time as the tour starts promptly. If we are late, we won’t be able to join the group and be part of the scheduled tour. I want to share this experience with you, so it’s important to me that you arrive on time.
Now isn’t that better than getting all pissy? Or fuming that once again you missed a tour, train, plane whatever because you thought your partner didn’t care about you! Not the case is it, and how refreshing to better understand the one you love.
Intuitive vs Sensory Travel Types?
Role reversal.
Here’s another situation that could cause vacation friction. The intuitive traveler typically seeks unconventional, new, and unusual experiences while the sensing traveler prefers the tried-and-true, aka the customary travel experience.
Well, then who get’s to decide on where to travel? Can you see how this could cause an argument?
Compromise is the Key to Deciding on the Perfect Vacation
Well, dah! Everybody knows compromise is key in a lot of situations, but sometimes one feels they are compromising without feeling fully understood which leads you to feel taken advantage of.
For example, the intuitive traveler wants to go to the beach and is planning on visiting a new destination. They probably won’t pick Daytona Beach, Florida it’s too common. They opt instead for an escape to Oahu Beach, Hawaii. Ok, so the intuitive traveler is happy, but what about the sensory traveler? The sensory traveler won’t be keen to pack their sunscreen for Oahu Beach.
What to do? Why not opt for a few days at Oahu Beach and then opt for a more traditional Hawaiian beach, maybe Waikiki Beach. This option could be the perfect trade-off. Yes, you’d be going from one side of the island to the other, but wouldn’t that be fun. Think of it like taking two vacations in one!
Hey, I didn’t say compromise would be easy. But it sure beats being miserable and complaining to your travel mate the entire time you are on vacation.
Understanding Sensitive vs. Intuitive Travel Types
What matters more? Being happy to the detriment of your travel mate, or both of you being happy; sharing the things, you love and allowing your partner to share the things they love. It’s a win-win, and more importantly, the vacation becomes a memorable experience
I am just getting started on discussing how the four Myers-Briggs® preferences ( introversion/extroversion; sensing/intuitive; feeling/thinking; perceiving/judging) help with information gathering and decision making.
Stay tuned as I will be discussing this and then get into the 16 travel types that I’ve developed. A little behind on getting all of this done due to a move. I know I’m whining!
Thanks for visiting my blog and do share if you found it to be interesting. My goal is to revolutionize the way we travel. If you would like an in-depth look I was interviewed on the topic of What’s Your Travel Personality, it is being aired on Speaking of Travel, found on the iHeart Radio website, with host Marilyn Ball. Click here for the full interview
Travel Often. Travel Safe. TravelType.
