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Airplane Talk

allenchildress
Aug 29
4 min read

Updated: Oct 28

Conversations I love on flights and in elevators.


If we just met on a plane, in an elevator, or out somewhere, this is the page I wanted you to find: the books and sites I recommend, a quick 4-question MBTI, and my 3 Questions. Answer the questions first, then scroll for the answers.


Recommended Books



I also recommend The Gift of Fear for seeing the patterns of con men and how to avoid them.


Websites


  • Color Quiz

  • MOSAIC Method — a free, confidential online risk assessment from Gavin de Becker & Associates for people affected by domestic abuse. It walks through situation factors and compares them to known cases to help gauge danger. If someone is in immediate danger, contact police first.



Short MBTI


Four questions. Go with your first instinct.


  1. When your batteries are drained, would you rather recharge them by being with people, or being on your own?

  2. Is it worse to be stuck in a rut, or to have your head in the clouds?

  3. Which is worse: To be merciless or unjust?

  4. Would you rather make a decision now and change it later, or wait until all the facts are in before making a decision?


Answer first, then tap to see the answer key.


#1 With people = Extrovert (E). On your own = Introvert (I).

#2 Worse to be stuck in a rut = iNtuitive (N). Worse to have your head in the clouds = Sensible (S).

#3 Worse to be merciless = Feeling (F). Worse to be unjust = Thinking (T).

#4 Make a decision now = Judging (J). Make a decision later = Perceiving (P).


On the road of life


On the road of life there are no shortcuts (SJ thinking) ... For the non-adept (NT thinking)


3 Questions


Please be as descriptive as you can:


  • 1a) If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

  • 1b) If you couldn't be that animal, what would your second choice be and why?

  • 2) What is your favorite color, and how would you feel in a solid room of that color?

  • 3) What is your favorite drink, and why?


Answer first, then scroll (and tap) for the 3 Answers.




3 Answers


The first animal you choose represents your goals and what you are trying to accomplish. It shows how you see yourself.

Your second animal is what you are willing to accept about yourself and how others see you.

Your favorite color, and how you feel in a solid room of that color, describes how you view death.

Your favorite drink and how you describe it, is how you would describe making love.

The Milk story

My answers have changed over the years, but when I was first given this test by a friend who attended both high school and college with me, we were in the Student Center with 5 of my fraternity brothers around. She asked each of the questions and then explained the answers. At the time I answered "Milk" because it was a cure all for me. If I was parched it quenched my thirst. If I was hungry it satisfied me. If I was feeling down it made me feel better.

After we were done another friend walked up and she asked him the same 3 questions. He also said "Milk" so we were all interested that two people had the same answer, and what he would say. She asked him "why?" and he said "Well, I don't have it very often... but when I do, I just can't get enough!" and the whole table just fell out laughing! He was like "What did I say?!" which made us laugh that much harder. Then she explained it to him and he joined in.



Touching Your Nose


If someone touches their nose for just a second without scratching, it is because there is a something that has just been said, either by them or someone else that is making them feel uncomfortable. It is usually a truth.


Not everyone who touches their nose is lying, but everyone who is lying will touch their nose (or maybe their ear).


And once you know this you will catch yourself touching your nose... and if you look back over the last 10 seconds you will see something that made you feel uncomfortable.


After a while it would just make me laugh when I would catch myself. But that has been an invaluable insight on what happens around me and within me.



Know Your Life Purpose


Watch the video on YouTube. Then know:


  1. Who you are — Allen

  2. What you do (what are you eminently qualified to teach) — Teach and apply MBTI and related theories

  3. Who you do it for — My friends and people who pass by

  4. What those people want or need (this becomes the elevator pitch) — They gain an understanding of self

  5. How they change as a result — Enlightenment about their lives

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