When asked my personality style or preferences, I have always explained myself as a GFNJ — that really explains everything, or at least it should. But people often don’t know what I mean. It is about birthplace and culture.
So, I asked Perplexity to give me some ideas around this GFNJ-thing and it responded like I thought it would:
There is no widely recognized “GFNJ” personality style in established personality frameworks such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or the 16 Personalities model. The standard MBTI personality codes consist of four letters, each representing a preference in four dichotomies:
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Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I)
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Sensing (S) or Intuition (N)
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Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)
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Judging (J) or Perceiving (P)
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A “GFNJ” type does not fit this format. However, it is possible that “GFNJ” is a typographical error or a misreading of “ENFJ,” which is a well-established MBTI personality type.
Scott Simmerman, Ph.D. Clearly a GFNJ
ENFJ Personality Style – Great, but not ME!
If you meant ENFJ, here’s a summary of that personality style:
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Extraverted (E): Energized by social interaction and external stimuli.
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Intuitive (N): Focused on ideas, patterns, and possibilities rather than concrete details.
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Feeling (F): Makes decisions based on values and the impact on others.
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Judging (J): Prefers structure, planning, and organization over spontaneity.
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ENFJs, often called “Protagonists” or “Teachers,” are known for their warmth, empathy, and strong leadership abilities. They are highly attuned to the emotions and needs of others, driven to help people grow, and skilled at building consensus and inspiring teams. ENFJs are typically charismatic, persuasive, and passionate about causes that improve the lives of others. They thrive in environments that promote collaboration and harmony and are often found in roles such as teaching, counseling, and organizational leadership.
Based on current knowledge and the search results, “GFNJ” does not correspond to a recognized personality style in mainstream typologies.
Ah, but it does. I just needed to ask this to Perplexity in a slightly different way:
GFNJ = Guy from New Jersey. Please explain
“GFNJ” as “Guy from New Jersey” is a tongue-in-cheek shorthand that captures the colorful, stereotype-laden persona often associated with men hailing from the Garden State. While not an official MBTI label, the “GFNJ” archetype draws on a mix of cultural references, local pride, and media-fueled stereotypes.
Note: I am from The Garden State part of The Garden State, where it is very agriculrurtal in nature and not at all what people think of when they stereotype New Jersey. My high school was known as The Poultry Clan because of all the chicken farms int he ares. Many canning companies were headquartered there, like Progresso and Campbell Foods and others.
Common Traits and Stereotypes of a “Guy from New Jersey”
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Attitude and Bluntness: A Jersey guy is often described as having a strong attitude-direct, assertive, and sometimes perceived as abrasive or loud by outsiders. This isn’t necessarily rudeness; it’s a cultural norm of being straightforward and unfiltered, which can come across as bluntness or even humorously aggressive.
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Distinctive Speech: While not everyone has a “Jersey accent,” there are recognizable speech patterns influenced by proximity to New York and Philadelphia. Some Jersey guys are known for colorful language, especially the frequent use of expletives as part of everyday conversation. (I am from the ROCKY language style of being, “from around Philadelphia.” I mean things like, “Yo, Adrienne” — and I of course named my poodle Adrienne. Yo!)
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Pride and Resilience: There’s a deep sense of Jersey pride, often rooted in overcoming negative stereotypes from neighboring states. Many GFNJs are proud of their roots and quick to defend their home against criticism, displaying resilience and a chip-on-the-shoulder mentality. Bruce Springsteen should come to mind, along with Jon Bon Jovi.
Abbott and Costello and Chelsey Handler and Bill Maher are also “Jersey Boys.”
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Pop Culture Influence: Thanks to reality TV shows like The Sopranos, the GFNJ stereotype includes images of big personalities, bold fashion choices, and a penchant for fist-pumping and high-energy socializing along with expressive Italian-style gestures. While exaggerated, these depictions have shaped the public imagination.
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Driving Habits: Jersey guys are often stereotyped as aggressive drivers, navigating the state’s dense traffic and infamous jug handles with a mix of impatience and skill. My first car was a 1965 GTO and I burned through three sets of tires and a transmission in the 3 years I had it.
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Local Customs: Unique behaviors, like never pumping your own gas (it’s illegal in NJ), debating the merits of pork roll versus Taylor ham, and having strong opinions about Bruce, are all part of the GFNJ identity.
What the Stereotype Misses
While these traits are played up for laughs or drama, they don’t capture the full diversity of men from New Jersey. The state is home to a wide range of backgrounds, personalities, and lifestyles.
“We just speak our minds and move fast, so you better keep up.”
A Perplexity Summary:
A “GFNJ” is a playful, sometimes self-deprecating way to refer to a man from New Jersey, conjuring up images of attitude, pride, and a unique blend of urban edge and local tradition. While the stereotype can be fun, it’s only one facet of what it means to be from the Garden State.
There are a few of us GFNJs living here in Cuenca, Ecuador after my 40 years in South Carolina. You can’t go home again, And I don’t want to!
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For the FUN of It!
Dr. Scott Simmerman is a designer of team building games and organization improvement tools.
Managing Partner of Performance Management Company since 1984, he is an experienced presenter and consultant who is trying to retire!! He now lives in Cuenca, Ecuador.
You can reach Scott at scott@squarewheels.com
Learn more about Scott at his LinkedIn site.
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