what is a strong personality?

[pollyskettles]

If somebody said you had a strong personality what would you think they meant? Would you take it as a compliment or an insult?

To me a strong personality doesn't mean a particular type of person. It just means that whatever that person thinks, believes or feels is clear in how they present themselves to the world. They're not reserved or unsure about how they feel, they don't hide their opinions or reactions to others.

You know who they are, even if you don't like them.

I agree with the above poster but I think that most of the time the term would be used as an insult as it could mean that someone is unwilling to debate or discuss something or see it from another point of view

IMO it usually means someone who is very difficult to deal with with limited empathy.

It's usually when that person has a problem with you, for one reason or another.

Loud

For me, people described as 'strong personality' are often just opinionated...

Depends who's saying it and in what context.

As a euphemism it means someone blunt and loud and self assured boardering on arrogant probably.

However some situations and roles need someone with a strong personality, in which case it means someone resiliant with the self confidence required to handle situations which threaten their self image - who will not be reduced to a crumbling wreck by criticism or challenges.

I disagree that it's always an insult, though it certainly can be. When it is it's a passive-agressive inssult / back handed compliment, so anyone using it as an insult probably doesn't have an especially flawless personality themselves.

Someone very confident, loud... I think it's code for someone very opinionated and full of themselves.

Opinionated. Bossy. Self absorbed. Often a bully. Likes to think they are superior and the rules dont apply to them.

Usually someone trying to say the other person is strong willed, belligerent, opinionated and vocal with their feelings etc. Tends to be an attempt at saying this diplomatically I think. Is this said about you or someone else?

Is this said about you or someone else?

Ha, the million $$ question. It was said by a colleague about another colleague.

Its usually in response to someone being bullied or feeling undermined. The strong personality comment is a piss poor excuse for someone elses bad behaviour instead of people just saying they are a bully.

I actually think this phrase is often used misogonistically.

A woman who speaks up in meetings and is confident in her opinion might be called a strong personality as a back handed compliment (so an insult). A man doing the same thing might just be listened to.

To me it means someone that believes only themselves and proof and evidence means nothing. They will then go on and on about their rightness and anyone else is automatically wrong, including scientists or experts.
Basically, a dickhead.

@MonkeyToesOfDoom

Basically a dickhead

I'd take it to mean, opinionated and loudly so. Doesn't want to listen to anyone else.

Although to be fair, now I think, within my office there is a sub team and I’ve heard it said that there are ‘a lot of strong personalities’ - ie they will all speak their minds are clear on their opinions. I really rate them all, and almost all women, so @AllIMissNowIsTheSea may be exactly right, it’s a bit of a sexist trope against intelligent and confident women at times. Other times, just dickhead .

I've worked in an office environment with many people over 30 years, plenty of men with 'strong personalities' who are aka pain in the arse as well as women!

I've only ever heard it used as a euphemism for arrogant bullying loud mouths.

A woman who speaks up in meetings and is confident in her opinion might be called a strong personality as a back handed compliment (so an insult). A man doing the same thing might just be listened to.

Yes, I've never heard of a man being referred to as a "strong personality". It is aimed solely at women. It's usually a subtle way of saying the woman is opinionated and not scared to stand up for herself. In this context, it's seen as a negative.

It can also be used supposedly as a positive, also only for women, in the sort of sense of, "To do this role you need a strong personality." which is code for, "have to be okay with obnoxious people who will say or do things you find offensive and that you need to be able to just ride out."

It's one of those phrases that make my teeth itch.

Oh wait, I think I might have heard it referred to for a man once or twice - when defending a dickhead who is obnoxious and offensive but instead it is brushed under the carpet with, "he has a strong personality."

But I stand by it usually being reserved for women.

It’s just a polite way of saying “a bit of a twat”, isn’t it?

Same as “doesn’t suffer fools” or “speaks their mind”.

Oh, interesting! I only ever use it as a positive thing

To me it is about a person with very clear boundaries, who is not easily swayed by peer pressure

ie a good thing

Am I totally wrong?!

@Pikachubaby - do you use it to describe men and women?

It's a euphemism for arsehole.