5
votes

Introverts Are People Too, I Swear.

posted October 19, 2008 - 10:15am
Introverts Are People Too, I Swear.

Being an introvert can be a terrible thing. Being an introvert surrounded by a room full of extroverts can be an even worse thing. Don’t get me wrong; – it’s not the extroverts that are to blame but when they’re all trying to talk and be heard at the same time, it can get rather confusing for an introvert when it comes to jumping into a conversation.

Why is it difficult? Because we need to stop for a few seconds and think about what’s being said, we need to think about how we feel, what we think about said topic and if we have something to say, we will. However, we like to choose our words carefully and by the time this process has occurred, the conversation has moved onto something completely different. This can be rather discombobulating. It seems the only way to join in a conversation is to simply blurt out some spur-of-the-moment randomness. We can’t help but feel that a lot of the time, people tend to talk just to hear themselves. (Although in saying that, I’ve experienced many introverts who have just come out with a random comment or two, only for it to be well received and if humorous, had everybody laughing.)

Another tier of this problem is that introverts hate small talk. We’re not good at it. If you’re on comfortable talking terms with an introvert, ask them what they think of small talk (remember to give them time to think about it and respond) and chances are, they will tell you that they find it frivolous and difficult - unnecessary and arduous. To us, small talk is repetitive, dull and somewhat patronising. There are only so many observations you can make about the weather.

Due to this dislike of small talk, introverts can come off as arrogant, shy or just plain rude. This is not the case as most of the time we’re simply not wasting our words or thoughts on generic things that could go without saying. Flip the coin, however, and initiate a conversation about deeper things, things outside of the box and you’ve got us on a roll. Many introverts thrive in conversations that get the mind ticking, whether it be politics, sociology or anything that involves probing a person’s personality to see what they really think about the world or life in general. The more you reveal to us, the more we ourselves will open up. As well as this small blossoming, you will have gained a great listener; because we don’t speak for the sake of it, we tend to listen more lest we miss something important.

Extroverts usually find themselves charged by the atmosphere of a social gathering and all the noise that goes along with it. Introverts, however, can quickly become drained of physical or emotional energy and before too long we tend to withdraw to somewhere quieter just to gather our thoughts. Loud music, bright lights and close proximity of other people that we’re not yet acquainted with can take its toll on our nervous system – some would call an introvert ‘sensitive’ and I suppose to some degree that would be true although I prefer the term ‘laidback’. Many introverts prefer quieter settings with fewer people; this way, they can hear what is being said to them and they don’t have to raise their voices – introverts hate raising their voices.

One specific misconception that people have of introverts is that they’re not properly socially adjusted, that they’re kinda weird. This isn't the case and makes everyone involved that bit more uncomfortable. If you’re in a social situation that involves an introvert (don’t worry, you’ll be able to spot them; – they’re the quiet ones that don’t quite know where to rest their gaze) then take things easy and actively engage them in conversation. The thing with introverts is that if we don’t know you very well, we can find it difficult to bother you with ourselves; – you see, we know we’re difficult to engage, at least to begin with, but show an introvert that you’re open to things other than small talk and we’ll talk away like anyone else and chances are, we'll be just as passionate.

Information for introverts and extroverts alike can be found here and other places;

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0102/p09s02-coop.html

http://briankim.net/blog/2007/10/top-5-things-every-extrovert-should-know-about-introverts/



Comments

You're damned right I can't

You're damned right I can't follow it - like I said, your writing is incoherant. Yet neither should you care what I think - I'm some random person from the interwebs; if we all went around grieving about what is said by unknowns we'd all be in a nuthouse by now. I respect your wish for both of us to refrain from writing on each others' articles - I'll not bother ye by posting my opinions on yours. So I'll respond to your last post on your introvert article/diary here; - As soon as a Xomba moderator tells me to stop posting on an 'American-people-only' site, then I will, but I'm afraid that until then you'll still see the odd Xombyte or two from yours truly.

Oh is he a guy - No she is a girl

I just wrote it doesn't seem to be there and threw me over here that I wrote vicious on my own thing there also I meant me. It was meant about me being sarcastic. I'm American in America, it's an American co. here it seems to be. It want to stop it. Stop the end. But I will continue on it on my own. They've been bothering me about it and people just have to do things for themselves is what I'm saying. It's not personal. See you started personalizing it. I was speaking in a general way. That's why I put it up there too because you were doing that. Sometimes people get paranoid too when you're not even talking about them. I should know he's a guy being psychic. But I guess that is what you're coming off as it said on there rude. There are things I don't understand on other's posts not making sense and I don't try and write things. I don't really try and start things. I'm a Libra. With a girl writing it it seemed annoying of her expecting to be talked to as they do - like in the Rules book. I don't understand what the 039 is I guess my # on the other one he's referring to that and I thought to someone else like his name. People were arguing with him on Columbus Day etc then he goes thank you for comments. trying to be nice I guess. You don't understand what you start with some of the things. But people have a right to say things too. You just want people to say what you want. It doesn't turn out like that. People can see you sitting there too. If they want to go over they will. Cause usually I don't post on the Internet I don't care and I can't see them and I know they're a lot of kids on it or something wrong. It could be the opposite but it's like you in that way of not getting involved. I won't write anymore on yours or try not. It's like that other one I saw where he seemed to have wrong info on Thanksgiving. It gets to me and I'm partly native a way back but mostly white. If they get away with it it's all off. But other people were answering it. Ignoring it is actually worse. You can't follow it. Oooh

@XHellCatX--Padding the Response to CrystalZoom

XHellCatX's right about the friends`e has and the friends`e will continue to gain. When`e said, "sucks to be you," `e only meant that 'you seem to be in an unfortunate place right now.' ---Uncle MythMan & we Xombies Enlighten You on Money, Love, God etc. Turn Xombie & Help! & LinkBrander will help you 'feast on the Internet Brains'!

---when You Join Xomba, you can join this- and MythMan's other-hot discussions!

@CrystalZoom--That's a 2-Edge Sword on Public Journals

On the one hand, sometimes you WANT people to take things personal (as I might SEEM by putting the '@name' above). On the other hand, you sometimes want THE GENERAL PUBLIC to take things personal when you apply it to only one person ... I might talk about the managers of Kamp's Cafe/Deli when I really want *all* highly-prosperous money-masters to see the wisdom of investing in-reality rather than -promise. ---Uncle MythMan & we Xombies Enlighten You on Money, Love, God etc. Turn Xombie & Help! & LinkBrander will help you 'feast on the Internet Brains'!

---when You Join Xomba, you can join this- and MythMan's other-hot discussions!

I must say, this byte wasn't

I must say, this byte wasn't submitted as a personal attack on yourself; you should probably stop acting like it was. I have no idea if the 'she' you refer to is me or not - your writing is that incoherant and if you didn't want me responding to your messages, you shouldn't have left them; it's that easy. As for friends and family, I'm lucky enough to have a bunch of buddies and a great partner that know me and my little ways and who encourage me whenever I start to falter in a social situation...which is great, love those guys, couldn't do without them. All I can say is, sucks to be you.

Sorry I put this comment up here now I can't edit it out

I put it on my own as a journal now. I'm sorry I put it up. I know how some people take my writing the wrong way and I'm not supposed to complain about this at least to some. I can understand that in a way on here but not really. Now she's trying to act as if I was trying to talk to her which is what it comes out like. You see that's the trouble. I would like to take it off. Can I edit the comments anywhere I don't see it now. It was on edit before guess it's gone. That I hope it gets better for you is so standard of that type of office person too it's very annoying. I'm sorry I put it up. I don't think your attitude will get you many friends but many times the introverts band together. Why don't you talk to them or whoever it is who invited you?

Introverts & Extroverts

INTJ. One thing you might not know is that in the subconscious of every extrovert is an introvert wanting to get out and vice-versa, according to Jung. Interesing read.

I'm an Extrovert Trapped in an Introvert's Body

In philosophical discussion, I want to say exactly what's right. But that brings up a lot of 'wanting to say what's right' from people who know what's right because they memorized it. So when I bring up some truth I see, I am often 'interrupted' by a reasonless ramble (how does one totally outside reason expect me to respond?) ---Uncle MythMan & we Xombies Enlighten You on Money, Love, God etc. Turn Xombie & Help! & LinkBrander will help you 'feast on the Internet Brains'!

---when You Join Xomba, you can join this- and MythMan's other-hot discussions!

Wow, I'm sorry to hear all

Wow, I'm sorry to hear all that; I didn't quite understand it all but I hope things get better for you soon.

Introvert

Sometimes I can be taken for an introvert or an extrovert. I also sometimes in school would find it difficult but I was bored a lot and a terrible school. I found others hated the town also. But I always had friends. I was almost never by myself or so I could think straight. If I was by myself I would feel guilty and pushed to make friends by my mother so I resent it in a way. I really would have liked to sit by myself sometimes as I saw some others doing. It was impossible in the cafeteria alas to do so. At first I thought you were writing hating introverts then I see it is the other side. Others can take me for or know me for being extrovert which is really the case and only an open mouth more or less away. I have been pressured to talk to others and the girls especially. I don't know why I should have to talk to them. Why don't they talk to them themselves? Or some guy would like me always bothering and making noise. These people disturb my time all the time and I think they are really shy like that guy bothering behind my back all the time was. And I really hate them they bother me and act as if it's ok and I will love talking to them when I find out. That is not the case I hate them and resent them disturbing me. They can make friends themselves. Also I still have all these kids bothering me and I'm not their mommy. They drain my energy and are mostly depressed. It's also not my fault they don't have a date or so or are unable to communicate. I don't think it's my fault to have to draw these people out. They can just sit there. especially some already have their own friends and why should I exert myself and waste my time. It is a lot of social pressure and these people are not ones that anyone else wants to talk to. The Eurotrash especially others don't talk to etc. but they would bother me about them. I know that's not especially what you're saying. But if you see someone not talking to you it's not really my problem to talk to you as some others have said seeing me talk. Why don't they talk to them too? Half the time they are just people talking to me that are pests not socially important. Not that I am a snob but you see I'm not and then people talk to me. Oh this goes on I'm sorry but I want to explain it like in extra work we needed a partner and a guy would especially pick me. Then another girl came over and sat there. Get your own partner. We were supposed to be picking people. I have been lucky before and got partners while others were sitting there. Yes, but then sometimes I am also stuck with them and they leave the others alone. I would usually wait. They just sit there those girls though and won't even try and get their own partners. Also at the store L&T I was stuck walking around (or she had me on stock really all working but they weren't) I said to them why? The other said oh we put the shy people at the cash register. that's where people go is to the cash register to check out. It wasn't fair I couldn't chase around after sales in there. They weren't doing anything and I eventually had to quit. Shy people can annoy me as they hide and are afraid of things. I don't owe them something I don't think. You find also that many people like that just don't want to talk. And I have asked a girl along like that sometimes that doesn't go anywhere like they say and they complain all the time. It's not good and I haven't done that again. The popular girls are sometimes the nicest. I was lucky to have some good friends before and the Pres. of the Senior Class. then I had another friend when I changed schools and always someone. That is why when I don't have someone I don't really mind. Someone else wanted me to call her all the time about work. I liked her but it's just too invasive and bothering me. I have also found that on talking to a geek or someone people wouldn't talk to is they can be rude. I found that out before and at extra work as they can be nasty. Then afterwards on extra work when other people came over and he tried to talk to them they more or less told him to shut up it is sad. I do sometimes do that and talk to people I feel sorry for. He had been trying to act as if he had a girlfriend and had asked a dork girl out and been refused. He couldn't communicate to some people since he wasn't listening or getting social cues. I think he thought I liked him or something at first because I said something that is an annoying thing about those people. I should have just told him off but I told him people before had said I looked like Doris Day which is true. He had just wanted to try and make himself look important. Also I don't think going out with introvert guys is good. They are too withdrawn. I don't like them bothering me and I'm not attracted. They keep expecting something to happen that won't and are delusional. I notice also that type of people think no one will hear them girls also and talk so they can hear that is annoying. But on expecting me to talk to people I don't have to after work or audition as has come up bothering. I've auditioned before and those theaters don't pay no union card and people won't shut up. It's none of their biz. that's why to add this prob won't see it the French and all eng involved and all not allowed over. I'd been doing Joan before and they don't seem to know anyone in the office either. They have to leave me alone after work. It is not funny to bother me and is harassing me. They know that and stopped it. It made a lot of trouble for me. Some people just won't mind their own business trying to force me into talking to people and it won't happen. No one wanted to talk to the Salvation Army girls and that English girl was bothering. Now they are bothering and repeating chauvinist the geeks. I keep telling them that is old fashioned and they are not any help and they keep repeating it bothering with blacks so the excuse is I am prejudiced and need to talk to them. I don't want to and I need my own time after work. They are people from Ohio/Mich who won't mind their own business. They also don't bother them. I do not have to make friends with them after work. Whoever is bothering is not going to be talked to and those repeating chauvinist. they told me he was black before but I've seen others. They've been bothering for years and as if I'm supposed to be more social. I dont' want to talk to those people from work and make friends around and I'm not going to just for them. And sometimes if I'm talking to someone they'll come over and try to talk to. (Oh but I'm not supposed to interrupt.) I've been stopping and leaving and then the person goes back to their book. I'm sick of them bothering me. So this is a whole thing that I'm supposed to talk to them and I'm not going to. I hate cowardly guys people too hiding and talking behind my back. The French are never being talked to for going behind my back with those dork/slut girls that weren't friends of mine and midnight/2 in the morning.

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