Do youn describe yourself as introvert?

[InbetweenDreams]

Most of that is true for me.
Often, I wish I had something to talk about, because I actually like to talk (and listen).
But when just meeting someone new, I absolutely shut down, unless a common interest is obvious from the first second. And no, "being gay" is not enough a "common interest" for me.

That's me too...If I am on a date and they start talking about things I don't find interesting....like sports or fashion...those things come to mind. I mean there are many things I can be engaged with but some people are just dull. I think what really sparks my interest in someone is when they actually share some of the same interests that I do, not just striking up a conversation. Small talk is ok if it goes somewhere...but otherwise small talk is just small talk...and I'm guilty of it with the how are you stuff and good morning and good night. I really try to get the other person talking about something...

[Pcolakuntryboy]

Yes, I'm definately an introvert, and I agree with most of those except maybe #8 , I'm always observing other people to make sure they don't come bother me with their drama.

[Insertnamehere]

Well, I've always been called an introvert. So lets see:

Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk.
This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.

True for me.

Myth #2 – Introverts are shy.
Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a reason to interact. They don’t interact for the sake of interacting. If you want to talk to an Introvert, just start talking. Don’t worry about being polite.

Oh I am fairly shy.

Red:

This is true.

OMG I hate when people make unnecessary intros or dilate asking a favor forever. Just say whatever you fucking wanna say already.

Myth #3 – Introverts are rude.
Introverts often don’t see a reason for beating around the bush with social pleasantries. They want everyone to just be real and honest. Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.

All true.

I am quite rude when I want to be though.

Myth #4 – Introverts don’t like people.
On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have. They can count their close friends on one hand. If you are lucky enough for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal ally for life. Once you have earned their respect as being a person of substance, you’re in.

True.

Myth #5 – Introverts don’t like to go out in public.
Nonsense. Introverts just don’t like to go out in public FOR AS LONG. They also like to avoid the complications that are involved in public activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a result, don’t need to be there for long to “get it.” They’re ready to go home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely crucial for Introverts.


Very true. Being "out there" is exhausting.


Myth #6 – Introverts always want to be alone.
Introverts are perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts. They think a lot. They daydream. They like to have problems to work on, puzzles to solve. But they can also get incredibly lonely if they don’t have anyone to share their discoveries with. They crave an authentic and sincere connection with ONE PERSON at a time.

True, very true.

Myth #7 – Introverts are weird.
Introverts are often individualists. They don’t follow the crowd. They’d prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living. They think for themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm. They don’t make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.


I've been called "abnormal" more times than I can remember.

Myth #8 – Introverts are aloof nerds.
Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attention to their thoughts and emotions. It’s not that they are incapable of paying attention to what is going on around them, it’s just that their inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.

Not sure. I do spend quite a bit on my head but I am extremely aware of what's going on around me. I wouldn't have a job if I didn't. Or a degree for that matter.

Myth #9 – Introverts don’t know how to relax and have fun.
Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places. Introverts are not thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. If there is too much talking and noise going on, they shut down. Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Introverts and Extroverts have different dominant neuro-pathways. Just look it up.

Haven't measured a Kd for Dopamine-D1/D2 receptors in my own brain, but yes, this applies.

I am a ball of stress on a regular basis, I have to say. But yes, my idea of relaxation is vastly different than that of most people I know.

Myth #10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.
A world without Introverts would be a world with few scientists, musicians, artists, poets, filmmakers, doctors, mathematicians, writers, and philosophers. That being said, there are still plenty of techniques an Extrovert can learn in order to interact with Introverts. (Yes, I reversed these two terms on purpose to show you how biased our society is.) Introverts cannot “fix themselves” and deserve respect for their natural temperament and contributions to the human race. In fact, one study (Silverman, 1986) showed that the percentage of Introverts increases with IQ.

Not sure about all this, but if I could fix myself I would have done it a while ago.

[Emiliano]

My Myers-Briggs personality test results tell me I'm an introvert. But if thats really the case I think I'm a very extroverted introvert. However, if I'm not that, then I'm definitely a deeply introverted extrovert.

Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk.
This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.

Im not big on mindless small talk. But my talkativeness is not limited to my own interests. In social situations, I think I tend to be more of a question asker/listener than a talker.

Myth #2 – Introverts are shy.
Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a reason to interact. They don’t interact for the sake of interacting. If you want to talk to an Introvert, just start talking. Don’t worry about being polite.

That applies to me. Although I do respond better to polite people than rude people. Again, I think I'm really big on observation, which is why I may not initiate as many interactions. Unless I'm at work, and then I have to do a lot of interacting for the sake of interacting.

Myth #3 – Introverts are rude.
Introverts often don’t see a reason for beating around the bush with social pleasantries. They want everyone to just be real and honest. Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.

Not really. I think "social pleasantries" and things like that are pretty fascinating, especially how they change from one group to another. Ive sort of been trained to be hyper aware of those things. It is kind of exhausting to figure out how to fit in, but I like doing that - figuring out how best to communicate with different groups of people. I appreciate real / honest talk. But I dont think thats the way I'd like to see every, or even most, interactions.

Myth #4 – Introverts don’t like people.
On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have. They can count their close friends on one hand. If you are lucky enough for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal ally for life. Once you have earned their respect as being a person of substance, you’re in.

Yeah, thats pretty true of me.

Myth #5 – Introverts don’t like to go out in public.
Nonsense. Introverts just don’t like to go out in public FOR AS LONG. They also like to avoid the complications that are involved in public activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a result, don’t need to be there for long to “get it.” They’re ready to go home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely crucial for Introverts.

No, I really like being around people, and I do it for long periods at a time. I do need time to recharge for sure, and I value my alone time. But I do get a lot of energy and inspiration from being out and interacting with people.

Myth #6 – Introverts always want to be alone.
Introverts are perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts. They think a lot. They daydream. They like to have problems to work on, puzzles to solve. But they can also get incredibly lonely if they don’t have anyone to share their discoveries with. They crave an authentic and sincere connection with ONE PERSON at a time.

As a tour guide and an educator, I do like connecting with groups of people, but nothing beats a really solid one on one interaction, true.

Myth #7 – Introverts are weird.
Introverts are often individualists. They don’t follow the crowd. They’d prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living. They think for themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm. They don’t make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.

I dont really think this is true for me. First, it seems to imply something about extroverts (and a lot of introverts) that I don't think is true. And second, personally, its not my "novel way of living" that I want to be valued for - I'm not instantly endeared to people who maybe try a little too hard to be different, or really enjoy putting it out there how different they are from everyone else... And even though I view myself as an individual, I think a lot of my decisions are based on my role in a broader community rather than strictly for myself.

Myth #8 – Introverts are aloof nerds.
Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attention to their thoughts and emotions. It’s not that they are incapable of paying attention to what is going on around them, it’s just that their inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.

I am very focused on my thoughts and emotions, I am very self reflective. But I don't know if I'd go as far as to say that my inner world is more stimulating and rewarding to me than what goes on outside of my head. I really enjoy those outer experiences, and then I really enjoy processing it later in my mind.

Myth #9 – Introverts don’t know how to relax and have fun.
Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places. Introverts are not thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. If there is too much talking and noise going on, they shut down. Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Introverts and Extroverts have different dominant neuro-pathways. Just look it up.

I actually don't know how to relax and have fun. I'm only a thrill seeker in my fantasy life and choice of documentaries. But I don't have any sensory issues. I can tune out just about anything and still function.

Myth #10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.
A world without Introverts would be a world with few scientists, musicians, artists, poets, filmmakers, doctors, mathematicians, writers, and philosophers. That being said, there are still plenty of techniques an Extrovert can learn in order to interact with Introverts. (Yes, I reversed these two terms on purpose to show you how biased our society is.) Introverts cannot “fix themselves” and deserve respect for their natural temperament and contributions to the human race. In fact, one study (Silverman, 1986) showed that the percentage of Introverts increases with IQ.

Again, I'm not sure if this is fair to our extroverted friends. Though I do agree strongly with the sentiment that there is no one, right way to be. I always try to respect and value different perspectives and temperaments, and I support people learning how to interact and compromise with people unlike themselves. But this (and a little bit from all of these) seem to suggest that being introverted is a deeper, more intelligent, more desirable trait than extroversion. When in reality I don't think one is better than the other.

[LONDONER]

In that case Emiliano, you're not a true introvert. Not the way I see it anyway.

[Emiliano]

In that case Emiliano, you're not a true introvert. Not the way I see it anyway.

Yeah, Id agree. I think I'm somewhere in between the two, I have traits for both. I think about half of those things applied to me. Whenever I take personality tests it always puts me as an introvert though. And I think exercises like this are too fun to pass up.

[LONDONER]

Hi Emiliano. I have become more introvert as I have become older. It's hard to remember the me when I worked as a Tour Manager when I had to socialise 24/7 with may6be up to 59 people on a bus! I don't think that I could do that now because I am more than happy in my own company. These last few days of the festive season (thank heavens it end today in Spain) I have deliberately gone in to my hermit mode and have hardly spoken to anyone.

[MickTheMousie]

Oh well, guess i may be an introvert then? :3
I HATE small talk, and i to be honest then i dont really know how to do xD
And also i'll say that #7 is right, i am pretty weird

[InbetweenDreams]

Yes, I'm definately an introvert, and I agree with most of those except maybe #8 , I'm always observing other people to make sure they don't come bother me with their drama.

I have learned the art of picking out drama queens. Usually they're pretty obvious.

I once started talking to a guy, thought he was good looking well he wanted to talk on the phone and I'm sort of the same way, I like to hear people for some reason it makes it a bit easier than texting back and forth. Anyway, we started talking back and forth and immediately knew this guy is like so incompatible...like he's on the other side of the universe. Not knocking anyone for this, but he's on disability, never had a job type and thinks a guy is going to come to him and serve him like royalty. I mean he's on disability for (one of) the same reason my mom is, has epilepsy and can't drive or work. However, his attitude outward seemed to suggest that everyone get down and kneel before him. So after that 30 minute phone call, basically listening to him bitch and moan about how he runs the show, that was it. He's so damn negative too, always posts oh woes me memes on his Facebook and how everyone breaks his heart.... Give me a break.

Ought to get this guy black lipstick and a Good Charlotte CD...

Couldn't run away fast enough

[AlfredM]

Yeah, Id agree. I think I'm somewhere in between the two, I have traits for both. I think about half of those things applied to me. Whenever I take personality tests it always puts me as an introvert though. And I think exercises like this are too fun to pass up.

There's a term for that; ambivert. Basically someone who has some traits from both introvert and extrovert. Most of my friends who are like this tend to identify themselves as introvert, but in my eyes, I don't see how we're the same in that way; they like hanging out with lots of people, every single time. One of them likes to intrude a group of strangers just to take a groupie with them. Even after deducting my social anxiety, they still have some qualities of extrovert, and perhaps some of introverts (that they claimed), yet, they insist that they're introverts. It kinda annoys me though,lol. :mad: