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Are You An Introvert or an Extrovert?

What you an introvert, or an extrovert?

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    124
SandboxGeneral said:
I recall as a young kid, early teenager, that I did not like being around all of my friends at the same time. I had compartmentalized my friends into smaller groups and would go hang out with each group separately. The groups were 4 people or less usually. I remember one time that all of my friends were together at one place for a party or something. Perhaps there were 10 of us altogether; I don't fully remember everyone there anymore. But I do remember that I wasn't very happy and tended to retreat a little bit during that day because I just had too much to deal with, with everyone there.

That's one of my earliest memories that I can pin down that relates to introversion. It still holds true today that I don't like being around all of my friends, or co-workers all at once. I prefer small groups over large ones every time.
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So even then, you were making brigades, battalions, companies, platoons, squads, etc.
 
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Another introvert here joins the party! 🙂.

I suspect that some of my introvertedness stems from being an only child; I suspect that of my parents my father was definitely an introvert while my mother was more in the middle between introversion and extroversion. While both parents engaged in various activities with friends (playing bridge or playing golf) and attended parties, I don't recall our family having too many large gatherings in our home, just the occasional dinner party with a few friends. While I'm fine in groups, I much prefer small groups or one-on-one interactions and I definitely am perfectly content with my own company as well. Having lived alone for many years now, I can't imagine living with even one other person again!
 
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Clix Pix said:
Another introvert here joins the party! 🙂.

I suspect that some of my introvertedness stems from being an only child; I suspect that of my parents my father was definitely an introvert while my mother was more in the middle between introversion and extroversion. While both parents engaged in various activities with friends (playing bridge or playing golf) and attended parties, I don't recall our family having too many large gatherings in our home, just the occasional dinner party with a few friends. While I'm fine in groups, I much prefer small groups or one-on-one interactions and I definitely am perfectly content with my own company as well. Having lived alone for many years now, I can't imagine living with even one other person again!
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Yes, that has a lot of truth.

When you are younger, you will make a lot of compromises (personally, perhaps professionally) for others, even if introverted, compromises that ultimately, you come to the realisation that they may make you uncomfortable as they go against your very own deepest nature.

These days, I am better at just saying "no", and I do harbour doubts as to whether I would be able to, or wish to, live with somebody else; the truth is, I'm used to my own company, and quite like it.
 
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jeyf said:
most cases it is bad to fit your self into a stereotype. bet its done a lot tho.
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Actually, I don't think anyone who has posted in this thread to date is "fitting themselves into a stereotype".

Rather, they are describing what they are using known terminology.

What I find fascinating is how some societies and cultures (and work cultures) have come to value certain specific traits over others; certainly, I suspect that some introverts may find the cultural approval of extraversion you find in the US somewhat hard to deal with at times.

Other cultures value reserve, restraint and privacy somewhat more.
 
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for every extrovert there has to be someone wanting to react to them. reserve and restraint goes both ways.
 
Eh, it varies by situation. I work in a customer-facing environment so I have to be more extroverted at work, but ideally I would have little to no contact with people outside of my wife and kids.
 
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I am undeniably an introvert. I am also shy (which is not the same thing). Being an introvert for me means that I value time to myself more than my extroverted friends do. I can spend a lot of time reading, listening to music, or (more rarely) writing. It does not mean that I cannot socialize. I enjoy spending time with my friends and going to parties, just not too much of it. I also work a job that is essentially customer service, and I must answer the phone. (My boss was initially concerned that I wouldn't be good at this work because I'm too quiet, but I have no problem stepping it up when I have to).
 
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Scepticalscribe said:
I would describe myself as an introvert who can appear (such as when I am giving a presentation) on occasion to be somewhat extroverted.
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Me too -- This will be challenged tonight at a holiday party actually..

I basically hate this time of year as I don't really like having to do holiday parties and all the forced fake BS "socializing".

I'm actually "great at it" - but hate it - and it wears me out completely.
 
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turbineseaplane said:
Me too -- This will be challenged tonight at a holiday party actually..

I basically hate this time of year as I don't really like having to do holiday parties and all the forced fake BS "socializing".

I'm actually "great at it" - but hate it - and it wears me out completely.
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Yes, it can be absolutely exhausting, can't it?
 
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turbineseaplane said:
No question...and its' really hard to explain to people who don't suffer from it.

So many just "don't get it" and think you're being anti-social or "no fun" and they just don't realize that - no - I'm just literally mentally gassed after X amount of time.
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Exactly.

And exchanging banalities or engaging in small talk - yes, I can do it - I have held positions in international organisations where this was considered necessary and normal - but, it is tiring (actually, sometimes, exhausting) and I will admit to a dislike of it.

As for being "no fun", I can live with that; I suppose I could be considered to be fun when I am in the company of interesting, witty, decent people whose company I enjoy.
 
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