Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

[DVCLiz]

I've always been very personable and outgoing, as well as a big talker (to anyone, about anything!!) so I assumed I was an extrovert, but I came back as introvert on the Myers-Briggs.

It took me a little while to understand that the MB definition of introvert and extrovert is a little different than simple personality type. The introvert/extrovert question has to do with how you renew your energy. If you thrive on being around people and feel energized after being in a group, you're an extrovert. On the other hand, if you need to recharge by yourself, and you feel refreshed after spending some time alone, you're an introvert.

By those standards, I could totally relate to being an introvert. I need HUGE amounts of time alone - really enjoy it and don't like to be interrupted if I've planned a "down" day. But if you did stop by, I'd be pleasant and fun to be with!!

 

[cteddiesgirl]

Depends on whom I'm with.

I used to be a huge extrovert. Would walk up to the first person I see (stranger or not) and tell them my life story. My mom and dad would see this and pull me aside and tell me that I shouldn't talk to strangers and what could happen if I did. They'd ask "do you understand". I'd say yes and they'd send me on my way. The next time they'd see me, I'd be talking to another stranger!

But, after my parents and I moved before I started High School, I became quite shy and introverted.

I am still introverted around people I don't know. But can be quite outgoing when around people I know really well. Especially when I'm in a silly mood!

 

[mking624]

It depends on the situation. Online or with people I know really well, I'm an extrovert. But around people I've just met or I don't know very well, I'm more of an introvert.

 

[barkley]

i'm a 'closet introvert'. i have/can do public speaking, no problem getting on stage and performing, and lots of people think i'm incredibly outgoing and social because i tend to be the person that gets people of all different types together and interacting (i had a former supervisor tell me that i had a 'gift' for being able to interact with different types of people and bring them together). what people don't realize is, with public speaking or performing-i'm reciting from memory (and i learn my character/subject in depth so if i have to 'ad-lib' i can do it based on what the subject dictates-not my own personal feelings/opinions) and as far as social interactions- i do this as a coping mechanism-you tend not to be the center of attention or called upon to have indepth conversations if you are constantly moving from group to group.

i get physicaly ill at the idea of small gatherings where i may have to speak personaly at length with someone-and that heightened when i experienced aphasia during my strokes (you know what you want to say but it does'nt come out right)-so i feel tounge tied and would prefer to just avoid it. i am much more at ease talking with someone by phone-and i tend to do most of my visiting that way. it's not that i feel insecure or unworthy of voicing my thoughts or opinions, it's just the physical mechanics of standing and engaging in a conversation with someone i am not totaly comfortable with (and this includes some close members of my family-i can talk for hours with them on the phone but dread face to face get togethers).

 

[luvmydogs]

People say I am an extrovert. I was more so when I was younger. I have my introvert moments now, maybe even more then my extro. Maybe it is just DH, he is an introvert at heart, but has warn off on me (and me on him, making him much less introverted now.)

He still hates making phone calls, I have to make them.

Still it can't be all bad, today is our 14th wedding anniversary.

(BTW, Hi to some friends I haven't seen in a while. You know who you are. )

Just hoping ya meant me, too!

 

[DisneyPhD]

PhD can tell everyone how very quiet I am... Hmmm, am I an introvert or an extrovert?

I did make you call me--notice that? But once we met I didn't shut up!

I was thinking about that while I was reading. Of course my radar was good and I called you while you were on space montain!

Yes, LUV, I ment you too (and others also! )

My DH hates crowds too, but he LOVES WDW. Go figure. He actually had an panic attack while at PI many many years ago (before we had kids) It was St. Patricks day (what were we thinking) and wall to wall drunks. This is his one and only panic attack. We haven't been back to PI for a while. When we do (with out the kids) we just do the comedy club and AC. (we can't stand smoke either.)

 

[Michie]

To all of you that are "shy" quiet" and don't like interacting with stangers, is that something you wish you could change?

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I'm strange! At heart I am an introvert, but I can be an extrovert when need be.

 

[ead79]

I'm extroverted, but not hugely so. I typically feel reasonably comfortable in crowds, but I don't like "networking" for my company. I like to strike up conversations, but I don't like to when they are business-related. I don't like to "sell" my company--I never feel very authentic when I'm doing it for some reason.

When it's not work related, I'm more extroverted. If I'm comfortable with the people, then it's easy too.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

To all of you that are "shy" quiet" and don't like interacting with stangers, is that something you wish you could change?

Yes! And I'm working on it, slowly but surely...it took everything I had in me to walk up to my hot neighbor and introduce myself! But I did it...

And I made friends with another neighbor, too. Most of the others, they avoid eye contact, but at least I'm friendly now with 2 people.

I talk to salespeople in stores now, too. Before I would just duck behind a display. Now I say hello and even if I don't need help from them, I'll talk to them about something.

 

[KimR]

To all of you that are "shy" quiet" and don't like interacting with stangers, is that something you wish you could change?

In the past, I would say definitely yes; however I've found that as I get older I'm getting more and more comfortable with this aspect of my personality. I used to struggle so hard to change because I thought it was somehow 'better' to be more outgoing and social. Then I'd become frustrated, depressed, and miserable because I'd inevitably fail - it just wasn't me.

Then I realized - what's the point of forcing myself to participate in activities that make me miserable when I'd really rather be at home playing with my girls, on the computer or reading a book? Life is too short and my time is too precious. Of course there's always the obligatory social function like the shower I mentioned previously. I get through it the best I can but I'm not wasting time bemoaning the fact that I'm not the life of the party. I'm the shy, quiet one sitting in the corner and I can live with that.

The one thing I do wish I could change though is my inability to handle crowds because that prevents me from doing things and enjoying things I really WANT to do, not to mention the fact that it causes problems in accomplishing day-to-day tasks. I really don't know what to do about it, though.

 

[Stitchfans]

Extrovert all the way. just try to shut me up.

 

[luvmydogs]

To all of you that are "shy" quiet" and don't like interacting with stangers, is that something you wish you could change?

I used to think so, and would make a resolution every New Year's Day to try to be more outgoing and social, but I always failed. I do well in, and actually enjoy situations that call for me to be more personable and interactive on a professional level--job interviews, public speaking and such. I've just found and come to accept that in my personal life, I'm more private and introspective and enjoy being alone more than with others. I definitely think it's more nature than nurture in my circumstance.

 

[Crankyshank]

I can chatter with the best of them, and have no problem with public speaking or acting. However, I am definitely an introvert. I can be extroverted when I have to be, but I find being around people draining and am definitely much more at ease by myself and have no desire to change.