Quiet vs. social

[Kermit]

I'm quiet, and I can't tell you how many people have thought I was a snob. When I was growing up, my sister was a talker, and all those other talkers would go tell her that her sister was a snob. I try not to be that way because I don't want people to think that I think I'm too good for them, but it can be very hard for me to just start talking.

I will say that I can be quite talkative in certain situations. As a childbirth instructor and breastfeeding counselor, I love to talk to pregnant women and women with young babies. I can start up a conversation with them without feeling nervous or akward at all. So far, everyone has seemed to be okay with it, but DH thinks I've gone nuts.

 

[Pagan Moon]

in person i am quiet and shy.. one of my friends calls me squeeky..
here...forget it..

There is No Room on Dis for a quiet person..

 

[mick67]

usually a talker

 

[Lachesis00]

Sadly I know I don't fit in at work b/c I am quiet.

I do not smoke so that kicks me out with the majority... I'm not single so that separates me from another large chunk of people. I am not well spoken so I often sound like a idiot (I know what I want to say, it sounds good in my head but alas when it comes out... it makes me look stupid so I tend to be really quiet).
People often ask me why I am so quiet but honestly I never have much to add to a conversation I just do not feel apart of the group.
Now I have a couple close coworkers I enjoy being around... don't get me wrong, but more then 2 people in a conversation and I just keep a back seat.

I do not care for birthday celebrations... never have (even in my own home setting). I don't care for Christmas or other social holidays with a lot of people. I prefer to be in a small setting of close friends rather then a large group of acquaintances. I almost get anxiety like feelings. I REALLY hate being the center of attention.

If I had my way, I'd do stuff for others (say like a secret Santa type thing or a secret pal) but I do not want stuff done for me...

Honest opinion. Do you have friends or relatives who are quiet? They prefer not to be in social situations? Do you feel quiet people get the same respect as talkers? I'm a quiet person, but I don't feel I get the same respect at work functions, or other gatherings as talkers. I do have a couple of close friends who are talkers, but I think they like me because I do most of the listening. They can dominate the conversation. One lady (she's extremely socialable) I worked with, I felt she treated me as a charity case because I'm quiet. It was like she always made some comment about me being quiet. What are your thoughts?

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I am another quiet/private person. I hate the way people assume you are a snob or anti-social. I wish people would see there is a difference between being anti-social and just not being good socially - you know nervous or awkward. The up side of it is - when I finally do make friends - they are the best people because they do not make these kind of snap impressions - and they look beyond the quiet.

 

[CheshireVal]

I'm quiet. I've always been very introspective-- I prefer to observe rather than participate, and I don't usually speak unless I have something worthwhile or really relevant to say.

People think I'm a snob, too, but I'm just not the type of person who can talk and talk and talk when there's not really anything to *say*.

(I'm different with close friends and family, though!)

 

[goofy4tink]

I tend to be pretty shy until I get to know people. Then you can't shut me up. Sometimes I tend to overtalk if I'm uncomfortable. Most people take me for a bit of a snob since I don't just 'join' in on group conversations. Take last night. I was waiting for dd at her dance class. I had never seen the other 3 moms that were there. They started talking about the private schools their dd's go to. I just read my book. But you could tell they were very hesitant to mention any particular town schools since they didn't know where I might be from. I think it's rude to just butt into anothers conversation. Maybe that makes me unfriendly but I think of it as being presumptous.

 

[J.Cooper]

Count me in too. I'm a shy/quiet person. Another one who doesn't care for going to parties, work functions, etc.. I'm a homebody. I feel like talkers get way more respect than quiet people. People say I'm friendly, just quiet. Now with close friends/family I don't seem as "quiet".

 

[Lachesis00]

LOL This is so me!! The overtalking/fast Imonspeed talking when I am nervous or in a situation I don't care to be in.

I tend to be pretty shy until I get to know people. Then you can't shut me up. Sometimes I tend to overtalk if I'm uncomfortable.

 

[nativetxn]

I couldn't seem to vote in this poll.

I'm a talker. My son is a talker. My husband is quiet.

 

[NMAmy]

I'm a talker but then again, so is everyone in my extended family including dd. DH is a talker, as well. I do tend to be quieter if I'm in a large group of people that I don't know well but get talky once I get comfortable. I find long silences feel so awkward.

When I'm with someone who is quiet, I turn into Question Girl--asking them questions and trying to draw them into the conversation.

 

[Kitty 34]

I'm the talker and my DH is very quiet.

Two of our three sons are talkers but our youngest is very quiet.

 

[CharlesTD]

I am so the talker and it drives my Dw nuts. I will talk to anyone anytime and any place even if it is in the washroom I will strike up a conversation.

 

[BandGeek911]

I am fairly reserved until I get to know people and then they are always quite shocked that I end up being quite the blabberer!!

That is like me too! I am very shy until my class or someone gets to know me better or something....then I talk a whole lot more