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So I found this link useful. I KNOW all of that, but I still catch myself treating introverts oddly. It's usually because I can't tell that they like me and/or if I've pissed them off somehow. I was gaming with one particular introvert for 3 years before I was certain he actually thought I was cool.
Top ten myths about introverts
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Myth #10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.
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.
Top ten myths about introverts
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Myth #10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.
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.
no subject
Date: 2011-06-30 06:46 pm (UTC)All that's to say, while I definitely agree with the original post and your comments, I'm very cautious about stating that people can't change who they are. Introversion / Extroversion is just one aspect of a personality and shouldn't be used as an excuse for behavior (i.e. "I'm rude to people because I'm an introvert" or "I can't pursue intellectual things because I'm an extrovert")
no subject
Date: 2011-06-30 07:13 pm (UTC)I would say that the stereotypes in either end get sticky. Introverts are not incapable of being social any more than an extrovert is incapable for being intellectural or self-aware. I think that scale is strictly which parts are easier and which parts require more energy.
no subject
Date: 2011-06-30 08:13 pm (UTC)You could chalk it up to "everybody's different", but if you dumped me and a bucket of introverts on one side and you and a bucket of extroverts on the other side, you'd find a lot similarities along the lines of the myths above.
I think there's a lot more to it than just which parts are easy and which parts require more energy.
no subject
Date: 2011-06-30 08:18 pm (UTC)To me this reads a lot as "Please keep in mind that introverts aren't socially flawed, they're just different. Check yourself before making assumptions about their intentions."
If I go to a party hosted by a friend, spend a couple hours, have a good time and then am one of the first to leave... that's exactly all that is. However, I've known extrovert friends to assume that I'm not having a good time because I left before anyone else. They don't grok that I might just be done. The second or third time this happens they being to assume that I don't enjoy being social, and might stop inviting me to social things because they keep trying to perceive my intentions through their own extroverted lenses.
I just read this whole business as a nice reminder that I'm different, and that it's ok to be different.
no subject
Date: 2011-06-30 08:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-06-30 09:53 pm (UTC)That is the reason why I posted it.
I guess I just disagree with the thought that extroverts can't talk about serious things, or think about themselves, or be as intellegent.
But I can suck it up, since it usually goes the other way. ;)
no subject
Date: 2011-07-01 04:46 pm (UTC)No stealing my compliments, spinning them around, and treating them as some sort of insult.
You're very smart, and can talk about serious things just fine. I have definitive proof. :D
no subject
Date: 2011-06-30 10:23 pm (UTC)