Source: themetapicture.com
What do J.K. Rowling, Bill Gates, Albert Einstein, Gandhi and Marilyn Monroe have in common? They all may be pretty different from one another but they all possess the same personality trait as I, which is we are all introverts. Lately there has been a lot of discussion about the dichotomy between extroverts and introverts with a leaning toward the idea that introverts should “suck it up” and become more like extroverts.
In interest of full disclosure, I am obsessed with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and take the test all the time. Even though I always get the same result (INFP- Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving.) I am about 90% on the introvert side of things. In a world made of up approximately 75% extroverts, it means that my fellow introverts and I have a not-so-great reputation and are often discussed as being a burden on society. Extroverts have long tried to claim that introverts are the misfits and need to assimilate properly into mainstream society.
I have decided to compile a list of offenses that extroverts have alleged against introverts and defend myself and my fellow brothers and sisters (looking at you J.K.!) Here it is:
Offense #1 Introverts Don’t Like Working in Groups
It’s not that introverts don’t “like” working in small groups but we often do our best work alone. It’s also important to note that introverts can shut down in large group activities but if properly stimulated can actually excel in small group activities. In order to accomplish this an introvert needs to feel like they are valued and their ideas are valued. Or else an introvert may write off a group experience as wasteful.
Offense #2 Introverts Don’t Like to Talk
This one leads into #1. It’s not that we don’t like to talk but we are first really great listeners and often need to take in our surroundings before we take part in a discussion. However, if you engage us in a topic that we are deeply passionate about then you may never shut us up.
Offense #3 Introverts Just Want to Be Left Alone
Contrary to what most extroverts say, we also crave human interaction and enjoy the company of others. But we do become more easily drained and need “recharge” time.
Offense #4 Introverts are Rude or Cold People
Introverts don’t show emotion like extroverts do. This causes people to misunderstand them and mistake their stone-face demeanor for rudeness, which isn’t the case. Again, we assess a situation very calmly and with great attention to detail before we react appropriately. We can be blunt, and appear slightly bored and impatient at times, but this is because small talk disinterests us. We prefer intimate and meaningful conversations. This can make us appear not only rude, but avoidant as well, especially if we’ve been invited to parties and social functions that we turn down.
Offense #5 Introverts are Shy
Being shy and being introverted are two completely different things. In fact, a more appropriate term would be that we are reserved. Most times introverts don’t feel the need to spew out “word vomit” but instead take careful consideration in terms of communicating with others. Another big difference is that introverts abhor small talk.
Offense #6 Introverts are Openly Defiant in Becoming More Like Extroverts
While the dichotomy between the two personality traits may be a bit simplistic, there is no switch for introverts to just assimilate into becoming extroverts. Being an introvert is more of an innate personality type that you can’t change. Many people falsely believe that introverts can (or want to) “unlearn” their quiet, passive tendencies. We do not. And no one should want us too either.
