Are you a people person? A loner? Or a bit of both?
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
May 12, 2007 2:11am CST
Personally, while I do love to be around people and maybe might even be "inspired" to talk to strangers while waiting on line at say a supermarket--I'm definitely more of a loner..by choice of course..now don't get me wrong...I'm not exactly a reclusive hermit either...but since I grew up pretty much alone...I'm just used to it and feel more comfortable that way.
28 people like this
59 responses
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
12 May 07
I used to be a people person. Very outgoing and love to socialize around people. I love the noise, lights and the adventures. However, after settling down, my life suddenly twisted to the loner side. I can't say that I'm living a hermit life. But isolated from the loud noise and prefer the quiet sanctuary of my own study room. It seems that I need more peace. I rarely socialize anymore since most of my friends pretty much have their own lives to lead too.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
Maybe its precisely because I do live in an urban environment..the Big apple..that I prefer peace and quiet...and the sanctuary of my little environment of my apartment--surrounded by my books, music and of course...the computer
3 people like this
@psyche49f (2502)
• Philippines
12 May 07
Just like you, I seem to be a bit of both...I'm not a social butterfly, but neither do I want to be alone all the time. There are occasions when I really want to go out and socialize, like a reunion with high school friends...otherwise, I'd rather work alone, read, watch TV, socialize a little, then be alone again. But according to a personality test I took, I am more of a reflective person, and tends to listen to people than talk. However, there are times that I really have to do the talking because the situation calls for it, like when I am facilitating a session, or is asked to discuss a topic.
6 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
LOL--I've always been told I'm a good listener...think I missed my calling--either I should have been a therapist or bartender..the two professions one listens to everyone's problems!
2 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
12 May 07
Like you I do like to be around People and I do talk to People when they talk to me but I prefer my time to myself half the time
I do enjoy very good Friends coming round for a coffee and a chat and I love having good Friends stopping with me like my lovely Friend Darkwing did but it is only very good Friends that I enjoy spending my time with and of course my Lovely Man and my Children, but I do love my time alone
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
At least with us loners types we feel comfortable being along..not too many people can stand being alone at all
3 people like this
@unusualsuspect (2602)
• United States
12 May 07
I've always been very much a loner. The most social I ever got was when my kids were growing up and my husband was teaching. Even then, I preferred the company of a few good friends, and never cared for big get togethers. I'm practically a hermit these days, and comfortable with that. I see one of my sons, who lives near me, every few weeks, but most of my "socializing" is on the internet.
5 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
I never cared for big whoopdedoes either...LOL...and I'm beginning to think a place like MyLot is one of the top spots for socializing amongst us loners
2 people like this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
12 May 07
i'm a bit of both,but tend to lean on the loner side myself.i just find it..kind of peaceful? i guess would be a good example.
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
It is more peaceful being a loner LOL...
(guess I'm not the only one up late tonight--hehehe)
4 people like this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
12 May 07
yea:)
the "kids" woke me up.
playing kitchen floor hockey with god knows what.
they either ate or hid it LOL
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
That's weird..my two "kids" who are normally quiet were going a bit nutty too late at night--LOL
2 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
12 May 07
Well for me it depends. I'm very much a people person when it's online. I love talking with people, meeting new people, and things like that. However in person I'd rather be alone. I don't like dealing with others in places like the grocery store or even too many people in my house. I'm somewhat of an agoraphobic, I don't deal well with crowds of people. I have panic attacks actually. So I get my interaction that I need on line :) and just avoid others in real life.
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
13 May 07
Believe me I do understand. I've had it most of my life. I've fought against it for a long time. Managed to control it to some extent but then I think between everything else wrong with me it just got to be one too many things to fight. You know, can only fight on so many fronts. There are some days where it's bettter then others but most times if anything is crowded I can't deal. The worst part is 3 people could be a crowd depending on the space involved.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
Welcome to the club...fellow panic disorder person with agoraphobia----I'm working on getting over this stupid and yes it is a stupid condition as I don't plan to have it the rest of my life and there just too many things I still want to do
Have you ever heard of Lucinda Bassett? She's one of the pioneers with a 15- tape program one can listen to --she was agoraphobic herself for over 20 years...and has overcome it completely and without medications-I have them and they have helped quite a bit
http://www.stresscenter.com
2 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
12 May 07
Well I ran away from home at 13 joining a carnival. So I'd guess that I'm most definitely a people person to all ends. I can't stand even sitting here alone for too long. I love having people around me.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
2 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
12 May 07
Go to my page and search for my discussions about Carnie
life and/or Circus life. I've got like 4 there about my
life with them as a child. You'll love them I bet,
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
Wow a carnival...what did you do there?? sounds like fun
2 people like this
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
12 May 07
I don't like these kind of boxes that others put you in. If you don't socialize all the time, you are seen as a loner. If you are classified as a loner, then their must be something wrong with you. It is all nonsense to me. I like my times alone and I like to be social. I might lean towards being with myself more than not, but so what? Who has the power to say that is bad or not normal? You are who you are and it is up to you to live with yourself. I just can't coddle to others standards and expectations, because then I give up my freedom to exist as I like. I am harming no one.
3 people like this
@dragonstar13 (1465)
• United States
12 May 07
I am a loner by nature, when I had my own place I would often go all weekend without seeing or talking to anyone. My job forces me to interact with people all day long and right now I am living with extended family (7 - 11 people in the house throughout the week) so I value any time I get to myself.
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
OMG---seven to eleven people in your house--gee...I'd want to be alone too...LOL
2 people like this
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
22 May 07
Incurable recluse. Or so I believe. Technically, I only prefer to have a conversation with someone I don't know if I'm kind of used to their prescence. I don't have to have spoken with them before, just as long as I'm used to them.
That sounds kinda weird, lol.
Don't get me wrong, sometimes I'm very confident while I'm talking to people. On the rare occasion I'm shy. Most of the time I'm just plain awkward or uncomfortable and put on a brave, at-ease front.
By recluse though, I mean I dislike leaving home unless I need to -- or if its the library lol. I also don't really like, like dealing with people very much. I adore studying people, I just don't like the dealing with them part..lol. Unless it means some angsty, complicated situation..or if they need my help. The last one being more involentary..heh.
But I'm trying to get more..social. Not insanely so, mind. Just a bit.
So..forgive the long explanation. Lack of sleep, high..lol.
Loner-ness. Yes.
2 people like this
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
23 May 07
Hm, maybe lol. Though I'm not afraid of social situations so much as I dislike them heh.
*smiles and waves" Hi, fellow recluse. ^_^
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 May 07
Mmm,,maybe you're a bit of a social phobic?? LOL---I'm a recluse myself..so don't worry about it
;-)
1 person likes this
@mssnow (9484)
• United States
12 May 07
I like chatting with people when i am around them but i also like to be alone. So what exactly does that make me. If im at a party or something i am the one who is making everyone smile and laugh. But when i am home alone i don't crave peoples attention I can be alone and not get upset about it.
@PunkyMcPunk (1477)
• Canada
12 May 07
I have my moments for both sides of this coin. I like to be alone because I love to read and have my me time. This is quiet or with my own selection of music to do my stuff.
I also am known for doing bizarre things and being very extroverted. I have talked to strangers in lines, I once even randomly danced with an elderly gentleman in the middle of a coffee shop while we waited for our coffee. He said it was the best time he's had in years ;)
I'm more of a spur of the moment kind of person it all depends on my mood.
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
Oh that sounded like fun..dancing with an elderly gentlemen while waiting for coffee...what a wonderful spontaneous thing to do!
1 person likes this
@hachimitsu (873)
• United States
12 May 07
I'm a loner. I get along fine with people and have plenty of friends and acquaintances, but I'm rarely ever interested enough in them to rather spend time with them than alone. I live in my own thoughts, busy daydreaming or planning things. Trying to entertain people I'm not very happy to be around feels like such a chore.
3 people like this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
12 May 07
I am both, but I lean mostly to being a loner. I am very comfortable that way too. I can go a week and not see people until church. Then enjoy them there.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
I'm more comfortable being alone too..but oddly, despite my panic disorder with agoraphobia I just can't stand to be in the house ALL day..I get cabin fever...maybe this is a good sign I'm getting over this stupid condition--I just HAVE to be out for awhile..and it no longer bothers me to be in crowded places anymore,..I can now tolerate being on really long lines with no problem now...I had to laugh sometime ago...there's a great large supermarket that's some distance away..since I don't have a car or drive, I walk...one time I bumped into someone, a regular that used to shop in the supermarket only a block away from me but closed down...when I mentioned to him I went to this other supermarket he said..."Oh, but that's so FAR away"--that made me laugh...since I''m the one with the phobia problem not him!
1 person likes this
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
12 May 07
I guess I will try to give my own response so you get more response credit.
But as you can see from my comment on Zukepr, I am both also.
I enjoy being alone. I can sit for hours doing my own thing....reading, art, typing, working on picture.
But there are times that I need company too. But I can't stand going out to some place that has a bunch of people that I don't know. I get nervous just meeting a new person!
So, I would prefer to spend my socializing time with a friend.
There are even times that I have to walk away from my children because they start to overwhelm me. Another great reason for a set bed time even during the summer. ha ha Yes, it will be extended some during the summer...but not too much because I need to keep my sanity too. ha ha
2 people like this
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
14 May 07
Actually, I was a quiet child and very much a loner. I can remember that there were times that I didn't have any friends because I preferred to be by myself but I also had a knack of making friends quickly too if I really wanted to.
Which I did when I reached High School...even though I didn't see any of them as truly being close friends. I was still quiet and didn't come out of my shell until I went into the military and gained confidence from basic training.
Not, I think I have reverted back to my old ways since being a stay home mom. Happy being lone most of the time but still enjoying company for short periods.
And I honestly do not go out seeking any new friends. So that just feeds my fear of meeting and talking to new people.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
Sounds like you're another social phobic...although oddly enough I don't go out of my way to avoid people...and since I'm an "overcomer" in my panic disorder I'm forcing myself to be in situations tat might make the average phobic person cringe or want to avoid...and as I mentioned before at Zu's spot, I was a Drama major and had performed on stage despite my relative shyness--actually it was great "therapy" for me and got me out of my shell...In fact I was a real ham with acting....LOL--Despite that..no..I don't get nervous about meeting new people--with my kind of lovely phobic condition, I have to work on it everyday..so everyday is a challenge for me..it's one thing to be phobic about snakes for instance...I'm not ironically..but you can avoid them...but since my phobia is an everyday thing I have to work on it everyday..and I plan to win!! But I've been a quiet person ever since I was a kid...were you by any chance..usually people like us who have a tendency to be loners were loners as kids and shy...
2 people like this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
12 May 07
I don't know, to be honest. I really like being alone most of the time. I have some amount of social anxiety, though in work situations I'm usually okay because I'm focussing on the work and not just the person.
I do really like talking to people online, but going out, even to stores or whatever that are busy, makes me really nervous. I love spending time with my close friends as well, in small groups or one-on-one. So while overall I guess I'm a loner, there are exceptions to that rule.
When I was really young, I was often alone. I remember at times going days without seeing anyone from my family, especially in the summer when I wasn't in school. So maybe that's part of why I am the way I am: I really cherish my alone time.
2 people like this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
12 May 07
Yes, I remember your mention of being phobic before. =p
I did put being alone to a lot of use in terms of reading and learning things. I was reading adult-level books before I started elementary school, and there are so many things I've learned a lot about that I might not have otherwise.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
Ah--a fellow phobic...LOL...like you I was alone a lot as a kid..it was lonely at the time--but I turned that aloneness to being productive, thus my artistic endeavors--so being alone as a kid did have its advantages in a way
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
I've always been told I'm a great listener..bet you are too...right?
2 people like this
@hezoid (2144)
•
12 May 07
I'm more of a loner really. I find it hard to trust people and don't like large groups. I have very few friends, especially close ones, as i prefer to have fewer friends if it means they are friends i can trust completely. I do get lonely, but then usually i have my partner, my cat and my family.
2 people like this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
12 May 07
If you judge by my favorite activities, I guess you'd say I'm a loner. I like to read, write, paint or be on the computer, so that's not very sociable.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
And be with your kitties..right? :-)
1 person likes this
