Are you an Introvert or an extravert....
By gifana
@gifana (4833)
Portugal
November 16, 2006 9:37am CST
I am an introvert. However, people who think they know me think I'm an extrovert. It's very difficult for me to go into a room full of people I don't know. I find it difficult to think of some way to break the ice. I, like so many others, sometimes hide my timidity by going to opposite extreme.
2 people like this
19 responses
@DanaN21 (177)
• United States
16 Nov 06
I Totally Agree With You. Im A Complete Introvert. I Also Have A Hard Time Being Around People I Do Not Know. Im Usually Okay With Friends Or Family But I Have Very Little Friends Because I Dont Make Them Easy. I Have A Hard Time Being In Large Crowds And Usually I Dont Feel Comfortable. I Just Normally Hang To Myself And Dont Say A Word!
1 person likes this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
12 Feb 07
Basically I am an introvert, unless I get to know people and then there is no stopping me. LOL
Whilst I can hold a decent conversation with most people, I tend to hide the more personal things from all those who do not know me well. With my family and special friends it is different of course, and they know all that there is to know about me. If I am placed in a situation where I am forced to meet and mingle with new people, then I look for a person similar to myself. That is someone who is trying to look interesting but generally outside of the circle if you understand what I mean.
That is the person I will talk to, because generally we recognise the same things in each other. My opening line is something like "Hi, I'm .... and need somewhere to hide from all the people. Do you mind talking to me for a little while?". Mostly that leads the other person to telling me that they feel the same, so we are then set and left alone because most people think we are having a nice old chat in the corner. LOL
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
13 Feb 07
Good thinking....but it's doesn't surprise me that you wold do something like that. My line is usually something like....not much going on is there....or I was watching you and see that you are about as talkative as I. Then come the introductions. However, usually, unless I don't want to leave, I will give the ghost and make like an artist and draw my presence to a close. Always nice seeing you ossie. Is your son still will you?
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
12 Feb 07
I would have to say I am both. I believe the only place one feels alone is in the middle of a crowd. I find it difficult to go places by myself, or as you say, enter a room full of people I don't know.
However, I am a leader and have been for nearly thirty years. I conduct seminars and workshops and talk to groups of people and strangers, with no hesitation when I am in the role of a leader. People would say I am an extrovert and in those situations I would agree with them.
I would have to conclude that I myself, am an introvert. I prefer to be by myself; but I, as a leader and a representative, have plenty of confidence and am an extrovert.
1 person likes this
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
13 Feb 07
Wow, what a great answer. I agree that one can feel alone in the middle of a crowd if the situation warrants it. I lost out on a lot of places to see when I was working in the Foreign Service. I used to lose annual leave because I just couldn't get myself to go anywhere all by myself. Now that I don't have that problem I don't have the opportunities. I think your point about being a leader does not necessaryily mean that one is not an introvert. There are a lot of quiet leaders around... Thanks for dropping by.
@ldynimaway (704)
• United States
26 Jan 07
I am an extrovert. But when I was a teenager I was extremely shy. Then I joined Junior Achievement and had to take Dale Carnegie courses LOL well that was it! Changed me forever. I do still get a little nervous the first time I walk into a place full of strangers but use techniques like they taught us for public speaking and viola! It's gone.
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@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
8 Feb 07
I've heard about the Dale Carnegie courses and I have also read his book, How to Make Friends and Influence People....great guide for those too shy to come forward on their own. Sorry it took so long to comment on your response but somehow this got lost in the shuffle. Usually I make my comments poste haste. Thanks for your great input. Maybe someone else will read and know where they can go to find help.
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
26 Jan 07
If you know that about yourself wouldn't you like to try to join in more often? Who knows you might like the results. It's not hard to do....just don't overdo it and you'd be surprised with the number of new friends you might make. Thanks for your response.
@claudia413 (4280)
• United States
24 Nov 06
I'm definitely an introvert until I get to know people, then I have the same disease that you do (diarrhea of the mouth). Most of my friends would say that I'm an extrovert, but I'm far from being one. A room full of people that I don't know terrifies me, but I can usually go in and find at least one person who looks approachable so I can get a conversation going. I envy people that are so at ease in a situation like this. I also find it hard to stand up and talk in front of a group, but I can sit and talk to anyone forever. Maybe I'm an introverted extrovert or an extroverted introvert??? LOL
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@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
25 Nov 06
(laffing). My Gawdy Miss Tawdy....seems like I'm looking into a mirror and hearing an echo. However, you have described it much better (and clearer) than I did. But I think it is a fact that a large number of people who are overtly extroverts....covertly they are introverts trying to hide their timidity. They live behind a mask that only disappears when the shyness offs.....but then LISTENER BEWARE.......I tend to envy the normal extroverts because they don't have to worry about their fear of mixing and talking.
@kylesmiles (1910)
• United States
25 Nov 06
I am definitely an introvert. I am not too talkative. :) I am a very quiet person, and always have been. But in certain situations, I can be talkative. :)
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@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
25 Nov 06
And I have found that introverts are more often better listeners than they are talkers. At least I like to think I am a good listener. Lord knows how many people come to me for advice. Love it....not sure I always tell them what they want to hear but I never refuse an opinion of how I would handle the situation and then it's up to them to decided whether the advice was helpful or not. Appreciate your input.
@dedeeaf (115)
• Romania
25 Dec 06
I am pretty much like you when it comes to this. however, sometimes I feel confortable in a sea of unknown people because it gives me the feeling that no one will judge me because no one knows me. usually I end up making good friends when I feel like this, only this happens very rarely
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
25 Dec 06
I hear you. I'm like that too. I sometimes like to eavesdrop first and see how the conversation is going....if I find it dull I will move on until I can find something interesting going on and if I can add something "intelligent" then I'm usually off and running. Sometimes, however, I cheat a little. While I agree with a person's views I will take the opposite side just to stir up things. Then when I finally agree with them they think they have won me over. Little do they know... Thanks for dropping in and for your input. Hope you had a nice Christmas.
1 person likes this
@wmg2006 (5381)
• United States
24 Jan 07
I am an extrovert. I Love to be the center of attention and I enjoy breaking the ice. I am a talker and don't mind saying what's on my mind as long it is not going to hurt anyone. I have noticed as I get older though I do get more timid or maybe just quieter. I am not as boisterous as I was when I was younger. I will break the ice though if people are feeling uncomfortable. I missed my calling as an actress. LOL
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@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
26 Jan 07
Lol to the last remark. I have found that I, too, have mellowed over the years. I find it more difficult to be an extroverted introvert. It seems that I have found a middle ground that is much more confortable and I can be me much more easily. I sometimes think it would to have had this knowledge when I was younger. Who knows...I might have won an Academy Award.. hehehehe
@Poison_Girl (4150)
• United States
25 Nov 06
I'm definitely an introvert. I tend to be shy and quiet and just kind of keep to myself. What's funny, though, is that I LOVED doing theater. But then again, I was told what to say, do, and wear.
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@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
24 Nov 06
I am an introvert as well. I can fake being an extrovert if I try really hard, but it's very tiring. I don't go to parties where I won't know at least half of the people there. I rarely go to parties at all. I'm usually pretty shy around anyone new but my friends generally know me pretty well.
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@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
25 Nov 06
Right.....I never did like parties where only skuttlebutt was passed around. Like em when we were in a big place where we could skip the light fantastic till we were so tired we didn't feel like talking and each trying to outdo the other. Anyone who has no problem of mixing in at the drop of a hat has found a secret for breaking the ice. Appreciate your comment.
@kesfylstra (1868)
• United States
16 Nov 06
Majorly introvert, though once I am comfortable with people, you can't get me to shut up! I'm getting better at just randomly talking to strangers, but I still worry in the back of my head that they think I am stupid or something, and I want to stop talking and go back to being shy, but I make myself be out there.
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@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
16 Nov 06
Thanks for response. Welcome to the club. I am exactly the same way. There's a saying here in Portugal (roughly translated) He that has a tongue will find his way to Rome... Guess we might say If you don't know....ask. Like you, once I get going I can't shut up. My mother always accused me of having an incurable disease......dihrrea of the mouth.
@joxbront_6 (215)
• India
16 Nov 06
i am extrovert...
well i agree with you, you tells yourself a normal intreovert, let people judge you what they say, not necessary they are always correct.
1 person likes this