What does it mean to be....
By celticeagle
@celticeagle (168327)
Boise, Idaho
October 20, 2015 1:07am CST
pitifully shy? When I was a young girl I was so severely shy that when I saw the mailman coming down the road I ran into the house. I always felt that shyness and introversion were one and the same. It has just been over the last few years that I realized they are actually two types of personality characteristics and not really the same thing at all. Was busy living life and hadn't really thought about it I guess.
It is said that people can be so badly shy that it can become a serious mental problem. On the other hand introverts just do not feel that social interaction is necessary. I also feel this way. I would rather read a book, watch TV or reflect on the day or situation than ever go out into a social situation. Shy and introversion merge here.
For the introvert social interaction can be thoroughly exhausting and emotionally draining. It's not stimulating at all. Shyness is rather the same for me. It is a biological and personality trait. But, for a person who is shy they actually wish they were different. Where an introvert can feel comfortable with someone approaching and starting a conversation with them the shy person finds this extremely scary.
” He was too diffident to do justice to himself; but when his natural shyness was overcome, his behavior gave every indication of an open, affectionate heart.” —Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility
21 people like this
22 responses
@dpk262006 (58678)
• Delhi, India
20 Oct 15
I feel you need to over come your barrier of shyness. There is nothing wrong in meeting people, when we meet others, we get to know a lot. Most are like us and if we don't like a person, we always have a second chance.
I once heard a Chinese saying from a friend - Walking a mile to see a place may give you more knowledge than reading about place.
4 people like this
@celticeagle (168327)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Oct 15
@wiLLmaH.....I can be a good host if I know everyone but, if I don't, I have problems.
3 people like this
@wiLLmaH (8802)
• Singapore, Singapore
21 Oct 15
@celticeagle This attitude is from my dad. My brother is like this too. I don't know how to entertain the visitors.
2 people like this
@dpk262006 (58678)
• Delhi, India
20 Oct 15
Human beings are basically shy and introvert and needless to say that girls are more shy. Only thing is - our shyness should not over power us so much and so that we get nervous talking to a stranger. We should have courage, confidence and guts to talk to a stranger because after all s/he is a human like us.
I used to be very shy in my younger days, however, gradually, I changed myself and now I do not feel afraid to talk to strangers or unknown persons.
5 people like this
@dpk262006 (58678)
• Delhi, India
21 Oct 15
@celticeagle - Yes, it requires two hands to clap.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (168327)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Oct 15
That is true but I think it also depends on the stranger.
2 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
21 Oct 15
@celticeagle
lol lol and I always look a person right in the eye when meeting or greeting.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (168327)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Oct 15
I have certainly noticed that about you.
3 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
20 Oct 15
I was never a shy child,person...I was more of a curious, nosy Rosey...My Parents chose my name right..hahah
I'd always be the first to meet a new student, help someone and be the new guys girlfriend.
Later on was called Teacher's pet or Fickle..learned the hard way of jealous people who couldn't understand someone who is nice and cares for others.
I loved and still do read. That was my only choice to do at home since wasn't allowed to go to parties from strict religious parents so others decided i was lying when i said i couldn't do this or that...Once i got married and realized i wanted to make up for lost time, i went crazy on bar hopping.
I am older and wiser now to understand it tells a lot by the way we are raised, and how being the 4th daughter, all i did was just for attention.
4 people like this
@celticeagle (168327)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Oct 15
@Rosekitty ...I was and am very curious. I think this is a great characteristic. Yes, they chose a great name for you. Hahaha. I am quite a reader too. I don't really need to be entertained by people or have people around all of the time.
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
20 Oct 15
With hindsight we discover so many things about ourselves
3 people like this
@celticeagle (168327)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Oct 15
That is the best way to bring us shy ones out. Find a common interest.
1 person likes this
@poehere (15123)
• French Polynesia
20 Oct 15
I had to learn to over come this at a very young age. We moved around and always being the new kid in school you either made friends or you spent your time alone. I learned how to reach out to kids to make friends with them. I loved my alone time at home but at school I liked being with people and talking. When younger I loved to play jacks with them or other games before class. On the weekends I loved to play outside and with the kids around. But at night I like to be alone in my room to play my guitar, listen to music and watch a film on TV all at the same time. I use to use my guitar to study with. I would sit on my bed playing it and reading the books i needed to read for school.
5 people like this
@celticeagle (168327)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Oct 15
I played jacks when I was young too. Even got my step brother to play with me at times.
2 people like this
@poehere (15123)
• French Polynesia
21 Oct 15
@celticeagle Wasn't it fun. Then in the gum ball machine they started to sell the small supper balls.. We all had to have one of these when we played.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160978)
• United States
20 Oct 15
I am all over the board on this although the psychology tests say I am introverted, I am also frequently shy. but not always. Yesterday I had a nice conversation for close to thirty minutes with a stranger.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (168327)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Oct 15
@cynthiann ... I do better with strangers but not always. Depends on how I am feeling. I get bad this time of year and just want to isolate myself.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
20 Oct 15
I was shy but no longer! I just about chat to anyone these days! 
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
21 Oct 15
@celticeagle Do you know why it affects you at this time of the year? Do you dread Christmas? Many people do as somehow mothers seem to take it all on board and if things are not so good we feel guilty. One Christmas after a hurricane I felt so awful as my boys did not have many presents. Some years ago I mentioned this to them and boy were they surprised. They thought that they had a wonderful Christmas!
1 person likes this
@Ishani08 (563)
• India
21 Oct 15
You are right, there is a thin line between shyness and introversion. Its just the lack of confidence that prevents people from interacting with others. Hesitation has to move out and then you can see a complete transformation into the personalities of people.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (168327)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Oct 15
Sounds like you have found a happy medium. That would nice
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
20 Oct 15
I actually was painfully shy, especially in high school. I only had one close friend. I hated to speak up in class when the teacher called on me. I have slowly gotten out of that as the years have gone by. My daughter was exactly the same way. She was so shy that she wouldn't speak to her teachers at all.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (168327)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Oct 15
@cynthiann ....I pushed my daughter a bit to not be shy because I knew how painful it could be.
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
21 Oct 15
@celticeagle It must have been awful for you!
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
20 Oct 15
Oh this is so sad. I am so sorry that you were that shy.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
21 Oct 15
I see nothing wrong with being shy or being an introvert, as long as it doesn't reach to the level of social anxiety. I'm an introvert and shy but I'm totally fine being around people, even those I don't know.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (168327)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Oct 15
I certainly agree with you. It has been hard at times though.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
20 Oct 15
Sometimes I wish some people would be shy rather than in your face!
2 people like this
@deeshaq (82)
• India
20 Oct 15
I. AM. EXACTLY. LIKE. YOU.
i run inside when someone enters the house.. even milkman.. postman etc.. and yes , even i recently discovered that i am shy but not introvert. I can converse easily with a single person, but in a group of people i am quite. I prefer to avoid social gettogethers because ill be standing in a bunch of unknoen people. There is a very thin line between being shy and being an introvert. Huh.. and i dont have a solution my friend!!
2 people like this
@celticeagle (168327)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Oct 15
I think there are different reasons for both of them too.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
20 Oct 15
It is terrible to be so shy like that.
I was a bit shy but not drastically.
I can appreciate the fear though, as over the years, I have become somewhat withdrawn.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (168327)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Oct 15
I tend to isolate myself this time of year.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (37381)
• Toccoa, Georgia
20 Oct 15
I was a very shy child and barely spoke in school. Now as an adult, I am not as shy. I do tend to be an introvert, though.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (168327)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Oct 15
I had a bit of a lisp too and so I think that added to my shyness.
@celticeagle (168327)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Oct 15
I am the same way. I do get to missing having someone around after a while though.
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
20 Oct 15
The older I get the less shy I got. I learned to not be a doormat also.
1 person likes this
@Tita417 (1228)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
20 Oct 15
I was brought up not to talk to strangers and to go to the room when there are visitors. It's not easy to be a daughter to a military man but time passed by high school I was still that way shy my only friend where those beside my seat and in college the same way . But only when I started to work then I was exposed to all kinds of people and I knew I wasn't introvert. All I needed was to be expose to the world, thenI got the hang of it.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (168327)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Oct 15
Strictness and more strictness I bet.
1 person likes this
