The
Cambridge Dictionary defines an "introvert" to be "someone who is shy, quiet, and unable to make friends easily".
Wikipedia, though, reckons that this is a common mistake. It said that "
mistaking introversion for shyness is a common error. Introverts prefer solitary to social activities, but do not necessarily fear social encounters like shy people do.".
Carl Jung describes introversion and extroversion as a spectrum. Different people have different levels of introversion and extroversion, and cannot exactly be boxed as one or the other. Those somewhere in the middle of the spectrum are called "ambiverts".
The
Huffington Post lists the following characteristics of introverts:
- They withdraw in crowds,
- They prefer deeper conversations to small talk,
- They do well on stage, but not the light conversations after,
- They are easily distracted, but do not feel bored,
- They are drawn to creative, detail-oriented and solitary careers,
- When surrounded by people, they prefer to be closer to the exits,
- They think before they speak,
- They don't take on the mood of the environment like extroverts,
- They don't like talking on the phone,
- They shut down when it is time to be alone.
At a recent
conference that I attended, introverts were defined as people who energise in solitude, while extroverts are gain their energy when in a crowd. Somebody said that she has shifted closer to be an ambivert compared to her younger years. Another person said that she felt awkward while living in a foreign land, where she needs to converse in a foreign language frequently, but she is able to make friends and feel comfortable in that environment even so. Yet another cautioned against regarding introversion as a handicap - they are normal people who just draw their energy differently. They just need to have some "alone" time to recharge after interacting with other people. Introverts long for company and friendships just like everybody else.
Are you an introvert? What helps you survive the social environment if you are? How do you think introverts can be assisted socially?
