Are you an....

jessica490 · January 2016

introvert or an extrovert? Feel free to elaborate

I'm pretty bored this afternoon, so let's get to know each other better!

dragonstarjk · January 2016

Introvert, hands down. I prefer smaller gatherings with people I know rather than large parties. I like to stay home. I have a handful of close relationships but am not interested in having more friends or meeting people. I am uncomfortable making small talk. Pretty much all the things you read about being an introvert, that's me.

Ironically, I have worked in customer service my entire adult life. People around me don't believe me when I say I am shy and quiet and not a people person. The reality is, I get paid to make conversation and provide good service. If I had my way, I'd have a job where I never had to deal with the public, ever.

jessica490 · January 2016

I am an introvert for sure. We have a small close circles of friends and I am good with just that. I love hanging out with family and relatives the most and even just H. I love being at home, hanging out, and getting projects done. I get anxious in certain situations. I hate weddings and parties where I only know a few people. I don't like loud anything (noises/TV's or events). Although I'm kind of bored at my job, I love it because most of my work is done by email and sometimes phone and not face to face. I love hiding behind my computer lol. I've been in therapy thinking this was a huge problem, but I've learned that's it's ok and I am more comfortable with that.

I bring this up because I saw something on Pinterest last night "21 pictures you only understand if your an introvert" and I was cracking up

brij2006 · January 2016

Duplicate

brij2006 · January 2016

Extrovert. Give me new people, new places, someone to chat with. I also love to multi-task and have my hands into a little bit of everything.

I'm actually crazy enough that I'm looking forward to the 60 people coming to DD's 1st birthday party because it means we all get to hang out, chat, and have a good time.

Oh, but I'm a bad friend. I can go weeks or months without talking to some of my friends.

dragonstarjk · January 2016

jessica490 said:

I am an introvert for sure. We have a small close circles of friends and I am good with just that. I love hanging out with family and relatives the most and even just H. I love being at home, hanging out, and getting projects done. I get anxious in certain situations. I hate weddings and parties where I only know a few people. I don't like loud anything (noises/TV's or events). Although I'm kind of bored at my job, I love it because most of my work is done by email and sometimes phone and not face to face. I love hiding behind my computer lol. I've been in therapy thinking this was a huge problem, but I've learned that's it's ok and I am more comfortable with that.
I bring this up because I saw something on Pinterest last night "21 pictures you only understand if your an introvert" and I was cracking up

I want to go look this up now!

Xstatic3333 · January 2016

If you think of introverts and extroverts as a spectrum, I'm pretty close to the middle but land slightly on the extrovert side when I take the MBTI. My mom administered the MBTI through a large local corporation for her career so I've taken the full official test a bunch of times. I'm an ENFJ, if anyone is interested.

Introvert qualities: I am energized by my alone time, very comfortable being alone, and get stressed out by group decision making situations. Travelling with groups of friends larger than my BF and my H really, really stresses me out. Although I like talking, I would prefer to talk about other people or news and current events than to talk about myself. I loathe making phone calls.

Extrovert qualities: I talk a lot, I love public speaking, I love networking, and I'll walk up to people and introduce myself happily at a party. I find comfort in being part of a crowd, but I am also pretty comfortable being the center of attention (like when I had my bridal shower, wedding, etc.) I'm more productive at work when there is a lot of background noise and a little bit of chaos, and though I clearly can't do this at work, I'm at by far my most productive with a TV show on in the background. It keeps my mind from wandering.

brij2006 · January 2016

Xstatic3333 said:

If you think of introverts and extroverts as a spectrum, I'm pretty close to the middle but land slightly on the extrovert side when I take the MBTI. My mom administered the MBTI through a large local corporation for her career so I've taken the full official test a bunch of times. I'm an ENFJ, if anyone is interested.

Introvert qualities: I am energized by my alone time, very comfortable being alone, and get stressed out by group decision making situations. Travelling with groups of friends larger than my BF and my H really, really stresses me out. Although I like talking, I would prefer to talk about other people or news and current events than to talk about myself. I loathe making phone calls.

Extrovert qualities: I talk a lot, I love public speaking, I love networking, and I'll walk up to people and introduce myself happily at a party. I find comfort in being part of a crowd, but I am also pretty comfortable being the center of attention (like when I had my bridal shower, wedding, etc.) I'm more productive at work when there is a lot of background noise and a little bit of chaos, and though I clearly can't do this at work, I'm at by far my most productive with a TV show on in the background. It keeps my mind from wandering.

*********************
I could have written all of this. They make fun of me at the office that I'm less productive on slow days, but you give me a busy office with a bunch of people coming in and out and the phones ringing and I'm good to go.

hoffse · January 2016

I'm pretty introverted. I hate talking on the phone, especially to clients. On the whole you tend to get more introverts in business law and more extroverts in litigation. That's especially true now that deals and closings can be done remotely, whereas litigators still have to appear in court.

I work with my door closed a lot, and I'm super grateful I have my own office. I would lose it in a cubicle if I had to see people all day.

I work best in quiet, and I used to take exams with ear plugs so that I could tune out all the people sitting around me.

I re-energize through alone time and solitary pursuits, or by spending time with my H and my parents. Even spending time with my closest friends doesn't relax me because they are far more extroverted than I am, and it takes a lot of energy to be around them. Let me be clear, they are absolutely wonderful - just a lot more high-spirited than me, and after spending a day with them I am usually pretty tired.

All that being said, I am able to talk to people, and I have learned to be social when it's required of me. A lot of people are surprised to hear I'm an introvert when they first meet me, because I can put on a good show if I have to. Because of my profession, I go to a lot of parties and social events. Pretending to be an extrovert is a basic requirement of my job. I'll be honest though, I really don't enjoy gatherings like that at all. I find them draining, and I'm usually counting the minutes until they over. But I can fake it, and all the extroverts around me usually have no idea that I have no desire to be there.

So yeah, introvert all the way.

smetter04 · January 2016

I'm also in-between introvert and extrovert. I'm not very talkative, I'm happy spending a quiet evening at home by myself or with a small group, and don't like talking on the phone.

However, in college I grew out of my shell a little bit and I'm able to enjoy new experiences and walk-up to new people at a party.

I do have to say, whether I'm more introverted or extroverted at any given time largely depends on my mood at that moment. Lately I've been more introverted so social situations have been more difficult.

hoffse · January 2016

Side note - I have learned that the fastest way to get people to leave me alone at parties is to tell them I'm a tax lawyer. 9 times out of 10 even the bubbliest people can't think of anything to say to that.

I'm really not a Debbie Downer at parties, but when I'm really desperate to get away from somebody, I just start talking tax law and then they scram. Works like a charm

julieanne912 · January 2016

Still trying to figure that out haha! Is there such thing as an extroverted introvert? I have a lot of the introverted qualities, but sometimes I really do enjoy being social. But after a busy party or something, I love to go home and just be by myself. Same for after a day of work... I work at a front desk so I'm constantly on the phone, talking to people etc.. so after busy days I'm just exhausted and ready to hibernate.

als1982 · January 2016

Like a few others, I definitely have both traits. Professionally, I'm really outspoken and a bit of a FOMO but really like it when my days are more in front of the computer versus stacked with meetings. Personally, I love a good party or happy hour and usually am one of the last to leave, but I'm just as happy with a Friday or Saturday night at home with wine and sweatpants.

AprilZ81 · January 2016

julieanne912 said:

Still trying to figure that out haha! Is there such thing as an extroverted introvert? I have a lot of the introverted qualities, but sometimes I really do enjoy being social. But after a busy party or something, I love to go home and just be by myself. Same for after a day of work... I work at a front desk so I'm constantly on the phone, talking to people etc.. so after busy days I'm just exhausted and ready to hibernate.

That is a thing! I'm the same way!

I don't mind small talk but the idea of a huge networking party or social event where I only know a handful of people is not my idea of a good time. My husband however would love it.

I'm at my most comfortable with a small group of people that I know well. After attending large events I really need some quiet time with the tv, a book or some device to decompress.

PurpleBookmark · January 2016

Definitely an introvert! I still have a small degree of social anxiety actually but SO much better than I used to be. When I was a teen I would even bribe my little brother to order for me at restaurants. Now I'm good, I try to think of some conversation topics ahead of social situations and I have breathing exercises for large crowds. I'll always need my at home time to recharge but I really do have a great social life currently.

BlueBirdMB · January 2016

Extrovert. I love to talk to anyone about anything. I need to talk out my problems with tons of different people a million times because talking makes me feel better. I certainly get stage fright (everyone does, and anyone who says they don't is lying, I'm convinced) but I love to perform and I love public speaking. I think I'm little bit hyper active- I can't sit still for long and I can never just watch TV without doing something else with my hands.

vlagrl29 · January 2016

both. I find myself having no problem talking to people I don't know BUT I do need my downtime to decompress and become re-energized again.

MommyLiberty5013 · January 2016

Both. I can talk to pretty much anybody and I enjoy social settings. But, I don't like the lime light. I prefer to be a listener. But, when I'm with people too long or too much, I have to retreat and be alone for a bit to recharge. I dislike banal conversation that's fake. I'd rather get to know people really well.

I don't really like crowds in large cities or amusment parks or shopping malls. I'm not afraid of them, I just prefer the quiet of nature and the peace that comes from a more rural and restful place.

Jobs I've had have been exclusively in direct sales or marketing with face-to-face interactions, public speaking, and group projects. I thrive inthose situations, but I like to be alone too and I'm totally comfortable going to a movie or dining alone.

CuriousKiddosMama · January 2016

Complete introvert. Would rather spend a nice quiet evening reading a book or watching a movie with dh than going out to a big party.
Honestly it's weird I ended up being a teacher. But somehow it's easy talking to a group of kids (most of whom know nothing about the history I'm trying to teach them). It's my worst nightmare having to get up in front of a group of fellow teachers and speak.

takmjs · January 2016

I'm definitely an introvert, so it's also weird I'm a teacher. I can talk to a group of kids easily, and because of my position, I've learned to accept that I have to talk in front of other teachers and lead different professional development/trainings. That's probably been good for me to have to do that, so if I do switch careers, I will at least have a little experience in public speaking.

kmurphy2131 · January 2016

CuriousKiddosMama said:

Complete introvert. Would rather spend a nice quiet evening reading a book or watching a movie with dh than going out to a big party. Honestly it's weird I ended up being a teacher. But somehow it's easy talking to a group of kids (most of whom know nothing about the history I'm trying to teach them). It's my worst nightmare having to get up in front of a group of fellow teachers and speak.

I'm an introvert too, and while I'm not a teacher I'm a physical therapist in an outpatient clinic where I am treating and conversing with patients for 9-12 hours a day. They are in the clinic for an hour of so, so it's not just clinical conversation but small talk too. I was just telling my husband last night how weird it is that I went into that job. It drains me by the end of the day though and I need some "quiet' time

cbee817 · January 2016

Introvert- always have been, always will be.

short+sassy · January 2016

I fall more on the extrovert side and have an outgoing personality, though I've noticed this has decreased some as I have gotten older. It's not even that I'm shyer, I just don't enjoy socializing as much as I used to. But still, I'm comfortable speaking to people I don't know and giving presentations (have done that a good bit in previous jobs).

Oh! As an example, in my 20s I was a karaoke queen, lol. I even won a couple contests. On a cruise I went on, I tried out for and was chosen for an "American Idol" parody show they were doing and ended up singing in front of hundreds of people in the main showroom. It was a lot of fun! But, wow, was that daunting!

With socializing, I much prefer small groups over large parties. I'm also happy just having quiet time at home and that is the majority of what I do with my free time. Though a large part of that is it is my H's definite preference.

Mustard76 · January 2016

Somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. When I was younger, I was solidly on the extrovert side but the older I get, the more I enjoy my down time. I still have no problem going out alone, but I prefer small groups to large crowds. I hate small talk, not because it makes me uncomfortable, but because I see it as pointless. I prefer to really get to know people over chatting about the weather and how much I love Chicago sports.

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