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How do you recognise an introvert?

I think I might be quite introverted in many aspects of life but I'm not 100% sure on what it means to be an introvert exactly. There are many myths regarding it and if you could debunk some of them and ask me some questions to try and help me understand if I am actually am introvert, I would be very grateful.

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Do you, generally, prefer the company of yourself to the company of others?
Do you feel anxious about the prospect of having to deal with people (the two aren't mutually exclusive; you can be anxious around people and not be an introvert, and vice versa, but generally speaking there are more socially anxious introverts than there are people who consider themselves to be extroverts)?

What "myths" are you talking about?
Original post by Drunk Punx
Do you, generally, prefer the company of yourself to the company of others?
Do you feel anxious about the prospect of having to deal with people (the two aren't mutually exclusive; you can be anxious around people and not be an introvert, and vice versa, but generally speaking there are more socially anxious introverts than there are people who consider themselves to be extroverts)?

What "myths" are you talking about?


I like the company of one or two people maximum and not for prolonged periods of time.
In terms of having to deal with people in public, I'm not afraid of the prospect but I only want to engage in conversation if I have to most of the time. However sometimes I may be in the mood to speak to strangers due to boredom. More often than not I'd prefer to just listen to music and look around me, that might sound weird I don't know.
The myths I'm referring to are things like introverts are all shy for example. But I don't consider myself to be shy at all.

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Introversion is needing your own space from time to time to recharge. So you could be perfectly happy talking to people but after a while you just need to have some time to yourself to recuperate.
There's a level 5 mage spell for precisely this purpose. I learned it from Elminster.
Original post by TroyAndAbed
Introversion is needing your own space from time to time to recharge. So you could be perfectly happy talking to people but after a while you just need to have some time to yourself to recuperate.


This applies to me quiet a lot. But then again, doesn't everyone need time to 'recharge'.

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Original post by Raiden10
There's a level 5 mage spell for precisely this purpose. I learned it from Elminster.


A what spell?

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Original post by ZSHNZ
I like the company of one or two people maximum and not for prolonged periods of time.
In terms of having to deal with people in public, I'm not afraid of the prospect but I only want to engage in conversation if I have to most of the time. However sometimes I may be in the mood to speak to strangers due to boredom. More often than not I'd prefer to just listen to music and look around me, that might sound weird I don't know.
The myths I'm referring to are things like introverts are all shy for example. But I don't consider myself to be shy at all.


Judging from what you've said (I realise you can only give limited answers seeing as I gave very limited questions), I'd say you have introverted tendencies. But then I'm not a psychologist, so what the **** do I know? :h:

"All introverts are shy". This is as factual as "every black person has an afro". I deliberately phrased my questions the way I did ("generally", "not mutually exclusive", etc) to avoid trying to adhere to stereotypes, and instead tried to cater to your personality specifically, which is something that many people don't bother to do which is why some people hold ridiculous notions like "all introverts are shy".
Original post by Drunk Punx
Judging from what you've said (I realise you can only give limited answers seeing as I gave very limited questions), I'd say you have introverted tendencies. But then I'm not a psychologist, so what the **** do I know? :h:

"All introverts are shy". This is as factual as "every black person has an afro". I deliberately phrased my questions the way I did ("generally", "not mutually exclusive", etc) to avoid trying to adhere to stereotypes, and instead tried to cater to your personality specifically, which is something that many people don't bother to do which is why some people hold ridiculous notions like "all introverts are shy".


Ah, yes I understand but it's good get a viewpoint from someone who doesn't think having introverted tendencies is just being 'shy'.

I also hate how a lot of people think introverts aren't 'fun' or good to be around because they're 'constantly depressed' or something similar. It's crazy.

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Same here.
Original post by ZSHNZ
This applies to me quiet a lot. But then again, doesn't everyone need time to 'recharge'.


Extroverts tend to get there energy from being around other people. So will be more likely to spend their downtime texting/on social media or whatever rather than have genuine alone time.
Original post by ZSHNZ
Ah, yes I understand but it's good get a viewpoint from someone who doesn't think having introverted tendencies is just being 'shy'.

I also hate how a lot of people think introverts aren't 'fun' or good to be around because they're 'constantly depressed' or something similar. It's crazy.


I totally get what you mean :five:

Introverts are the best kind of people IMO, though I suppose I'm biased given that I'm introverted myself. Going out and getting ratted in a club just isn't for me, I'd much rather grab some close friends and get pished at home instead.
Original post by ZSHNZ
I think I might be quite introverted in many aspects of life but I'm not 100% sure on what it means to be an introvert exactly. There are many myths regarding it and if you could debunk some of them and ask me some questions to try and help me understand if I am actually am introvert, I would be very grateful.

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Erm introverts, mythologically speaking, are very quiet, wallflowers, withdrawn. It doesn't mean if you talk to them they will be shy or awkward, it just means they aren't socially aggressive :smile:
Being introvert means being very calm and not chatty in my opinion. That is to say these people are in the background when they are standing in a crowd.
Reply 14
Said above. Enjoy socialising with close trusted friends in short bursts, tires relatively quickly.

Fewer but deeper friendships

Draws energy from being alone.

Generally prefers to jump into 'deep' conversations rather than formalities. Can do small talk to be polite but not a big fan.
Original post by Drunk Punx
I totally get what you mean :five:

Introverts are the best kind of people IMO, though I suppose I'm biased given that I'm introverted myself. Going out and getting ratted in a club just isn't for me, I'd much rather grab some close friends and get pished at home instead.


I wish there were more people who thought that around where I'm from! Everyone here loves going out, partying etc.

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Original post by Riku
Said above. Enjoy socialising with close trusted friends in short bursts, tires relatively quickly.

Fewer but deeper friendships

Draws energy from being alone.

Generally prefers to jump into 'deep' conversations rather than formalities. Can do small talk to be polite but not a big fan.


This basically describes me! I guess I can class myself as being quite of an introvert to be honest.

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Is there really a right and wrong in regards to what an introvert is/isn't?

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Reply 18
The problem with things like this is that you can't just pick people up and drop them into neatly-defined boxes. It's a spectrum, and some people have qualities and aspects that seem contradictory or mutually incompatible.

To answer the question in a none-serious way, though:
You don't. They're probably hiding behind an extrovert.
Blank facial expressions, lack of emotion, being quiet and reserved

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