<p>Another thread inspired me to post. I am introverted and find that people, and conversation about mundane things bore and overwhelm me. I am able to discuss intellectual subjects, but when it comes to everyday conversation, I am just not interested.</p>
<p>To be honest, being introverted is not an easy way to live. I do not understand why and how mean and cutting people can be, and I often find myself disgusted by the human race. Seems to me that most people shoot their mouth before they consider how their words will feel to the one on the receiving end. AND WHEN others treat them the very same way they treat others they get MAD about it. For the most part, people ONLY care about themselves and how life affects them.</p>
<p>I am much more comfortable (and content) around animals who I find to be kind and sweet for the most part.</p>
<p>I’m introverted but I don’t see that excluding everyday conversation. That is a different kind of detachment. Introversion generally means inward looking and it implies a certain approach to dealing with social situations - which can range to avoidance. Those can be handled with experience and some effort. Not caring is a different trait than being introverted.</p>
<p>I am with Lergnom on this. I consider myself to be an introverted person in that I tend to get energy from being by myself rather than people. While for others going out and spending time with others is energizing, I find it draining and I need alone time afterward to relax and regroup. That said I absolutely love people and I am usually (not always) interested in the things they have to say, even if it might fall into the category of mundane (I love to hear about pets and babies). In fact I find people who only see fit to ever talk about intellectual subjects to be tiresome. I really have to think and process before I speak so when the subject matter is complex I find it especially challenging to engage in conversation.</p>
<p>If your more comfortable around animals, then interacting with humans must be provoking some sort on anxiety. You might have kind of a perfectionists mentality where you’re afraid of saying something wrong. Human’s can be fun. Give them a chance. Sometimes a human can even be the smartest mammal in the room. GL</p>
<p>Check out the Gifted Development Center in Denver website. Dr. Linda Silverman has studied thousands of gifted individuals over decades and has lots of information on introversion.
In our society where extroverts are held up as a shining example of what kids should aspire to be, the introvert is often made to feel abnormal.
There is nothing abnormal about it.
I believe OP was trying to point out that mindless chit chat was not enjoyable. Intellectual conversation was the only thing enjoyable. In today’s world, that is not always available.
We all must be more understanding of those introverts who are not abnormal - just different.</p>
<p>I don’t think finding only intellectual conversation interesting to be characteristic of an introvert. I think I could categorize that person as someone who only likes intellectual conversation. You can be an extrovert and share the same trait. </p>
<p>I think introversion is different. You can be an introvert and have this trait, yes, but I don’t think finding mundane conversation boring is indicative of an introvert.</p>
<p>I am very introverted, practically off the charts introverted according to Myers-Briggs. You would never know it to meet me, because I’ve become quite skilled at social interactions. I can even be the life of the party under some circumstances. But that’s all learned behavior; it does not come naturally.</p>
<p>OP, I think of introversion/extraversion just as hyperJulie defined it – it’s a question of where you get your energy. For me, being with people is draining and I need to be alone to recharge. For extraverts, just the opposite. When I withdraw, it’s because people tire me out, not because I’m hurt or angry. It sounds like you are both.</p>
<p>This describes me perfectly - I remember moving to a new school and out of a G&T program in 11th grade and basically having to re-learn social interactions. I don’t want to add another data point to the “gifted kids are all social weirdos” chart but the fact is, it was a big change moving from one type of classroom to another with a whole new set of social rules. It was also strange for me to be moving from a place where a sharp wit, no matter how cutting, was always appreciated, to a place where people took offence because they perceived it as rude and not worth saying, no matter how clever.</p>
<p>Well - people are never going to call me an extrovert, so I guess that’s a difference. But I identify so much with the “learned behavior” comment, because I remember having to take a step back and observe how other students were behaving and “compute” what was okay and what wasn’t. It was something I had to consciously do at the beginning.</p>
<p>Interestingly, I was told that in G&T classrooms, the most-represented MBTI type is INFP, and Ns are very overrepresented relative to the general population.</p>
<p>Re post 10 - I had no idea that the most common type in g&t classrooms was INFP. That’s surprising to me. I am classic textbook INTJ but I have learned so much from the INFP in my life.</p>
<p>away2school, pick up a copy of Susan Cain’s recent book “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.” A very good read that supports a lot of what you are feeling. </p>
<p>I found the book extremely interesting as the author feels that the culture in the United States rewards the extrovert. She talks about the myth of charismatic leadership and how our education system and schools do not seem to value introverts. Colleges want to turn out “leaders” who know how to “elbow” their way around the world and speak/act confidently when faced with challenges. But then she goes on to talk about the influx of the asian culture in the U.S. and the “soft power” that they bring. </p>
<p>In the end I think the author agrees with Gandhi who she quotes: " In a gentle way, you can shake the world". A great book for anyone - introvert or extrovert.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, I’m an introvert as well. I’ve been working on ways to be more outgoing since I graduated from high school. I hated doing speeches in high school and college, but at work where I know everyone I am fine with presenting. I’m plenty loud around my friends and family… though my sister laughs at me when I’m at the beach because I’d rather sit there with a book then be in the ocean with everyone else.</p>
<p>I also say Hi to everyone when I pass them, even if I have no clue who they are. You never know who those strangers are. Could wind up being someone important who will remember you later when you are posting for a position in their department. Our VP</p>
LasMa, I am on your team. I am profoundly introverted and happiest when I am alone or with close family members only. Every day when I get home from work or errands, I feel a great whoosh of relief walking through the door into my house. But I have a job that requires frequent public speaking and constant interaction with many people, lots of whom are needy and demanding. An amazing number of folks tell me what a “people person” I am. I do find people interesting, and I can make small talk easily - I’m just always looking forward to my next opportunity to find my comfort zone, where I’d always rather be.</p>
<p>The difficult thing about being an introvert is that activities and events that nurture and enrich extraverts actually drain and diminish an introvert. Parties are awful to me, like 2 hours of fingernails scraping a blackboard. I am constantly struggling to balance my strong need for quiet and solitude with the expectations of others.</p>
<p>I live with 3 introverts. Planning a social life is tough when they would prefer to watch a movie at home than go out. (all of us are outdoors-types, just not with groups).</p>
<p>I’m personally on the border of I/E. Somedays I want to be left alone, other times I crave human interaction. The other traits there’s no doubt: STJ. Life is black & white with no in-between. Guess that’s what 25 years on Wall Street does to you!</p>
<p>The ISTJ here does describe me perfectly, however I do like being w people!</p>
<p>I used to be an introvert but I stopped and socialize because I finally realized no man can be an island. I am not saying there is anything wrong with being one but there will ALWAYS come a day when you need help from a friend and he/she isn’t there. And trust me, it sucks. It ABSOLUTELY sucks to have no one there. But hey what do I know, I’m only 21</p>
<p>I’m just like this. I am actually fairly social, love to spend time with people and am good at chit-chat about mundane topics, but I need a LOT of downtime by myself. If I’ve been at a party or even dinner with good friends for too long, more than a couple of hours, I feel myself start to shut down and become quiet and irritable.</p>
<p>I always hear about introverts that are able to hide it, but for some reason I never see people that claim to be extroverted but aren’t able to socialize well, which I think describes me. If you ask most people I know, they’d say I’m introverted since I’m not loud, and am pretty shy and awkward. But I’d much rather spend my time at a party than stay in and watch a movie, for example, and this seems to align more with the characteristics of an extrovert.</p>