<p>In the “I miss her!” thread, the idea was presented that introverted parents manage the separation from college kids differently. This makes me wonder – how many of us feel that we are married to our opposite in the personality department? I am clearly an extrovert and H is seriously introverted. There is some evidence to support the idea that this personality trait is an inherited trait, which doesn’t surprise me – we have one child in each camp. </p>
<p>So, what about it? Are we attracted to the “other side?”</p>
<p>sjmom2329, frankly, I can’t imagine two extroverts being married to each other. No one would get a word in edgewise. Just kidding.</p>
<p>Similarly, two introverts wouldn’t talk at all. I think you need a blend to have a happy marriage.</p>
<p>However, that said, I don’t think that someone is necessarily an extrovert or introvert. I think that people have these qualities to varying degrees. If someone is “middle of the road,” they probably can get along with someone who is also somewhat extroverted or somewhat introverted. However, I do agree that two people who are extreme examples of either category won’t probably get along.</p>
<p>I have friends–a married couple–who are both quite extroverted in the sense of being garrulous. They are constantly interrupting each other in conversation, or begin speaking at the same time. It’s very cute how they immediately apologize to each other and say “sorry, go ahead”…“no, I’m sorry, you go”…“no, no, you first” etc. All the time, it’s like a comedy routine, but it’s real. :)</p>
<p>Introversion is not really about talking or not talking - it’s about where you get your energy from - other people or from within.</p>
<p>I am an introvert and I can talk your head off if I find you trustworthy and willing to listen. I’ve found that extroverts will talk even when no one is listening. </p>
<p>My wife is somewhat introverted and I am very introverted. However, our older daughter is unbelievably extroverted. When we went on vacation, we would put her in the kids program from age 2 onward and she would never want to leave. We noticed the other kids would cry the minute their parents left and run to them when they returned. I believe she would probably go out every night with different groups of friends if we let her (yes, I am a more than a little concerned about college dorm life). The upside is that she’s never among strangers and everyone loves her. Of course, she thinks her parents are extremely weird.</p>
<p>I’ve always said that I was an introvert but TheMom–who is a moderate introvert–says that I’m a natural extrovert who lived as an introvert as a form of protective coloration for several decades. There may be some truth to this. But when taking Myers-Briggs tests, I nearly always wind up on the E/I borderline or, if not, just mildly extroverted.</p>