Saw this on Google+ and had to share my insights on it.
Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk.
This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.
[I am very much like that. Very true. I also have difficulty listening to people who take seemingly forever just to get to the point of their story. Spit it out already!]
Myth #2 – Introverts are shy.
Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a reason to interact. They don’t interact for the sake of interacting. If you want to talk to an Introvert, just start talking. Don’t worry about being polite.
[I think shyness does play a small part in it, but mostly it's mainly an excuse to stand back and investigate the situation.]
Myth #3 – Introverts are rude.
Introverts often don’t see a reason for beating around the bush with social pleasantries. They want everyone to just be real and honest. Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.
[Most people don't realize how difficult it is to resist the urge to speak our mind at all times. It can quickly make a social interaction intense.]
Myth #4 – Introverts don’t like people.
On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have. They can count their close friends on one hand. If you are lucky enough for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal ally for life. Once you have earned their respect as being a person of substance, you’re in.
[Couldn't have said it better myself. I'm big with the social media. I have a G+ and a Facebook profile, plus a LinkedIn and probably much more than I can remember. I tend to "trim the fat" and remove those people who I have no desire or need to interact with, so that only those who have earned and deserve my attention receive it. It's also a good reason why I keep those profiles mostly private.]
Myth #5 – Introverts don’t like to go out in public.
Nonsense. Introverts just don’t like to go out in public FOR AS LONG. They also like to avoid the complications that are involved in public activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a result, don’t need to be there for long to “get it.” They’re ready to go home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely crucial for Introverts.
[Also very true. I prefer being at home, or being at a friends house. Being out in public tends to just slowly eat away at my patience. If I have to endure big crowds, I quickly become intensely focused on getting out of them, and getting to a 'safe' place.]
Myth #6 – Introverts always want to be alone.
Introverts are perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts. They think a lot. They daydream. They like to have problems to work on, puzzles to solve. But they can also get incredibly lonely if they don’t have anyone to share their discoveries with. They crave an authentic and sincere connection with ONE PERSON at a time.
[Agreed. It's actually quite difficult not to daydream whilst others are talking to me. Mental gymnastics. Not being able to share my thoughts and 'discoveries' with someone who gets me, who understands why I think the way I do, tends to make me slightly more nuts crazy insane. It's definitely a problem that goes down straight to the core of an introvert's personality.]
Myth #7 – Introverts are weird.
Introverts are often individualists. They don’t follow the crowd. They’d prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living. They think for themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm. They don’t make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.
[I think, therefore I am. And I definitely think I'm strange. But since I tend to surround myself with people that understand me, I guess I become the relative norm!]
Myth #8 – Introverts are aloof nerds.
Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attention to their thoughts and emotions. It’s not that they are incapable of paying attention to what is going on around them, it’s just that their inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.
[True. Most of the time the stories I create in my own head are much more fantastic than those of others. And unfortunately, when I find a story that captivates me, it's a difficult job to pay attention to other, less interesting conversations.]
Myth #9 – Introverts don’t know how to relax and have fun.
Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places. Introverts are not thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. If there is too much talking and noise going on, they shut down. Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Introverts and Extroverts have different dominant neuro-pathways. Just look it up.
[Reading the Wikipedia entry on that particular topic leads me to believe that this response is backwards; that extroverts are more sensitive to dopamine levels, which is they they seek out stimulation instead of being content. Otherwise, yes, we prefer to stay at home to relax.]
Myth #10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.
A world without Introverts would be a world with few scientists, musicians, artists, poets, filmmakers, doctors, mathematicians, writers, and philosophers. That being said, there are still plenty of techniques an Extrovert can learn in order to interact with Introverts. (Yes, I reversed these two terms on purpose to show you how biased our society is.) Introverts cannot “fix themselves” and deserve respect for their natural temperament and contributions to the human race. In fact, one study (Silverman, 1986) showed that the percentage of Introverts increases with IQ.
[I don't know why other people would see introversion as a bad thing. Introverts tend to be smarter and better adjusted to the world around them, especially since we choose with such care where and with whom we spend our time with.]
