Guys, being antisocial and not relating well with people have nothing to do with being introverted. The majority of introverts are actually social people and enjoy social interactions and crave them.
They also have a higher rate of being sympathetic and empathetic.
The issue is that they are not likely to interact with other introverts, so they have a harder time finding people similar to themselves. And the only real issue they have with extroverts is that their conversations tend to be less focused and more shallow. This is why extroverts thrive at parties, where long, deep conversations don't go well, but small, quick interactions are perfect.
But since introverts are most likely to have to continually deal with extroverts it creates the sense the introvert is alone, and gives them the false sense that they are unable to relate to people. It's not 'people' that are the problem, it's the fundamental differences in the way introverts and extroverts communicate. But you get an extrovert to slow down and pull them into a more focused ad in depth conversation and you will find that they are more relatable.
Actually the problem falls on the lap of the introvert in that they have a harder time being flexible. Extroverts are more flexible and can fit into a broader range of conversation styles and topics as well as different levels of conversation. But trying to have an in depth conversation with an extrovert in a room full of people will be difficult. But getting them one on one and slowing things down is another story.
So many people, including introverts themselves, have so many misnomers about what being an introvert means. This is often damaging to introverts because of some of the negative concepts surrounding what an introvert is.
There is a distinction between attitudes or behavior that cause one to segregate from others vs being an introvert.
For example, being anti-social isn't an introverted trait. The problem is the anti-social mindset, which causes a behavior similar to introverts, but for different reasons. Anti-social people tend to have more of a dislike for people. While introverts have a natural need for socialization, but due to the way they socialize, they Have to set limits on it to remain mentally and emotionally healthy.
But instead of seeing the difference people just take the two separate types of personalities and assume they fall under the same banner, introversion. And this misunderstanding causes introverts to think of themselves as not being social creatures, but causes confusion when, as happened with Harvested, they actually are social.
A few things introverts are not by definition:
-anti-social
-shy
-unfriendly
-stuck up
If a person who appears to be an introvert has any of these qualities, it's more likely that these qualities cause them to be closed off, not that they are this way because they are introverts. And in the case of the last two, people often mistake peoples introversion for these traits. I, for one, through my teens in particular, was often considered stuck up. I wasn't stuck up. And a simple look at the kinds of people i befriended showed that i was quite open to a variety of people, especially those people others looked down on.
Traits that are more common to introverts:
-sympathetic
-empathetic
-artistic
-deep thinkers
-good listeners
-good at helping people through problems
-social, just with limits
-introspective
-observant
So introverts, don't let a misunderstanding of who you are make you feel less than you really are. Introverts have a lot to offer people, if those people would give them a chance.
The reality is introverts, by their nature, are givers. But all people have limits. When an introvert spends an evening around people, it is like being drained for hours, the entire time. This is why your introverted friends disappear for a week after hanging out with the group. Spending time alone, for introverts, is not shunning socialization, it's recharging their batteries. And at times introverts might avoid some socialization if they are feeling drained in other areas of their life. Introverts need to be somewhat protective of themselves and being alone makes this possible. But make no mistake, once that introvert has charged back up, more than likely they'll be itching to spend time around someone, as they typically Are social creatures.
I'm an introvert, and just the other night i posted about how i sometimes sit in the chat room, one part of me hoping someone talks to me, and the other part hoping no one talks to me haha. But see, i've been somewhat lonely lately. But also having a lot i'm dealing with that is draining. So i have this conflict of wanting to talk, but feeling drained at the same time.
Hope this cleared up some of the confusion about what introversion really is, and what they aren't as well. Naturally, as is pretty much always the case, some people don't fit entirely into the standard explanation. This is simply a generalized overview and not intended to encompass all people considered introvert. Ultimately people are individuals and some traits may not be present in certain people, or may be more present in some than others.
So before anyone starts with the 'i'm an introvert and i'm not X way you said'. Blah blah blah, yeah, i know. Now go away =P