I hate that introverted side of myself. Once the ice is broken, then its no problem, in fact I have to be careful not to talk to much. But its that opening conversation that is the hardest. I don't like the come on lines I see used here and there. Weird part is that they tend to work. Its like people like phone flattery and lies.

How about some old fashion honesty? I must be a crazy old fashion liberal who prefers honesty. I gotta stop that!

I had a friend who told me that it better to be assumed stupid than for me to open my mouth and remove all doubt.

Sometimes it's also better to look stupid because if you show that you know or can do something that they're not aware of, you'll then find yourself having to do it.

You know the adage "If you wait long enough, someone else will do it"

I have an ice pick if you'd like to borrow it but it's REALLY sharp

I love being introverted (not to be confused with shyness), I have no problem with silent moments or being tormented by having to say the right thing at the right time....on the contrary..I have no problem with speaking my mind and if it bothers the other person, well, too bad for them

I am my best company and it takes a lot for me to allow a stanger into my world...my introversion is my comfort and safe space.

hey..I think i should post this reply on the "why am I still single" thread....

And be a a hypocrite and a moron instead? Puh-leeze.

You can't change your introverted nature no matter how hard you try (or if you try, good luck with that), so

- first, don't hate it
- second, learn to love it.


I don't mean to be harsh, I'm just speaking out my mind and being sincere - as you may have read elsewhere, I'm an introvert myself, and a hardcore one at that. It's hard at times, but when people appreciate me, they usually appreciate me for who I am and not for who I pretend to be.

If it's a part of you; you should not HATE it. Accept it or change it. Being an introvert is not a bad thing IMO.

If it's just the opening conversation with a date that you have an issue with; would you honestly consider yourself an introvert?

I say keep it real vs. phony flattery!!!

There isn't anything wrong with that. I am a bit shy until I get to know somebody and don't always know what to say at first but that is just who I am. Just be yourself...:)

Let me stand as the introverts' advocate here (I just so love the lost causes):

introversion is not equal to shyness.

Granted, shy people are more frequent among introverts, and introverts are a mostly misunderstood minority (many introverts even mistake themselves as shy), but truth be told, all combinations are possible.

There are shy extroverts (if you think hard enough, I'd bet you'd be able to find an acquaintance who's easy going yet scared to reveal their feelings), and there are bold introverts - yours truly being one of them when he cares enough.

I'm stressing the point because I used to be shy because most people would read my introversion as shyness and I'd trust their judgment... but now I know better.

We introverts are at a disadvantage in a world tailored for extroverts, but we do have our strengths stemming from our very nature: we think deep, we're precise, we're good listeners (which means we get in contact with a lot of information) and we're usually not eager for power or attention - all of this makes us good for society as a whole.

Still sure you hate being an introvert? What's not great about who we are?

In my experience.. This is exactly what introverted women do. I use to go for women who were like this, especially because when they actually open up to you.. it's a beautiful experience. And you do have so much to say. It makes me smile and laugh.

I dunno.. I guess i just wanted you to know that there are people out there who don't mine putting in that extra effort. Be patient like i'm told by so many here on mingle2.

Just wanted to say I hate being extroverted.

These days my “social balance” is shifting, which is making me have expectations on people, which is BAD.

I'd rather go back to my usual lonely self than to reach out (again) only to be greeted by “duh, whatever”. I don't want to need other people, I don't want to rely on them for anything. So I hope this emotional storm will pass soon enough.

introverted people are more satisfying cause you don't know everything about them as soon as they open their mouths.

Hit that nail right on the head!

Quit worrying and remove the filters ... life's more fun when y' don't worry about every little thing ...

Do you know what happens when I remove my filters? I stay silent and I keep thinking.

That's what being an introvert is like: laughing, cheering, partying and the like *cost* me energy, and I'd rather avoid when I can. It's not that I hate other people by principle, it's just that I think most people aren't worth my attention - though introverts usually are.

Sorry - that's all I got ...

I didn't mean to be harsh either, though sometimes being overly sincere makes me look that way. I was just pointing out that “removing the filters” is not a universal solution - at least not for us introverts.

If I sometimes zealously “defend our cause” (which actually isn't a cause at all), it's because I now finally understand “what” I am, and I care about those who still don't. So if you tell an introvert to “remove his filters” without him truly understanding who he is (and why “removing the filters” just wouldn't work), chances are he'll try to behave like the extroverts he's surrounded with, he wouldn't be able to fake it for long, people would instantly tell he's being “fake”, and he'd end up with much more self-loathing than he started with. Guess how I know that...

For more years than I care to remember I was an introvert, too ... artists are like that, y'know ... I finally figured out that nobody really G.A.F. whether I'm an intro- or an extro-, and I made a conscious effort to change. I still have intro- tendencies, mainly 'cuz Mom told all of us we better learn to be our own best company, 'cuz we wouldn't always have another kid to play with, and I'm cool with my own company - matter of fact, there are times when being around other people just sucks ... but on balance now, I'm much more extro- than intro- ... and I'm pretty much filter-free, too ... I just put it out there and really don't give a shitt who likes it or dislikes it ... they do the same thing, so it works out ... give it a shot.

Oh ... that 'self-loathing' thing NEVER enters my mind ...

I'm not saying use pick up lines but surely you can find a way to be flattering and honest at the same time, no?