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Having too much of it in your personality sucks. It's a major social hindrance and can also be a significant professional and career hindrance.

Also: the fact that society makes it out to be a genetic defect that darwinian evolution failed to eliminate. And I don't know; as much as I disagree with society in this case, maybe its correct. And my almost agreeing with it bothers me. Significantly.

"Being an introvert isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If it prevents you from doing what you really want to do, or hinders your working and personal lives, then something should change. However, introverts should be happy being so."

Author on Introverts, Nancy R. Fenn, wrote a Top Ten to get introverts through their day, and it’s mostly a How To in getting out of negative situations and keeping positive about their character.

1. Assert yourself as a legitimate personality type.
There are two legitimate personality types: extroverts and introverts.
2. Correct people when they refer to introverts as neurotics.
Introverts are not neurotics. They are introverts.
3. Correct people when they refer to introverts as prone to mental illness.
Introverts are no more prone to mental illness than others. When extroverts are under stress, they overeat, smoke, drink and become violent. When introverts are under stress, they withdraw. This does not make them mentally ill.
4. Correct people when they assert that introverts are anti-social.
Introverts are not anti-social. They are drained by other people and must limit their time in company, but they are friendly and loving people.
5. Correct people when they assert that introverts have nothing to say.
On the contrary, introverts won’t speak unless they have something important to say!
6. Put a proper value on your ability to be a good listener.
Good listening skills are invaluable in all areas of business and industry.
7. Do not apologize for time spent alone.
Explain to critical “others” that introverts need to spend at least half their time alone for good mental and emotional health. Then assert, if necessary, that introverts are a legitimate personality type.
8. Introverts are not losers.
Take pride that you are in the company of such introverts, past and present, as Albert Einstein, Steven Spielberg, Queen Elizabeth II, Charles Darwin, Mahatma Gandhi, Michael Jordan and Bruce Lee.
9. Stand up for introverted children who are being misunderstood in your presence.
This is one of the most healing things you can possibly do for yourself as it will heal your own inner child.
10. Don’t let pushy extroverts interrupt you while you’re reading a good book.
Explain politely that you can’t talk right now, you’re reading a book.

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/tag/social

I'm right there with you Cronos; I've been really drained this year. My roommate is an extreme extrovert. We've always been very good friends up until recently. He also got this gf who never shuts up and asks the most obvious questions where if she just tried to think of an answer she'd answer it herself. Apparently he has a big problem with how I'm not "friendly." I can't wait for summer.

Cronos69 wrote:It's a major social hindrance and can also be a significant professional and career hindrance.

I'm probably closer to the middle than the extreme but it still sucks. I've missed out on a couple of good job opportunities because I can't do the "sell yourself" thing. They were jobs that I really wanted at the time and with my intelligence and skills I knew I would be great for them. But I just can't bring myself to exhibit false enthusiasm.

I'm very much an introvert myself. People say that I'm a completely different person after they get to know me.

Do what I did and become a tour guide.

AdmiralKird wrote:I'm right there with you Cronos; I've been really drained this year. My roommate is an extreme extrovert. We've always been very good friends up until recently. He also got this gf who never shuts up and asks the most obvious questions where if she just tried to think of an answer she'd answer it herself. Apparently he has a big problem with how I'm not "friendly." I can't wait for summer.

that's one of my biggest pet peeves about being an introvert. Whenever we don't play along with the insipid small talk/social interactions that make us uncomfortable we're faced with the question "why aren't you more friendly?".

Well, I'm very friendly, thank you very much. If given time you might get a chance to see that. But I appreciate having the pressure put on me to change instead of you.

clevername wrote:Well, I'm very friendly, thank you very much. If given time you might get a chance to see that. But I appreciate having the pressure put on me to change instead of you.

If something about your personality is making you unhappy isn't it on you to try and change instead of asking the rest of the world to accommodate you?

That goes out to all the introverts, not just clevername.

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I thought I was an introvert. As it turns out, I'm just boring.

Cronos69 wrote:Having too much of it in your personality sucks. It's a major social hindrance and can also be a significant professional and career hindrance.

I don't think it has to be a career hindrance, if you acknowledge your tendency to be introverted and choose your profession accordingly.