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Introvert

a Haven for 25% of the Planet

The Saddest Thing

Sunday October 12, 2003 by Hal

I’ve studied temperament and personality now for over 10 years. I know the natural strengths and weaknesses of all kinds and types of people.

But the saddest thing I think is a person who, for who for one reason or another, has “put on” the behaviors of a temperment type not their own for such a long time that they have “become” that type.

It seems so forced and unnatural, like an introvert who thought they had to be outgoing so they forced an outgoing “face” for so long that it stuck (Like your mother told you - if you keep doing that your face will stick that way!)

What are your experiences with people who behave “off type”?

Comments

  1. Hal, can a person be an introvert and butt in all the time? ;-)

    Although noone who knows me would probably agree, I sure *feel* like an introvert. Although I can take on the “entertainer” role at parties and in groups, I don’t think that’s who I really am. I can be energized by close friends, but worn out by strangers.

    How do you know whether or not you’re an introvert? Perhaps I’m on the border…

    Can a person be obnoxiously introverted?
    — Keith    Wednesday November 12, 2003    #
  2. I was a child who grew up among extroverts, and have done what you describe for years. It was made clear to me growing up that being an introvert was not acceptable, so I studied other people to learn how not to be “defective”. Yes it is sad, yes it is fake, but I did not know what else to do, remember ~ being introvert was unacceptable behavior.

    It took moving to a new place, time and a lot of solitude to start to break the cycle, 12 years in I’m almost there.

    This is a great website, it is good to know how many of us introverts there are.
    — Nina    Monday May 17, 2004    #
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