Would People be surprised to find out you're an Introvert?

[MunkySpanker]

I think I only scored 15% of so on the "I" scale. However, most of the people in my life would probably categorize me as an extrovert. That's because I'm pretty good at mingling when I got out, but internally I'm like "fuck this bullshit I need to go home." That's why it's not odd to not see me for a whole year if you're my friend, but when you see me, I can be the center of attention, or passed out under the table from smoking too much.

I don't know why I care about what you people think lately, but it's comforting that you don't just stare at me with blank eyes and want to put me in a straight jacket. Actually, maybe you do, but are just unable to.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

You seem pretty active for an INTP, just throwing that out there.

I'm sure at least one of my family members have searched the internet to figure me out lol. I'm the only obvious introvert.

 

[MunkySpanker]

You seem pretty active for an INTP, just throwing that out there.

I'm sure at least one of my family members have searched the internet to figure me out lol. I'm the only obvious introvert.

the very weird thing is that I was never this active prior to this summer. after a train wreck of stuff started happening, well really starting with the breakup with my gf of 6 years -- i decided to try surfing, bought the motorcycle -- and found out I actually enjoyed these things. I mean, I had been in LA for 10 years and never tried surfing.

I'd even be open to the fact that my personality is changing, but then I'd have a much bigger problem than being misdiagnosed as an INTP.

Come to think about it, you guys are all nerds anyways, why would i want to be associated with you?

 

[Trebuchet]

Come to think about it, you guys are all nerds anyways, why would i want to be associated with you?

Because nerds rule [the world from behind the scenes].

In response to your original question, by the time you are 42 like me, you should have found some way to handle social situations gracefully. I do a pretty good job of hiding being introverted, so only people who bother getting to know me are even aware of it.

 

[Oster]

On the record, there were 3 people who said that you're not intp, not all of 'us'. There is no 'us', it's a group of very different people who all come from different backgrounds and... stuff.
Yer just fine, ma'friend. A bit nutty, but aren't we all? I think you're just a bit overwhelmed with everything that's going in on your life and now that you're one step closer to seeing what kind of person you are (and where some of your problems may stem from), it makes you act in a way you normally might not. It's also difficult to "tune in" into a community that you're very similiar to if you've always attempted to be something else.
Or something.


http://www.intpforum.com/showthread.php?t=6582

Come to think about it, you guys are all nerds anyways, why would i want to be associated with you?

I'm not sure why anyone would want to identify as being intp - I always considered those sides of me to be the worst that I can be. Being dark-minded, thinking continuously too much, wanting solitude, gnawing on theories all day long without ever getting anything done, being lazy as hell, having some super-inflated ego about how I can do everything and at the same time not being sure about anything that I know.

It's not about wanting to associate with something, it's about finding about why you act the way you do... and stuff. well, at least it's that for me. Doesn't really matter if it's called istp or intp or what their imago is.


On the original question... yes and no. I have lots of associates, which kinda makes me seem like I have a super awesome social life, but anyone who knows me a bit better can probably tell that I tend to be a 'solo runner'. I don't have the need to meet up friends every day or do the same things that others do.

 

[Ermine]

It depends on when/where you find me. If I'm in my element, and know what I'm doing, I can be quite outgoing. Same goes when I'm around good friends. Otherwise, it's pretty obvious I'm introverted. In order to maintain fair expectations from my friends, I end up telling them I'm introverted anyway.

 

[Dormouse]

I'm generally perceived as very introverted. It is probably my most static characteristic, at least in the eyes of the world. Even around friends, when engaged by whatever's going on, I'm told I seem distracted and aloof.

 

[Jesse]

If I'm in a room of introverts I will be the first to speak, and if I'm drinking I can speak freely, but I am an extreme introvert, probably to my detriment.

 

[LPolaright]

No one would be surprised to find out I'm an introvert.
No way in hell.

But I'm still debating with myself whether I am an extrovert or an introvert, I came into the conclusion that I will never know and my preference is probably being an introvert.

I'd be surprised if you are an introvert though Then again, I only see your forum activeness.

 

[MunkySpanker]

No one would be surprised to find out I'm an introvert.
No way in hell.

But I'm still debating with myself whether I am an extrovert or an introvert, I came into the conclusion that I will never know and my preference is probably being an introvert.

I'd be surprised if you are an introvert though Then again, I only see your forum activeness.

dude, if I wasn't an introvert I wouldn't need all you losers to validate me.

 

[Minuend]

On the record, there were 3 people who said that you're not intp, not all of 'us'. There is no 'us', it's a group of very different people who all come from different backgrounds and... stuff.
Yer just fine, ma'friend. A bit nutty, but aren't we all? I think you're just a bit overwhelmed with everything that's going in on your life and now that you're one step closer to seeing what kind of person you are (and where some of your problems may stem from), it makes you act in a way you normally might not. It's also difficult to "tune in" into a community that you're very similiar to if you've always attempted to be something else.
Or something.

I do not believe an INTP would react like that even under stress. In such case, this forum would be a flying banana.

Of course, even INTPs react differently. But when I'm stressed out at max, I can't even write anything here. I'm completely withdrawn. The more stress, the less you'll see me here.

dude, if I wasn't an introvert I wouldn't need all you losers to validate me.

All humans need acknowledgement.

 

[Jennywocky]

You seem pretty active for an INTP, just throwing that out there.

He's online (for one); and Ne-intensive INTPs tend to be more frenetic.

Then again, he might be an ENTP trolly-troll.

In such case, this forum would be a flying banana.

.... It's not?

 

[s0nystyle]

<--- ENTP trolly troll

 

[nemo]

No, they would not be surprised. I have my friends but I don't bother with making new ones for the sake of company in a class where I have no one - but I'm not sure if that's because my social skills suck or not. However, I HAVE opened up a lot more over the recent months, and am a lot brighter, open and happy. I think I used to...no, I was always introverted. Alone time doesn't bother me, similar to many/all of the people here, I assume. Boing.

 

[pjoa09]

if u are mingling all the time and yet you are like fuck this shit then you are an extrovert I believe.

I often find myself preaching when I talk and i prefer one or two people. I sense it 15 minutes later that i am talking out loud to strangers and i try to loose the heat.

 

[onthewindowstand]

I think people might be a little surprised. This is because I'm usually not talking to socialize but to voice my ideas and see if any fallacies can be identified by the person. When I do hang out I like it being with 2 people or less. My whole life I've had at least one friend where we spend a lot of time hanging out, but I still have that alone time daily.

 

[Spungo Mungo]

I believe in a sort of "Quantity Theory of Conversation", i.e., that in any conversation of a set number of people, there is only so much room for verbal traffic. So, if you're introverted and you find yourself at a party with extroverted people, you will necessarily find a seat in the back, as it were. If, however, you are at dinner with other introverts, then one or more of you has to take the helm, else nothing will be said. Now, the difficulty in gauging one's introversion is that we humans have a habit of selecting our company, and strongly introverted types may not choose to meet with extroverts too often, hence we're having to judge ourselves within our own groups, which will not give you a very good absolute picture.

 

[gruesomebrat]

I believe in a sort of "Quantity Theory of Conversation", i.e., that in any conversation of a set number of people, there is only so much room for verbal traffic. So, if you're introverted and you find yourself at a party with extroverted people, you will necessarily find a seat in the back, as it were. If, however, you are at dinner with other introverts, then one or more of you has to take the helm, else nothing will be said. Now, the difficulty in gauging one's introversion is that we humans have a habit of selecting our company, and strongly introverted types may not choose to meet with extroverts too often, hence we're having to judge ourselves within our own groups, which will not give you a very good absolute picture.

My personal experience tells me that extroverts often seem drawn to introverts, because for some reason, they think that everyone should join in the socializing. So, while I agree that we may not choose to meet with extroverts, I don't think we have to judge ourselves within our own groups.

I know if I go to any sort of party, I generally end up with a small crowd around me trying to cajole me into socializing... incredibly uncomfortable, especially when you're trying to work through a thought process, and you're interrupted by "Hey, what's wrong? Why aren't you over here chilling with the crowd?"

 

[Stoic Beverage]

Depends. If you ask the majority of people that don't know me at all, then definitely not. If you ask the people that do know me well, then you should go to a mental asylum because you talk to figments of your imagination.

...Then again, there are many insane people at this forum. By choice? Maybe. Or, they sent us here without us even knowing, and this is the asylum...

Also, I talk to myself all the time. So I'm not really one to criticize.

 

[Methuselah]

I think I only scored 15% of so on the "I" scale. However, most of the people in my life would probably categorize me as an extrovert. That's because I'm pretty good at mingling when I got out, but internally I'm like "fuck this bullshit I need to go home." That's why it's not odd to not see me for a whole year if you're my friend, but when you see me, I can be the center of attention, or passed out under the table from smoking too much.

I don't know why I care about what you people think lately, but it's comforting that you don't just stare at me with blank eyes and want to put me in a straight jacket. Actually, maybe you do, but are just unable to.

Sounds like me, really. Back in the day I was a painfully shy introvert, but I didn't like that, so I forced myself to grow social skills. What a painful process. But now I can hold a room's attention when I'm "on," I throw 3-4 parties a year, and I have a fair amount of friends. But I still have to go home to hide and recharge, sometimes for weeks at a time.

 

[Jon C]

It depends on who you ask. If you ask people who actually know me, like family, close friends, ex girlfriends, etc, then they will confirm that I am an introvert. But if you ask somebody from college who has only seen me at parties, or one of my co-workers (I work in customer service) then they may fall under the false presumption that I am clearly extroverted.

 

[subdude]

Since INTPs can be pretty intense about things that are of interest to them, it really shouldn't be surprising that we can seem pretty extroverted to friends/acquaintances who only get to see the side of us that is so alive. Various friends of mine have expressed surprise when I've told them that I am an introvert. Granted, I'm not very introverted compared to many introverts, but I'm definitely an introvert. I'm not at all surprised though that some friends would get the idea that I'm an extrovert since in the right situations I am very outgoing.

One profile of INTPs I read mentioned that INTPs often enjoy being in the spotlight, even if only for short periods of time. I'm not sure how many others here agree with that, but I know I myself enjoy the attention of others, even if I'd prefer to spend most of my time alone.

 

[CowSavior]

I guess people are pretty shocked when they see my introverted side.
All of my (not so close) friends ask me what's wrong and think I'm depressed
when I'm not rambling or joking around.

On the other hand, my closer friends and family don't think anything of it when
I go hours without saying more than a few words to them. They're used to it.
And a majority of them also have studied (or even tried to dis/improve) Myers Briggs typology.

When with friends in public, I tend to push myself, and usually less sociable others, to social extremes. But I also have a habit of completely ignoring people I don't care for (which gives me the reputation of an asshole more often than not).

When alone with people I do know, I'm usually very outspoken, though as I said earlier in this post, I have very long moments of introversion. When alone with people I don't know, I'm pretty awkward and don't know what to say, or I simply don't care to say anything at all and so the bare minimum to be polite (Usually...).

I rarely even have conversations with my best friend and family, but I guess they've gotten used to it, knowing me most of my life. (though they don't really know me, as I do not express my true feelings and intentions often)

simply put: I am misleadingly mysterious. And iTrollU

 

[CoryJames]

Most of my friends would be surprised at how introverted I am. I recently took to posting a "quote of the day" as my status, most of a deeply philosophic nature, and my friends thought I was "being fake" to impress girls or something.

I guess I should not be surprised though, since people generally misjudge me, and a lot of that false judgement I bring upon myself by pretending to be something I am not.

 

[gruesomebrat]

Surprised that I'm an introvert? Hell, no. Most of my friends know that I don't often enjoy social interaction, and have gotten to accept it. Occasionally, I run into an acquaintance that doesn't understand, but I do my best to avoid those kind of people.

 

[Laurence]

Those who know me know the "I" in INTP has been earned but people I've worked with would be surprised. In fact, a colleague who administers the MBTI for local corporate clients prides himself in being able to predict results. He thought he had me down but had projected me to be an ENTP. He said he's never missed an I or E until mine.

I explained that while I am truly an Introvert, I am also a helluva of good actor. And my sociability is "just acting"!