In my previous post about my RBF, I mentioned briefly that I was blessed with the double whammy; my RBF and the fact that I’m quiet. I don’t use the word blessed loosely I really do love the fact that I’m quiet. This characteristic lets me truly see and experience the people and things around me. Unfortunately in a world that praises and prizes extroversion, this does put me at a disadvantage and into some really uncomfortable situations.
1. I can’t initiate a conversation with a stranger let alone carry one on to save my life because I really dislike small talk
Scenario 1:
Person A: Hi how are you doing?
Me: I’m good thank you. *silence with a smile*
*Person A shifts briefly sees John and waves *hi John* while politely walking away
Scenario 2:
Person A: oh boy look at all this food, I’m going to have to eat everything because it all looks so good
Me: Yea *smiles*
*Person A turns and says the same thing to person B, person B answers with a witty reply: oh yes such is our woes. Both laugh while walking away*
2. I’m quiet, does that mean I’m reserved or am I a stuck up bitch?
People who don’t know me often think that I’m stuck up because I don’t tend to participate in conversations. I really am simply reserved and not that interested in your conversation (okay maybe a bit of a bitch too), but unfortunately people equate quietness with being bitchy.
3. I spend unhealthy amounts of time obsessing and replaying every social faux pas, mishap or botched conversation in my mind instead of telling someone.
This is truly a vicious cycle because the more I replay it in my head the worse it makes me feel which makes me think about it some more. I take a little comfort in the fact that humans are selfish beings and a lot of the times they’re thinking about themselves and not you.
4. Most of the times I have complete conversations in my head with myself without uttering a word.
Me: OMG so this totally funny thing happened at work today that I want to tell you about. Although it’s really more of a “you had to be there” type of scenario. What if I say it and you don’t laugh? *shrugs ah well maybe I’ll wait for a better story*
*In the meantime my fiancé is having a full on conversation in the car, out loud, with himself*
This makes me smile. Oh how I love him.
Years of working has taught me to put on a very good extroverted persona, I’ve even been called a social butterfly by a co-worker. In a society that praises and prizes extroversion we must learn to adapt in order to survive, but we must not lose ourselves in the process.
January 20, 2016 at 5:34 am
Omg, I totally understand. 🙂
LikeLike
September 27, 2018 at 10:16 am
This is great… ive learned to put on an extroverted persona too , but really im quiet and need alot of alone time
LikeLike
September 27, 2018 at 1:26 pm
Hoorah! nothing wrong with some good quality alone time
LikeLike