Do Introverts Face Discrimination?

[Lady Christina de Pond]

i don't know maybe we are.
i know i enjoy my quiet time i also enjoy a close group of people. i talk to people but i don't get into deep conversations with others unless i feel safe or comfortable. I used to jump in all the time until someone stabbed me in the back now i'm more cautious about speaking up. as an introvert it took me a bit to speak to a few people last year at garf i also struggle at work where they expect you to be outgoing

[Rapier Half-Wit]

I can and do speak to any and everyone. I'm in IT. It's part of the job. Interestingly enough, in my field, a large percentage of IT geeks are introverted. But we are forced, by business purposes, to deal with the population at large. Much of the time it's frikken hilarious watching the geeks trying to negotiate a common ground with a user, in conversation. But I digress.

I deal with people. All day long, every day. But I much prefer my own company, and the company of a very few people. And I think that's also part of why I like faire; I can get lost in the crowd. I don't consider being introverted a draw back or a handicap. Actually, looking at it from this perspective, those people that I allow to get that close to me are just that special.

Am I discriminated against for being introverted? I couldn't care less. If someone does discriminate against you, it's only because they aren't good enough to be in your circle.

[Anna Iram]

I quite agree Rapier. I like my small select circle of friends and they like me. That's all that matters.

Am I a people person? I am friendly and happy when I meet and chat with people and my job requires that I present myself in an outgoing manner. Doesn't mean I have to put on a dog and pony show or tell them my life story. I'm private but welcoming. I do consider myself by nature more introvert than extrovert, but while I'm perfectly happy to work on my own or in my private life have adventures on my own, the right people along can make the journey or the work place even better.  It's just not a requirement.

My point, unless you are an extreme introvert I believe you can make any position you wish into your own. Don't worry about how you measure up to an extroverted personality. Introverts have their own gifts to offer.

[Francisco Paula]

If you had a room full of crazy people wouldn't the norm be crazy?

Anyways Grov who you calling crazy, just cause my mom was locked away for 10 years dosn't mean i'm sane.


Oh and yes i do find when i'm my pirate self and i am in an enviroment i like i tend to have alot of fun. But then again give me a good book my cockatiel Rocket and i'm just as happy.

[Elennare]

what's this "normal" you speak of?

"Normal," friend Tink, is a state of mind, [...]

Nonsense!  "Normal" is a setting on the wash maching.

As for the topic of the thread, I really don't know.  I don't know which category I would fall into, either.

Society at large, I think, tends to encourage extrovertism, but I don't think that necessarily equals discrimination against introverts.  I would guess that it has to do with the way social dynamics have changed (or not) from the earliest societies.

If everyone sits off by themselves, the whole group doesn't get very far, so you want lots of people who like being around and interacting with others.  But that one guy who prefers to mostly be by himself probably makes a pretty good guard, sitting off at the edge of the firelight watching for intruders while everyone else parties.

How that translates into modern times?  I'm not really sure.  I know there are some things that require extroverted tendencies (but not necessarily people), and that there is a big push in the corporate world for everything to be done by teams, but I don't think that means introverts are discriminated against.

There is also a distinction between a personality and behaviour.  I tend to be shy around people I don't know.  But at the same time, put me in a job where I MUST talk to people, and I really enjoy that-as long as I get down time, as well.  I'll talk to guests more than my co-workers, if I don't know them, though. *shrug*

I think I'll stop rambling now...

[groomporter]

Do you think our society discriminates against introverts?

Not in an active sense.

As someone who was sometimes painfully shy as a child, I would suggest it's more a matter that introverted behaviors can hold people back from taking advantages of certain experiences or opportunities as they come along. It's more like something that can be self-limiting, as opposed to outside discrimination.

[Charlotte Rowan]

I think there are certain jobs that require someone to be an extrovert.  If you are an introvert why would you WANT to get into an "extroverted" job where you are required to put on a happy "people-person" face and be outgoing?  I think that would make someone, not an extrovert, but shy or not a people-person.

As a teacher I HAVE to be an extrovert.  Even if I'm not feeling it one day I MUST be outgoing if I want to get my kids hooked on whatever it is I am saying.  Having been in sales and marketing as well, being an introvert never would have worked.

Maybe it isn't abou "getting over" your introversion, but instead finding a job that works with your personality.

Best of luck to you!

This isn't about anything specific... it's actually a question that I saw on another forum and thought was interesting. For discussion, not because I necessarily feel discriminated against when trying to get a job.

But, I have experienced difficulty getting a job because of my introversion.  I had to jump through a couple of extra hoops to get my current job. The reason I wanted it is because it's in a field I love an am passionate about - study abroad. It does require some extrovert things like making presentations, networking and committee work. I had to convince my interviewers, who knew I am an introvert because I was an internal candidate, that even though I don't PREFER to do those things, I'm certainly capable of it. Extroverts may not like to sit quietly in meetings, but they certainly can do so if it is required of their job!

[Charlotte Rowan]

I don't consider being introverted a draw back or a handicap.

I totally agree. In fact, I think it's a point in our favor! But I think society in general does tend to look at it as a handicap. I can't tell you how many times I've heard things like, "I don't really like my brother's new girlfriend. She's just kind of quiet and not very talkative" and wanted to say, "So it's better to be loud and a blabbermouth?"

[Grov]

@ Garath  I wasn't referencing anyone in particular but you sound like you took it that way.  Guilty conscience?

[Tink]

But I think society in general does tend to look at it as a handicap. I can't tell you how many times I've heard things like, "I don't really like my brother's new girlfriend. She's just kind of quiet and not very talkative" and wanted to say, "So it's better to be loud and a blabbermouth?"

I've been this girlfriend.  It gets tiresome having to explain over and over, yes, I'm enjoying myself, I like your family, I just feel like being quiet.  Sometimes, I just don't have anything to say, and I'd rather not say anything than come up with fluff.

[Merlin the Elder]

First, I want to apologize, Tink. I made the assumption that you were the person on the right in the picture, based on another post somewhere. I beg forgiveness...

I've been around people that you couldn't get a word in with a pry bar, and others that you can ask "Well! What do you think of this Eric Clapton concert??"  "s'ok..." (** insert pregnant pause **  [wait] [wwwaaaiiittt]  ** deliver newborn pause...full term **)  We're all different. 

Everyone has their own set of unique characteristics, and bound to have some good ones in there somewhere. I've done a lot of different things in my life, very few of which is interesting to anyone but those in that particular line of work. Many of my interests tend to be of a technical nature. But I have also been a performer most of my life, but pretty much a sideman, so I never had to get too extroverted! I hate going solo and get tremendous stage fright, but with the band, I'm just fine.

There's a comfort level we all reach and it can be difficult to break that imaginary barrier. The truth be known, however, being loud and obnoxious doesn't make you an extrovert, it merely makes you loud and obnoxious. In any social situation, I'd rather deal with someone that is a little shy than a loud boor.

[groomporter]

Of course, then there's the line in the song by The Who "The Quiet One":

"I ain't quiet, everybody else is too loud"

http://www.lyricsdownload.com/who-the-the-quiet-one-lyrics.html

[Tink]

First, I want to apologize, Tink. I made the assumption that you were the person on the right in the picture, based on another post somewhere. I beg forgiveness...

LOL  no, that's Pan (yeah, I know, Tink and Pan, but we had the names before we met.)  No worries.  Makes me wonder which post, though. 

[Poldugarian Warrior]

Kate, is right if your job requires you to be out going then I guess you must. I think all introverts are personable when the occasion arises, we all are very educated/learned. We just don't go out and put ourselves in the situation of talking with evryone in the world. We just aren't social butterflies if you will. More like solitary wolves, bears, and cats.  When they come together you see they are very social, and it's usually only with a few other animals. But, I don't think it's an all out discrimination, I think employers are at least looking for people that are willing to interact with people, but the out going part means you'll do evrything in your power at work to please the customer, not so much as be social. It's all in the terminology really. So to be introverted or not to be introverted that is the question. I think most of us are a little of both, especially for us introverts to attend faire and interact with people it's fun, and we aren't over geeked up to see or talk with people.

[KeeperoftheBar]

"The meek shall inherit the Earth", but not the mineral rights.
I say, introverts need to speak up.