Do Introverts Face Discrimination?

[Rapier Half-Wit]

And I say that extroverts need to learn to pipe down. "Tis better to be quiet and be thought a dullard than to open your mouth and prove it."

[Merlin the Elder]

Well spoken, Half-Wit! You just earned the other half! 

[Rapier Half-Wit]

LOL thanks!

[Charlotte Rowan]

And I say that extroverts need to learn to pipe down. "Tis better to be quiet and be thought a dullard than to open your mouth and prove it."

[Charlotte Rowan]

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.

And I'm sure you're perfectly kind, and interesting when you do have something to say. I've probably been this girlfriend too, or this new person at work, or this person in class. Glad to know there are people who understand.

[Tink]

Thanks, Charlotte

[Michael]

Absolutely. A huge part of career success and advancement is reliant on social connections/networking, etc. People that don't experience anxiety in social situations think it's just innocent shyness when in actuality it's a lot deeper than that. I remember being told by several of my friends how their first impression of me was way off due to my shyness and that they thought it came across as awkwardness or that I "didn't like" them.

[Poldugarian Warrior]

No, shyness is just our way of sizing up the extroverts, once we find you acceptable to join in our conversations we'll let you know. I mean being quiet, that's what we were taught in school, don't speak until spoken too by extroverts. Ha! Ha! But, seriously, I say let the big mouths speak first then put yer 2 cents in. It's more fun that way.

[Mairte]

Yes, I am one of those introverts too. There are worse things in the world. At least until I get to know and trust someone. Growing up in a huge family, teasing mercilessly was our way of showing you were loved!
Are they discriminated against? I would say not so much as they arent heard like the extroverts are.

[NefariousDrO]

This is a very interesting thread for me. Like many of you guys, I'm "guilty" of the introvert behaviors, needing large amounts of alone time, etc. I do find that there's some merit to this question, though. Especially after things like Columbine and such, it seems like there's a good deal of suspicion in some quarters for people perceived as "loner" or "antisocial". I work with someone who is fond of saying things like "shyness isn't a characteristic, it's a symptom" from time to time. The pervading attitude I sense is mostly one of "it's your problem, and if you'd just act like everyone else you'll be happy" from people around me. As if the fact that I'm not an outgoing person proves that I'm unhappy!

[Poldugarian Warrior]

Look at evryone in history that has followed evryone else, instead of what they knew was right in themselves. Most seem to be dead, or in jail.