Definitely an extrovert, I find it easy to start conversations with strangers and get energized from being with friends. I'm fine with being alone but I'd much prefer to have someone else around.

Extrovert for sure!

Introvert. I do like spending time with friends and am usually the one initiating it so I don't go out very often with them, even before the pandemic.

In between. Sitting day after day in the house, no way. Crowded places don't bother me as long as they are not loud. I want to talk to people, not shout at them. I'm more of a listener than a talker.

Definitely an introvert (INFJ) here, but can easily be "on" for work. But restoring my energy takes time alone. And I'm perfectly content spending time by myself or with 1 or 2 other people. Several years ago I led a few training sessions on introverts as leaders, and enjoyed being able to share with others the strengths introverts bring to the table.

I'm very much a loner. Too much work putting myself out there.

I am definitely a loner introvert and more so since Covid. I look back at my diaries from a few decades ago and see that most days of the week there was something going on. The thought now exhausts me. But I just returned from a dog walk and met a neighbor and his lab and we had a long 15-minute conversation. I don't know his first name but the dog is Chester.

Social or anti-social is not the real measure of introversion or not. Rather it's whether or not social situations give you energy or drain you of energy. I'm an introvert. I can meet new people, socialize and be open and pleasant, but it drains my energy. I need alone and quiet time to recharge. People I know who are extroverts get energized when they are with other people and find it draining to be alone.

Annie described it well. Being an introvert doesn't mean that you are shy, or don't l like parties or can't start a conversation with a stranger. I'm not shy, I love parties and I'm always first to start a conversation with a new person in my life.

But boy, do I ever need my alone time to gather my thoughts and to reflect on things.

"Social or anti-social is not the real measure of introversion or not. Rather it's whether or not social situations give you energy or drain you of energy."

I think these are the same ideas, words commonly used loosely and interchangeably. Shorthand for the sentiments you've described and also individuals' inclinations for or against such situations whether they find them enjoyable, easy and energizing or difficult, uncomfortable, draining. Want it more often, less often.

I understand introverts tend to be somewhat more introspective than extroverts. That's something more easily done when alone.

I find myself to be rather sensitive to other people's moods, too. That can be tiring.

An extrovert! I miss all the doings with my friends at the Senior Center. Miss talking to people. I'm one who will start up a conversation with just about anyone!

When this pandemic is over.....LOOK OUT WORLD!

whether they find them enjoyable, easy and energizing or difficult, uncomfortable, draining.

Not necessarily as I find entertaining enjoyable, reasonably easy but very draining.

An introvert definitely. But sometimes I fight it. I don't like to be defined or labeled so I challenge myself to be around people. I am better as long as I very slowly incorporate others into my life. Covid has stopped most of it but I will resume afterwards.

Introvert. I don't like parties, get-togethers where I'm forced to make small talk. I hate talking about myself. Tell me about yourself type questions.

Hubby and I loved each other's company. We did what we had to do...family gatherings, social events etc, but always looked forward to coming home and just hanging out. I was fortunate to have that closeness.

I like being at home, have a few close friends who I go walking with, shopping etc, but I don't crave being around people.

Introvert--extremely so growing up. It has taken me a lifetime to overcome it somewhat. I am now able to participate in groups, gatherings, etc. and have about a dozen close friends with which I regularly meet individually for lunch and conversation. These are one of my greatest blessings in widowhood. All of these friends would be surprised that I am an introvert.

I am now able to introduce myself and welcome newcomers to my church services, initiate phone calls or lunch dates with others; however, I'd be just as happy alone in my garden or reading a good book, listening to Huey Lewis on Youtube or making cards for the sick, shut-ins or for birthdays.

Introvert. And why is it looked at like a bad thing? sweet-betsy mentions overcoming it. What is there to overcome?

Yes, I am an INFP. As I get older I see it in myself more and more. Love people but much prefer smaller group socializing rather than a big party. I can be with a small group of friends on vacation for days without much need for a break. However when I am entertaining any group beyond close family or close friends, I always wish I could sneak off in the middle of everything and get 15 minutes to myself.

Meeting up with a couple of close friends does seem to energize me, but anything beyond that I need time to ”recover”. While I enjoy my time alone, too much time in my cocoon without friends makes me sad. I do best with a balance.

What's to overcome is that being a loner is not the best nor is an inability to be alone. So the optimum is to strike a balance as there's much to be gained from both alone time and from social time too. As with so many things in life, balance is key...all things in moderation.

I guess i don't look at introverts as being loners.

Introvert. I've made progress, but I still dread meeting new people.

Introverts are not loners nor are they shy. Those are all different things. They value their alone time but it doesn't make them loners and there is nothing to overcome.

A friend of mine calls herself an extrovert but she isn't. She just likes to hear herself talk and she talks over everyone and dominants all conversations. That doesn't make her an extrovert but it just makes her rude and loud.

I don't believe innate introverts need to overcome anything. No one should have to force themselves to go against their nature to "fit in". As long as you don't cause harm, live your life the way you want and do what makes you happy.

If it's making you unhappy, perhaps it's shyness, not introversion.

Both, for every four hours I'm enjoying people with good energy, I, then, need five hours to myself.

I agree with bifenton, shy and introvert are two different things. I've always been an introvert, loved books and happy to do things alone. That was reinforced by my parents who believed children should be well-behaved, as in" seen, but not heard". Growing up I was also extremely shy. My husband was friendly, outgoing and loved talking to people. I learned from him how to talk to strangers, and that I could actually enjoy it. I'm still an introvert, being around people exhausts me, and I still like being alone, but I'm not shy anymore.

Elmer, I was a professional salesperson for many years. I got into it partially because my natural inclination is to be somewhat of a loner. I thought it was good to do work that brought me around people. But there were times I would find myself at parties making small talk, pretending to be interested in the other person and think, "Why am I doing this for free? I get paid to do this."

Sure jupidupi, I see no contradiction from what you say. No one is wholly at one end or the other of the spectrum. How I described it is consistent with people I know, at both ends. Others have other experiences.

I'm not sure feeling trapped with boring people in a small talk situation has anything to do with a particular person's inclination. I love meeting people, I love getting to know others and chatting about everything and everything, but I have zero interest in or toleration for people who are boring and or brain dead.

If you sit next to me on a plane, I'll be friendly for a few minutes and after that, I really have nothing to say. Same with someone standing next to me in a line but then I'm even more curt. I'm cordial and then I'm done. As I described before, talking and meeting others ISN'T like oxygen for me, I don't crave it or need it indiscriminately.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the book Quiet, The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain. Very interesting book. My book club read it and it sparked a lively discussion.

I've read that and that's when I discovered what an introvert is and realized that being an introvert is okay.

We also discussed it for bookclub and the friend that I referenced above really didn't/doesn't get it but many extroverts don't. She said that all introverts should be accountants as that's the best place for them. Say what?

Exactly, blfenton!!!! Nothing to "get over".

On the Briggs-Myers test, I am ENTP, and the results are 60% extrovert, 40% introvert, and so I am not extreme in this respect. I do like crowds, and I do like going to parties, and I will talk to anyone who talks to me. My brother is very much an introvert, however, and he does not like talking to strangers. I'm ambivalent about that but certainly do not mind it, although I do not generally go out of my way to talk to strangers, unless something about them intrigues me.

The opposite of ENTP is ISFJ, which is subtitled "accountant," whereas ENTP is also called "inventor." In general, I do not have good relationships with accountants, although they are supposed to complement my personality. However, I tend to find them dull and boring, even if necessary. We rarely agree on anything.

I am very much an introvert....however, I can easily meet people, make conversations with strangers, and have no problem socially interacting. I can get up and give a talk on one of my " subjects".... water gardening and waterlilies, for example, but given my druthers, I prefer to stay home and putter around. Maybe you can call it self absorbed. I like to be alone. I always have things to do. I do miss Jody very much, but I am fortunate that I have to get up every day and take care of my horses and other animals. Otherwise I might be tempted to stay in bed all day.

I can relate to what Charles Bukowski said....this is probably not a direct quote...but "it is not that I dislike people, I just feel better when they aren't around."

I don't know that people drain my energy...I am not sure exactly what that means, but I will purposely try to avoid people so I can go about and do the things I enjoy doing around the place.

At this stage of my life, my favorite thing is to stay home. I think that is why covid bothered me very little. I do not purposely hang out with a lot of people. I have almost no family and I moved here about 19 months ago, so I don't know many people, but those I have met have been very kind. I just don't feel the need for really close friends.

But I grew up with no sibs....they were already grown and gone when I was born.

Jody worked long hours, usually 7 days a week, so I have always been by myself a lot. I don't feel like I have much in common with other women. And even less, the older I get.

But I am probably happier and more content than most people. I enjoy the things I do, and I don't need other people to make me happy.

I’m going to comment before reading. I’m still (finally) trying to figure myself out.

Extrovert. I'll talk to anyone....but I want common interests.

I'm basically an introvert and fortunately, DH is very similar. I enjoy social interactions and having conversations, even with a stranger, but I don't like doing this for long periods of time. I feel uncomfortable if social interactions are taking time away from my time alone when I can focus on activities (or non-activities) of my own choosing. DH and I are spending more time together than ever before because of Covid, and I am grateful that we each have our favorite rooms of the house to spend most of our time. Post-Covid, I likely will begin attending plays and performances, and entertaining guests. For now, we both happily reject life as "social butterflies."

I am an ambivert, in some situations I am an extrovert, otherwise and introvert.

"The opposite of ENTP is ISFJ, which is subtitled "accountant,""

As someone who was nominally an accountant (but who didn't do accounting work), I think the characterization is inaccurate. The descriptions of that "type" I would say are typical of what I'd call a "worker bee". Someone who likes being given instructions for what to do and otherwise is happiest with structure, repetition and predictability. In most professional careers, those who are more capable rise to managerial positions and even business ownership and entrepreneurial levels, especially in the private sector. That's true of the wide spectrum of skills and expertise that sit under a broad and misleading title of accountant. Someone with the ISFJ characteristics wouldn't rise much above an entry level, worker bee status.

"I don't believe innate introverts need to overcome anything. No one should have to force themselves to go against their nature to "fit in". As long as you don't cause harm, live your life the way you want and do what makes you happy."

That may be true in an ideal world, but the reality is that people who are most successful tend to be extroverts as they are more often noticed, remembered, and have greater exposure to others. They are more likely to be advanced in organizations. Studies done have shown that even though someone may be more competent, s/he is more likely to be passed over for the less competent but more socially ept candidate.

It's not that anyone is necessarily "forcing anyone" to fit in, but if they want to achieve certain goals in life, then they may have to acquire skills that are not innate to them.

^^ I was primarily referring to introvert personal lives which we can live any way we want. There is no need to be a social butterfly just because the majority are.

Obviously, many of us must socialize to a certain extent at work. And many of us are very proficient at putting on an extrovert front. But from what I have observed, introverts are probably less likely to want to attain positions which require constant social interaction, or even frequent social interaction.

However, if they do want to engage in work politics to climb the corporate ladder, I am sure they will force themselves to do so.

I agree with Annie.

Another thought is that this is all on a sliding scale right? Most of us have parts of all of these characteristics.

For myself I also like to broaden myself as a person.

It's not that I dislike being an introvert it's that I like and enjoy challenging my introverted character. I dislike living in angst more than disliking stretching my nature. It's part of my desire to be flexible went dealing with other people and situations.

Monty Python: Chartered Accountant Sketch

This is probably the ISFJ type of accountant. I do not doubt that there are other types of accountants.

I dislike living in angst more than disliking stretching my nature. It's part of my desire to be flexible went dealing with other people and situations.

I think you are confusing social anxiety with introversion. Preferring to not socialize a lot is not "living in angst".

I'm an introvert. I can be around people for a while, but then I need lots of time to myself. I guess I'm friendly though. Strangers often talk to me and I'm not afraid of conversations with them. Then I go home and need my peace and quiet again.

Covid has been somewhat hard in that everyone was back home all of the time and didn't leave. I was used to being alone here. Everyone, but me had an encampment where they could be alone. I can't even hide out in the bathroom or walk outside without one of them coming with me.

Extrovert. Tested as an ESTJ and have also tested as an ESTP so I reside in the middle of J and P.

I am sure they will force themselves to do so.

I'm not sure that anyone can actually change their innate nature. I don't think I could change anything to derive energy from being with people vs. recharging my batteries alone. Rather it's about acquiring the traits of the other to achieve a more balanced lifestyle or to achieve certain goals be they personal or work oriented.

I hope I did not seem to imply that forcing yourself to do something changes your nature. It certainly does not. It just allows you to do something you would normally not be inclined to do, because you derive a benefit from doing it. As in climbing the corporate ladder, promotions, etc.

I can socialize with the best of them, but I am not motivated to it unless I have a compelling reason/incentive.

"I do not doubt that there are other types of accountants."

Sorry lars but this is a stupefying comment. Humorous and uninformed stereotypes exist for all kinds of things and all kinds of people.

You "don't doubt there are other types of accountants"? Dig just a bit deeper or realize your personal exposure is limited should you find yourself puzzled by any kind of ridiculous stereotype.

Some people never fail to impress me with their sensitivity and social skills 😊

Bottom line, introversion and extroversion refers to the ways in which one recharges their batteries - rebuilds their energy. Like everything else, there are stereotypes that are hugely inaccurate, as well as a multitude of things that are common to many introverts, but not necessarily all. Even introverts themselves differ from each other; all introverts are not quiet in crowds, for example. But recovery from expending energy requires downtime - this is the identifying commonality among introverts. For some, we see no desire to want to become an extrovert, whereas for some introverts the desire to do so exists, which may cause them pain or discomfort. Both are fine.