random nice people i’ve never met – ( photo courtesy of Wright Labs)
—
recently my friend roy, who is a fellow introvert, posted this:
‘as an INTROVERT, I can survive a lot..
but ‘let’s go around the room and introduce ourselves,’
is where I draw the line.’
I so get this.
while I love people, love being around them, and frequently talk to strangers, I much prefer small groups and having real conversations with one or two people rather than big party small talk, get nervous when I know I’m going to be called on, or when public speaking. (if I’m one on one with someone, I can talk for hours, much to their dismay.) when in a big group setting I hang out for a while, find a way to slip out before long using my Irish goodbye technique, and head home to relax and recharge.
another friend who also gets this, a very accomplished woman, was once in this situation and when it was her turn to introduce herself and share one thing, she was so nervous that she blurted out the only thing that came to mind and said, ‘my name is T, and I play with the squirrels in our backyard.’ the room was silent.
—
‘never assume that loud is strong and quiet is weak.’
-author unknown
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When I was an EMT in London I became a union organiser, and that meant speaking to large gatherings of staff, and at union conferences. Overnight, I went from chatting to friends around a dinner table, to addressing meetings of up to 300 people, some of whom would be heckling me as I tried to make my points. I was also interviewed by London TV news reporters, knowing I would be seen and judged by hundreds of thousands of viewers. It was in many ways the best way to face that, the equivalent of being thrown in at the deep end to learn how to swim. Best wishes, Pete.
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amazing, Pete. yes, I’m sure that is the best way –
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I so get this.
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<3
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Yep, I get this
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<3
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Anyone who hangs out with squirrels is fine by me xxx
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same -)
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“If you never assume importance, you never lose it.” ~ Laozi
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very true
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I get through this by realizing that no one is paying attention to what you say. Though the squirrels thing might change my opinion of that
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ha, so true –
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Equating loud or quiet with strength. Love that quote. So true and people confuse the two all the time!!!!
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yes –
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I am a cocktail of opposites, including introversion and extroversion. Sometimes, it drives my lovely wife bonkers.
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yes, I’m in that gray area for sure –
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Love this
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<3
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I am also like this but perhaps for different reasons.
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we each have our ways to get through the world
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Yes, we do
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.
– – – ‘my name is T, and I play with the squirrels in our backyard.’ the room was silent. – – –
I would immediately like this person! Being original is beautiful! 🤗
.
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she’s great and she had so many amazing things to choose from and I’m actually proud that the squirrels are what popped into her head –
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Hey, I’m sitting over here in the corner at a polite distance. I can see and hear everything, I’m not bothering you, so just leave me alone please. Thank you.
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)))
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grew up lacking confidence in myself so hated being put on the spot. as an adult I found topics I was passionate about and started teaching. when something is meaningful you often feel more capable.
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absolutely and as a teacher I could talk about anything that I believed in teaching
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This world is too noisy Beth.
I am on the quiet side myself 🤗 bothering no one 😄
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I love to laugh, to talk to people, but there are some situations….)
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perfect response.
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I so agree –
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I always hated that too, introducing myself to a group of people. Now I have no problem with it. For me it was being shy really.
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I am an extrovert but dislike icebreakers. When I was about 30, I told a seminar audience of strangers: I am Geoff Stamper and my favorite activity is eating.
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