Lois & Clark Forums Forums General Discussion Off Topic Personality types

It's been over 20 years since I last took the Meyers-Briggs. Back then it was considered bad to be an introvert... almost to the point of mental illness... at least, that's the way us Introverts were treated, as if we had a malady that needed to be treated and gotten rid of. (That's the only part of the scale I remember getting.)

I don't like crowds, parties, entertaining people, and talking to strangers. I prefer being by myself or with my family than strangers and others. Because of this, I have difficulty making and keeping friends, because when I do I finally come out of my shell and feel like I can be myself, it tends to scare people off. Because my real personality (as you all by now have figured out) is rather opinionated. What I consider a lively discussion, others consider an argument. Needless to say, I'm better communicating by written word than in person, because I usually am two steps behind the oral conversation before I think of something which I can contribute. Because as an Introvert I'm good at listening, therefore, people find it easy to talk to me; that is, until I feel comfortable enough to speak up.

As I said to someone recently, I hate interviewing for jobs. While I can probably do any job I would interview for, the process of interviewing is my weakest link. I don't make a good first impression, because I don't like speaking with strangers, and bragging about myself or pushing myself and my personality on others, which are all the requirements of a good job interview. Getting back out there after 10 years of being a stay-at-home-mom terrifies me. Networking is for Extroverts, which also puts us Introverts at a disadvantage in the job market.

I'm not an shy as I used to be 25-30 years ago, because I've forced myself to be more outgoing. I can say 'hi' to others in line at the post office and to smile and talk to the grandma who has to say how adorable my children are, but this has taken me YEARS of practice and hard work. Small talk is still extremely painful for me, though. Often when I go to parties, I still only speak to one or two people.

Extroverts I've noticed are painfully unable to be by themselves. They NEED the social interaction of others to feel comfortable. This is why the cell phone market has taken off. It gives those extroverts, who don't know how to deal with the quiet solitude of waiting in line, being stuck in traffic, or watching their kid's swim class a way to keep in touch either by phone or text, so they don't feel so alone. My sister who is the most extrovert person in our family (although, she's probably closer to the midpoint between Introvert and Extrovert, if that's possible) cannot drive in her car by herself without calling someone. I think it's because she cannot stand to be by herself; although, I bet she would argue that it is the only time she has to make such phone calls.

I read recently someone describing the difference between Introverts and Extroverts in a way that FINALLY made sense to me. Extroverts are more relaxed being around others, while Introverts need time to themselves to relax.

The problem is that the other's POV seems so alien to one it makes it difficult to understand the other group. For example: when visiting my sister recently, her boyfriend could not understand why my husband and I wanted to go out to dinner just the two of us *on our anniversary* instead of going as a huge group.

What do you think? Would you describe Lois and Clark as Introverts or Extroverts? What about Jimmy and Perry? I'll hold my judgement until some others chime in. (See, opinionated. )