Introverts feel INFERIOR to Extroverts. True?

8819 Views 42 Replies 28 Participants Last post by tanstaafl28, Feb 12, 2021

ivorynightgown

Discussion Starter · Aug 5, 2010

Im an introvert and i feel inferior to extroverts. A group of extroverts sitting together (gossipping usually) really look like a tiger mouth to me, i never know how to be that 'cool' chick who can just walk up to the group and tap in the conversation like nobody's problem.

Any of you introverts feel the same?

~INFPian~

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sinistralpal

· #2 · Aug 5, 2010

I think it's an INFx thing....

Actually can't really be sure about ISxP's

But, I know ISxJ's pretty much keep going about their business getting shit done, and INTx's don't WANT anyone around them. They basically have their "fuck off" faces on all day. They revel in being introverted.

Thus, I think the four Jungian types play a bigger role than anything else.

Reactions: 2

amanda32

· #3 · Aug 5, 2010

No, I do that when I'm in the mood. It just takes practice.

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skycloud86

· #4 · Aug 5, 2010

Why feel inferior to them? They aren't superior to you in any way, they just prefer to talk to others in a social environment whilst you prefer to be more introspective and be by yourself. The only possible reason you could have for feeling inferior is that you yourself wish to be extroverted - or more extroverted than you currently are - and if this is the case, I'm sure people will haev some good ideas on how to develop your Extroversion.

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ivorynightgown

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 5, 2010

skycloud86 said:
Why feel inferior to them? They aren't superior to you in any way, they just prefer to talk to others in a social environment whilst you prefer to be more introspective and be by yourself. The only possible reason you could have for feeling inferior is that you yourself wish to be extroverted - or more extroverted than you currently are - and if this is the case, I'm sure people will haev some good ideas on how to develop your Extroversion.

Hmm...im not sure if i want to be more extrovert than i already am, i think im content with my 'introvertness'. The main reason i feel inferior is because there have been instances where when i approach them, the momentum of their discussions becomes lower; as if there was a signal saying "i wasnt supposed to be here". Not sure if thats what they were thinking, but that what i was thinking ;p

sinistralpal

· #6 · Aug 5, 2010

ivorynightgown said:
Hmm...im not sure if i want to be more extrovert than i already am, i think im content with my 'introvertness'. The main reason i feel inferior is because there have been instances where when i approach them, the momentum of their discussions becomes lower; as if there was a signal saying "i wasnt supposed to be here". Not sure if thats what they were thinking, but that what i was thinking ;p

That's cuz you are an INFP darling. It's ok. Hang out with me, and I will cover for you.

Darkestblue

· #7 · Aug 5, 2010

Being an introvert, I really do prefer to just listen instead of being part of the conversation. It's who I am. I love being who I am.

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ivorynightgown

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 5, 2010

definitely

sinistralpal said:
That's cuz you are an INFP darling. It's ok. Hang out with me, and I will cover for you.

Haha! Yea i sure will hangout with u so that u can cover for me. But,what type of an ENTP who likes being seen hanging out with an an INFP?? i'll just make u look like a loser among the ENTPians hehe:dry:

Riy

· #9 · Aug 5, 2010

I usually just prefer to listen but sometimes I can't help myself with witty temptations when they pop up.

Though I find it hard to join a group of people that I've just met or don't know, I have to be around them for awhile before I start jumping in, where some of my friends can get involved with nearly anyone any time no problem.

I don't feel Inferior to them what so ever, Just a different ways of doing things. :tongue:

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Paradigm

· #10 · Aug 5, 2010

sinistralpal said:
That's cuz you are an INFP darling. It's ok. Hang out with me, and I will cover for you.

A good reason ENTPs are brilliant to hang out with: they're very good at covering our butts during lulls! And sometimes even notice when we need to be quiet for a while.

Anyway... Inferior? No. Not at all. There's a difference between feeling inferior and wishing to be more comfortable in social situations. I do wish that I could talk to people with more confidence, but plenty of extroverts feel the same way. I'm perfectly fine with needing to be by myself for a portion of the day, so I don't feel bad about that.

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Azura Nova

· #11 · Aug 5, 2010

sinistralpal said:
That's cuz you are an INFP darling. It's ok. Hang out with me, and I will cover for you.

I have an ENTP friend and when we are in a group she steals the conversation and pretty much forgets about me. She's very talented in becoming a part of any conversation ^^ and I am just the opposite.

I have felt inferior to extroverts sometimes but yeah it's ridiculous. Honestly I don't really feel inferior but I get paranoid in groups or in public and I feel that everyone is judging me for being alone or not talking a lot. Most extroverts I have talked to do not understand introversion at all; they think I'm antisocial or just way too shy (I'm shy but not to the extreme).

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BrooklynBoy

· #12 · Aug 5, 2010

No, I don't feel inferior to extraverts. I will join in with a conversation I find interesting, otherwise I would just rather be alone with my thoughts or read an interesting book.

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Nixu

· #13 · Aug 5, 2010

Usually I don't feel inferior to extroverts, but there are moments when they just overwhelm me. I think it's partially also because I think carefully before I say anything; it sometimes makes others think I am slow or stupid, and get treated like that.

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Away With Fairies

· #14 · Aug 5, 2010

Sometimes I just want to talk to one person in a group, but in order to approach them I have to bust in the group, which I really don't know how to do without feeling rude. It reminds me of when I used to jump rope with two other girls turning the rope. I rarely knew when to "jump in" without tripping, and then I screwed up the whole rhythm of the game.

And THAT's why I'm usually home with a book.:dry:

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SenhorFrio

· #15 · Aug 5, 2010

no not all all. we're equal to or greater than most of them

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cavarice

· #16 · Aug 5, 2010

jinamuro said:
Being an introvert, I really do prefer to just listen instead of being part of the conversation. It's who I am. I love being who I am.

I am the same way. I find that this is a poorly understood phenomena - there are many well-intentioned people who have a difficult time comprehending that it's even possible for someone genuinely ENJOY a passive role in conversation, as opposed to the typical view that they're just bad at getting their voice in.

There are many occasions in which I enjoy having a blabbermouth around just going yap yap yap at for much of the conversation; it's less work on my part and probably pleases the other person's desire to be listened to.

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Briseis

· #17 · Aug 5, 2010

I don't feel inferior to extraverts, I just feel exhausted if I am around them for too long.

I used to feel "lacking" though, when I was younger. Don't feel that way now. I used to feel like I had to "be" a certain way to fit in with others. Like I had to compete or something. It was a real feeling, and I suffered a lot.

Now I know the equally worthwhile contribution of introversion, and just see myself as having a different flow of energy. I am still there, a real person, even if I am not one of the "ones" speaking up and getting all the attention. I don't want it anyway. I want to feel important like the next person, and I am important, just not in an in-your-face kind of way.

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GailStrife

· #18 · Aug 5, 2010

ivorynightgown said:
Hmm...im not sure if i want to be more extrovert than i already am, i think im content with my 'introvertness'. The main reason i feel inferior is because there have been instances where when i approach them, the momentum of their discussions becomes lower; as if there was a signal saying "i wasnt supposed to be here". Not sure if thats what they were thinking, but that what i was thinking ;p

awww, i hate that feeling! Just thinking back on moments like those makes me want to go curl up by myself somewhere :sad:

And yeah, I've always tended to feel inferior to extroverts, but I attributed that to growing up in a culture where extroverts were praised and held up as an example of the "better" thing to be. Until i started reading about the different types i kind of thought something was missing or broken in me because I couldn't be like the extroverts. I still wish i could be more outgoing.

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Psilo

· #19 · Aug 5, 2010

Disclaimer, generalized statements ahead, not all extraverts etc etc etc

There are kinds of extraverts that have the amazing ability to make me feel slow, stupid, and out of place. I used to feel inferior, but I'm much more comfortable with myself than I used to be. However, these people far outpace me in conversation, and seem impatient when I try to take my time and when I start trying to explain something that takes a bit to explain.

These tend to be the same people who want to help by "pulling me out of my shell." It's easy to start feeling like something is wrong when the people around you keep trying to 'fix' you. These are the same people that ask "Why don't you talk?" which is just curiosity, I know, but it is also a spotlight.

Even worse, but much rarer, are those who delight in my social awkwardness. Those who treat me like a toy, or tell me I'm cute (in that condescending sort of way). Those who go out of their way to make me feel uncomfortable because it's funny. I haven't run into these kinds since I graduated high school, or maybe I can just deal with the bullshit better.

Funny thing is, I've had the kinds of the former tell me that I can be intimidating. I'm a tiny girl, I weigh 95 pounds and am around 5'5'', so intimidating is not a word I expect to be used to describe me. Apparently, to some, the quiet calm thing is unnerving. I don't know why. No one has elaborated. Just changing perspectives here. I've had one extravert tell me, "You must think I'm pathetic that I need constant company. You have it so together, but I just can't take being alone like that!"

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Vaka

· #20 · Aug 5, 2010

^ I've been in those same situations mainly because I've been socially awkward for most of my life. But I never really cared much about it. I got nicknamed the 'quiet girl' in my school lol
I think I'm much better now, though. Not that I think being socially awkward is the same thing as being introverted, but it has put me in the same situations as I kinda zone out and stay in my head in those situations where I feel awkward and uncomfortable...

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