Re:The Introvert's Networking Survival Guide: Large Events
by winestock on Thursday September 06, 2012 @04:52PM
(#4486174)
There's nothing wrong with being introverted. That doesn't mean that it doesn't have costs.
Re:The Introvert's Networking Survival Guide: Large Events
by CamperBob2 on Thursday September 06, 2012 @07:14PM
(#4486807)
Trying very hard to be something you're not also has costs.
Re:The Introvert's Networking Survival Guide: Large Events
by gadders on Friday September 07, 2012 @05:39AM
(#4488309)
True, but no-one is expecting it to be 24/7. I think you just have to exert a different set of skills for a limited time period.
When you're alone and coding, you exert your powers of concentration and focus.
When you're in a social situation, be social.
I'd call myself an introvert, but I can certainly charm and interact with the best of them. I just need some quiet time afterwards to recover :-)
To force yourself to reach out, to me, implies that there's something wrong with being an introvert (or wallflower).
I don't like the idea of admitting that such a natural state of being is in any way abnormal or wrong.
It always seems like introverts don't mind being in a world of extroverts, they just find methods to cope. Extroverts, though, seem to view introverts as "weird" or "shy", somehow incomplete shells of a person. At least, that's my experience.
I never see someone trying to make an extrovert more introverted; but I consistently see the opposite.
To answer your question: I do like to reach out, but for different reasons. It seems extroverts want to reach out for the sake of making contact. -- They're OK with just having drinks, games, making small talk, etc.
As an introvert, I'd rather go to get some mental engagement. I'd go because there's something I can learn from the meetup or it's a meetup surrounding an interesting activity.
It's not about being with people. -- It's about what those people represent [cultures, ideas, insight, knowledge].