When I was a kid, people always told me I was shy, and then a teacher told me that shyness was just arrogance, because I expected people to be paying attention to me, so I interacted more after that. Which, obviously I was not shy, just introverted, and the teacher was a bitch.

ETA - "Their cognitive fatigue testifies to the fact that "acting counter-dispositionally is depleting."" is the truest thing ever. I can be as socially gregarious as you like, but I will have a limit and I will need to sit quietly and maybe nap afterwards. That shit is work.

I know I'm not an introvert, but after a lot of socializing, I need a quiet night or two hermiting.

I'm not sure if I'm more on the shy side, or introvert side.

I think that the difference is that shy people want to interract, but are unable to, but introverts just don't want to interact.

eta:

I know I'm not an introvert, but after a lot of socializing, I need a quiet night or two hermiting.

Me too, and my psychologist friend says that's what makes me an introvert, not how you act, but how you recharge.

I am a shy extrovert.

OMG I said I'd phonebank tonight but I am still exhausted and feeling slightly nauseated. How shitty am I if I cancel?

Me too, and my psychologist friend says that's what makes me an introvert, not how you act, but how you recharge.

Huh. Really? Because in no universe would I describe myself as an introvert. I just also need time to myself every now and then.

Um, everyone needs time to themselves. But after a weekend (since Thursday night) where he longest I was alone was one streetcar ride to and from lunch on Friday? The only thing I miss is my bed, not alone time. Though I'll be perfectly happy to have some, I'm not craving it. But I do, sometimes...

(eta: am agreeing that even extroverts need aloneness. This extrovert needs sleep, mostly...)

I would guess everyone needs some kind of balance between being social and being alone and can get too much of either. The question is, in general, when you are low on energy, which is more liable to perk you up, being alone or being with people? That's how it was explained to me.

I am classic introvert: being around people, even when it is fun, just exhausts me.

The question is, in general, when you are low on energy, which is more liable to perk you up, being alone or being with people? That's how it was explained to me.

Okay that makes sense. Except that both things will perk me up. It varies. (This is more proof that I'm a cartoon, isn't it?)

I think that the difference is that shy people want to interract, but are unable to, but introverts just don't want to interact.

I'm perfectly happy being a hermit at home. But once out with folks, I stay a long time. But then, recharge time. I dunno. I say shy because I get flustered easy, especially when talking with a gal I find interesting.

I took a free online test, it says I'm:
I - N - T - J
89 62 25 67

When I was a kid, people always told me I was shy, and then a teacher told me that shyness was just arrogance, because I expected people to be paying attention to me, so I interacted more after that. Which, obviously I was not shy, just introverted, and the teacher was a bitch.

Ew. Yeah. I have a severe fear that people don't actually like me or want to be around me, so asking people if they want to do things with me is almost undoable. I'm also afraid that people who I don't know very well, and who I am hanging out with for the first few times I am convinced I am irritating them.

A friend of mine (also a teacher) said it was arrogance. And, I'm pretty sure it's the opposite. Did some pop psychologist start a thing where shyness is arrogance?