things you should never say to an introvert 9 Things You Should Never Say To An Introvert

I'm an introvert and I'm totally fine with that. I like spending time by myself, I'm very chilled out and I don't feel the need to go out all the time. 

But some people seem to enjoy telling me what's wrong with being an introvert and simply like to point out that I'm quiet. As I'm sure you can guess, these people are pretty damn annoying.

It's easy to feel pressured to act more extroverted and a lot of people feel the need to change introverts as if it's something to be ashamed of.

So just incase you've met an introvert and you want to know how to not piss them off, here are the 9 things you should never to say an introvert. Ever.
things you should never say to an introvert 9 Things You Should Never Say To An Introvert

1. You're Really Quiet

If I had a pound for every time someone has said this to me. This one makes me mad because they're basically insulting you and pointing out a flaw in your character. How would you like it if I turned around and said 'You're really loud.' Would you take that as a compliment? Would it make you feel good? No, you'd be annoyed at someone stating an observation that they don't like about you. 

So what if I'm quiet? Do you really feel the need to point that out to me? Does it make you feel better about yourself or superior in some way? If you have nothing nice to say, keep your opinions to yourself and don't let the fact that I'm quiet bother you to the point you need to make a deal out of it.

Read: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

2. You Need To Come Out Of Your Shell

Sorry, I didn't realise I was a turtle. I don't need to come out of anything, I'm happy in myself and I'm not going to change because I'm not extroverted enough for you or you think I need to be louder or more confident. Maybe you need to get back in your own bloody shell.

3. What's Wrong?

Just because I'm not making as much of a contribution in a conversation doesn't mean there's something wrong. Yes, I might not be the loudest person in the group and I might be more reserved around people I don't know very well, but by you asking me if there's something wrong that just makes the situation awkward and puts pressure on me to talk more when I feel uncomfortable already.

4. Don't Be Shy

If I'm meeting new people, I'm naturally going to be more reserved, hence the introvert part. If you're someone who doesn't understand what being introverted is like, please don't say 'don't be shy' if we're with new people, it's extremely unhelpful and will just make me feel even more uncomfortable about the situation. Instead you could say, 'I can't wait for you to meet these people, they'll love you,' or something other than pointing out a weakness you think I have by being shy.


5. You Need To Push Yourself To Get Out More/Do New Things

I'm not hiding away in some cave, afraid of the world. I actually like working by myself and getting things done in my own time. If I wanted to go out more, I would do that. You may not want to spend time on your own but that doesn't mean everyone else doesn't want to.

6. You Should Be More Like (Insert Sociable/Outgoing Person Here)

No, I don't need to be more like somebody else, you need to be more accepting of me and the fact that I'm introverted. By telling me to be more like somebody else, you're basically saying I'm not good enough and I need to change to be more likeable to you. Sorry but I ain't changing anytime soon.


7. Why Are You So Quiet?

As if it's not bad enough to point out to me that I'm quiet, asking me why I'm quiet is equally as bad. Not only are you making me feel self-conscious but it's almost like a rhetorical question just to point out that I'm quiet. Do you really want an answer or are you just trying to make yourself feel good in this situation? Any introverts who find themselves in this situation, just answer by saying, 'Why do you say that like it's a bad thing?' or 'Why do you feel the need to be rude?'

8. Just Do It/Volunteering Me To Do Things

Please don't push me to do something you can clearly see I'm uncomfortable with. It's totally fine to push yourself to do things but when it's someone else making you do things you don't want to do, it's not ok. I once had someone in high school, who knew I was quite introverted and shy, who volunteered me to the teacher to read out a big section from a book in front of the class. Clearly this person was a top class a**hole and if you ever meet someone who purposely makes you uncomfortable like that, don't give them the time of day.

9. Speak Up More

I don't know if you think you're giving me encouraging advice by telling me to change the way I speak, but it does nothing except make me not like you. If I wanted to speak up more, I would. I'm a good listener by being an introvert and that's what I enjoy doing over 'speaking up' more. 

That sums up the main things people have said to me during my introverted life. Hopefully if you're an introvert you'll be able to relate to this and understand the struggles us introverts face. And hopefully if you're an extrovert or you're someone who has said any of these things to someone, you'll learn to have more respect for people who are different to you and accept that not everyone has to be really loud and outgoing.


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things you should never say to an introvert 9 Things You Should Never Say To An Introvert

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