I'm an introvert. I am able to be gregarious and outgoing, but it takes a lot of effort, and I definitely need some quiet time after to "recharge". I enjoy being with friends, but I find large groups and/or strangers intimidating. People who don't know me well are sometimes surprised by my sense of humour (which can be wicked!), because it can take a while to make an appearance.

My dh is 100% extrovert. I sometimes tell people that the only thing he requires in an conversation partner is a pulse, LOL.

Carrie

I perceive myself as "Neutral".

I love bein' in groups, jokin' around, etc.
Also love just being alone & doin' "Home" things!

As you all know too....I Looooovve "Rockin' the H$ll out"!!

Faron

Total introvert, sometimes to the point of being almost socially phobic. Most people who know me "in real life" would never guess that about me, though. From my earliest days I've been extremely introverted, shy, introspective, and requiring a lot of time just being by myself. Over the years I've more or less trained myself to be friendly and outgoing, but I'll admit that I don't always feel like making the effort, even though I usually do.

I'm with faron. I think I'm pretty much in the middle. Love to hang out with groups of friends, but I also really enjoy alone time!

I'm with you Carriem -- Introvert (who can be extroverted sometimes) married to a total extrovert.

I can imitate an extrovert extremely well ( great social skills, worked as a journalist, can talk to anyone), but I have to be able to recharge alone. Shyness isn't always an indicator of introversion, though.

But everyone, it seems, claims to be an introvert on the internets. And was bullied in high school. And loves Star Wars and Legos.

Here is a link that might be useful: Caring for your introvert

I'm an extrovert but I still enjoy my alone times.

I relate to many of the above responses, I'm an introvert married to an extrovert. But I can be very social when needed, I just don't feel the need to be with people all the time ( DH needs a lot of attention when we are together).

Circumstances in my life trained me to be independent and on my own a lot,
and I really enjoy my company and my alone time. Crave it actually.
I've had to let go certain girlfriends because they needed my attention too much,
I just can't be a bff to anyone. DH and my kids are my priority and I highly enjoy their company, but when mitchdesj is alone for days on end, no problem keeping myself entertained and happy.

I absolutely, positively could have written what Auntjen wrote! Amazing!

I scored so high on as an introvert on the Myers Brigg, that only two more points were even possible to attain. I'm really introverted.

As I age I fantasize about being a hermit! I'm not even in the workforce, like AJ. I already spend most of my time alone, but imagine that even more would be better. I know it's not healthy though, to retreat and withdraw into my own world all the time, so I do make an effort to be social.

Communing with plants, animals and quiet is what I love the most. I live in the suburbs though, with a sidewalk in front of my house and seemingly endless throngs of people are always walking, jogging, biking, pushing a stroller or skating by. Many of them like to stop and talk. I like talking to most of them too. But small doses of social interaction like that are about right for me. I can spend an entire day with a friend, nice as they may be, only once in a while!

I'm more extrovert as I'm sort of a free spirit but, for every five hours I'm with people, I need five to be alone. I love to socialize but only in doses. I love my home and don't mind being inside doing my own thing. So I guess we're all a bit of in and ex.

Online I'm in the middle, maybe more of an extrovert.

IRL, If I know you well, I'm chatty cathy and laugh a lot.

If I don't know you well, then I kind of clam up because I'm an awful conversation starter.

Introvert except when I'm in a room full of other introverts and then I become the extrovert. When I sense another person's discomfort I go out of my way to "entertain" them so they'll open up more. If I'm around extroverts then I relax into my natural state of being the wall flower. lol. As long as someone at a gathering is the extrovert I'm content so I don't have to step into that roll...mainly so the party won't be a bomb.

With people I know well I am a really chatty-cathy and a joker, but I'm not one to strike up a casual conversation with someone new. I keep my guard up until I feel safe to let it down.

This topic kind of supports a story I read a few years ago.

It seems that people who partake on message boards are mostly introverts in real life, and it's a place where "we" can talk freely and not feel like we're in a room full of people thinking they're looking at us. lol.

I think on message boards, people may be more open - because you don't know those you are posting with. I think there are those who portray themselves as someone different on message boards. You are anonymous and free to be who you want. That doesn't appeal to me, although there are times I have probably said more than I would say to someone in person.

I am a people person - so mostly an extrovert with some introverted tendencies. I am social but do not like crowds. I do not like being the center of attention. Close friends, I love dearly and love spending time with. Same with family. Love getting together with family and/or friends. But I also cherish my alone time, or moreso, time with hubby - at home. Privacy is very important to me. I would have a hard time with Stinky's situation - having my home that open to others. My home time is just that MY (our) time. I sometimes have a hard time with others intruding on that. Because I am a social person, I have continued to stay in my job. I know I would miss the social aspect plus the need of something outside home and family to occupy some of my time. Recently I've been thinking of working fewer days and possibly closer to home. Something to think about!

tina

I'm an extrovert . . . but one who doesn't need ~ or even like~ to be surrounded by people all the time. I like my quiet time at home alone a lot! But, I do feel very comfortable in group situations, speaking in front of a group, talking with tv reporters, chairing meetings and organizations, etc. I've been told all my life that I'm a natural born leader. I think it comes from my being the oldest of a large group of sibs.
Lynn

My husband is an extrovert and there are several extroverts in his family- they love to give big parties, etc. I have always felt kind of guilty for not wanting to do this. I will go to parties, though, but I don't really enjoy them.

I read a book that is helpful and validating called "Introvert Power"

I liked the article ideefixe linked, and I loved this statement from it: it's not a choice, it's not a lifestyle, it's an orientation... that is so true, I think!

A real extrovert. I love connecting with people and forming relationships. I meet people easily and am not self-conscious or shy. I like public speaking and never hesitate to speak up. When I was young, I was quite shy. But I always enjoyed being around people and have always had a large circle of friends.

I'm the oldest of a large group of siblings, like Lynn.

Introvert. Infj. nuff said.

Hey, Bumblebeez! I'm an INFP! That "J" of yours probably helps you better cope with the real world!

Haha Stinky! I don't know about coping, but I'm glad you're an inf too!
I think the P part of you makes you more flexible.

Wildly extroverted. Hit the peg on the Myers Brigg test once on the questions that gauge extroversion, scoring 100%. But I'm close to 50/50 on the J (feeling)/P (perceiving) metric, usually leaning slightly towards "judging". That is, I'm usually found to be a ENFJ but once was an ENFP. Always scored very high for intuition (makes sense) but the moderately high scores for Feeling continue to surprise me. I think that widely-used test does a good job at detecting the four attributes it measures, but that those aren't enough to gauge someone's complete personality type. I know other ENFJs who are nothing at all like me. I've taken other personality tests that measure more like 18 attributes such as competitiveness (I have little), jealousy (I have none whatsoever), sensuality (mine spikes off the scale), or overall intelligence (meh), and these give a more complete picture.

I just find it soothing to talk with other people alot, keep up with their lives and bounce my thoughts off of them. Friends and strangers alike. When I'm alone I feel like I'm wilting.

I've been known to host parties for 100+ people, but I'm not at all an attention seeker though, and do need some alone time. Why are there so many articles & books written for introverts (like the two mentioned above) but none for extroverts? Are we supposedly too bored to read?

Super introvert! I have had a house full of people all weekend and I am totally exhausted. I love my friends and family, but I am so drained by these get-togethers.

I recently took the Myers-Briggs again, and I am also an INFJ. Apparently it is one of the rarest "types", so it is interesting to see others here.

And my "I" score was 100%!

:)
Jen

Public speaking to me is the equivalent of a firing squad so I have always assumed I was an introvert.

I had no idea what the Myers-Briggs was so I took this "test" (not extremely scientific I'm sure, but it was fun!) on line and the results were that I am an INTJ.

Funny how it shows almost the same traits as my sign, Virgo.

Here is a link that might be useful: Humanmetrics

Funny...I'm definitely more of an extrovert, naturally (although I can never remember my Meyers-Briggs results), but I *wish* I could be more introverted sometimes and not reach out to connect with/include people all the time like an instinct. It's a very useful instinct to have when I'm teaching, as I'm always aware of folks being left out or holding back or whatever the case is, and I'm told I'm uncannily able to figure out people's thought processes (what M-B aspect is that?) which is a great teaching tool, but in my off-hours I could have used the ability *not* to reach out to people and not have that feel awkward. Reaching out feels natural, but it's not always the wisest course.

An introvert, hands down.

INTJ.

Red

i scored on the test above as an esfj. Extroverted, selfish, foolish jerk? :P Actually I am very extroverted, but also have an inner hermit. Sometimes I just like to "hide" at home. My home is definately the place where I find myself again when I'm overwhelmed with life...or where I hide in the same circumstance. I never understood this more than when DS was ill. I am one of those people who see you knocking, know it's you calling, and yes you're probably my bestest buddy...but if I need to veg I won't answer the phone or door. My hermit takes possession and the extrovert takes a break.

That said I love talking to strangers, find public speaking to be a hoot...I actually did it for a living for a short period of time and hoped to do it full time after ds was born, and have no issues with striking up a conversation with anyone at a party.. I won't remember their name 5 mins later (shallow or stupid?) but I still enjoy chatting LOL

DH is an introvert forced to become an extrovert. Together we're a freakingmess LOL God save our son (who would probably be defined already as a lunitic extrovert...he makes me look reserved and shy LOL)

Oh and I love star wars but never was much for lego's (aside from star wars lego's). :P

ISFJ. Apparently, I have chosen a career suited to that-special education. Reading the description, it fits me pretty well (protector).

I'm also an INFJ. Based on the description, I hope it's accurate!

Introverts here might be interested- I came across a really good blog called Quiet- the power of introverts written by Susan Cain- very thoughtful and helpful. She has a new book out too.

INFJ