Extroverts, they are outwardly opinionated and sometimes loud. They have a hate/love relationship with small talk simply because they love to talk. They long and live to talk incessantly. Sometimes, extroverts have a problem with silence; they are external thinkers. Extroverts love people, and they love being around people.
Introverts are the opposite.
Everybody knows someone who is an introvert. Introverts are not shy or timid; they're just not openly expressive; they're deep, internal thinkers. Introverts can be awkward at times because they're just listening to others converse. They stand near the circle without verbally joining.
Introverts can be avoiders because it takes so much effort to socialize, especially when it comes to small talk with people. Because of this. introverts tend to avoid the whole situation when it comes to people.
Something introverts will never get away from is extroverts, and it can be exhausting to be around one.
I am an ambivert, someone who exhibits qualities of both introversion and extroversion. I am constantly realizing the pros and cons of being an extrovert. Along with those pros and cons, when I am leaning more towards a state of introversion, I tend to pick out my needs in order to make it around extroverts.
Here are my top three qualities extroverts need to take on in order to interact with an introvert.
Be okay with not talking.
I know being an extrovert is pretty much based on talking. Extroverts are at least 70% talk and 30% hand movements. We will talk about anything with anyone, and talk forever at that.
The difficult, but doable, task you’ll need to accomplish is not talking. You’ve got to become OK with silence.
Now it’s not a "hello darkness my old friend" kind of silence, but the sound of silence is a sound you should become familiar with. The introvert you are talking to will most likely appreciate the company that doesn’t require using their voice.
Show interest by asking quality questions.
I’ve found that introverts are not shy, they are just reserving their words for a time necessary of speaking. If you’re like me and you love to talk and get to know people, ask valuable questions.
Don’t ask empty "yes" or "no" questions.
Questions that require an opinionated and lengthy answer are key; “What is your favorite thing to do and why?”
“What’s your favorite meal and who makes it the best?”
“What are your sibling like, or what were you like as a child?”
Questions like this are not "yes" or "no" questions, and require sharing more than three-word answers.
To add to that…
Don’t talk about yourself so much, it’s not cute, and it is full on annoying to stand with someone for 30 minutes or longer who only talks about their own self, never asking you a question. When you ask question and start to talk about yourself, remember you are in a conversation, not an autobiography (Gets off soapbox).
Empathize.
If the sweet introvert you’re talking to gets excited about something in your conversation, get a little excited with them! Don’t act disinterested, even if it's not what you typically get excited about.
Empathy is a major key to connecting to anyone; you must show that you care. Use your extroversion to connect in the way only extroverts can, excitement.
