I distinctly remember having a conversation with a group of high school friends about introversion and extroversion. As the sole introvert represented in the group, I struggled to explain to the others how social situations were draining. How I needed time by myself to recover from them. One highly extroverted friend was so unfamiliar with the concept that she initially assumed I was joking.

It’s difficult to explain to people who thrive in crowded rooms and loud environments that the very situations lighting a spark in them extinguish me.

For a population making up at least one third of American society, introverts are quite misunderstood. It’s a phenomenon that has its roots in our ideals as a country; if you’ve ever heard accounts of American tourists in other countries, you can probably construct an outsider’s perspective of the average American just fine. We’re loud. Bold. Borderline rude.

Whether or not this is, in fact, a statistically-accurate average American is besides the point. Our culture places value on being assertive, if not aggressive. In the process, we overlook the strengths of shyer, quieter, more reserved, more thoughtful, and more reflective people.

If you’re an extrovert, try to see beyond these 3 myths about introverts.

1. Introverts are antisocial.

It’s true that introverts are generally not thrilled about being dragged to parties and other large social gatherings, but our reputation as social hermits is probably undue. Most of us are perfectly happy to socialize in small, intimate settings, but when there are strangers and small talk involved, we shut down.

Part of the problem is that introverts and extroverts process stimuli differently. While extroverts are relatively unbothered by large amounts of noise, movement, and conversational expectations, introverts—who are so much more sensitive to any and all stimulation that their mouths water more than extroverts’ when lemon juice is placed on their tongues—are hardwired differently. What is engaging to the average extrovert is overwhelming to us.

So introverts aren’t antisocial. We just socialize differently than you. We have different tolerance levels and different preferences, but that doesn’t make us inferior.

2. Introverts don’t like to have fun.

The same way that our socialization techniques differ from yours, so do our hobbies. We’re very rarely found living it up in the middle of a dance floor or entertaining onlookers from the middle of a metaphorical spotlight, but you’re probably less likely than us to spend all afternoon binge-reading a newly released novel.

By my standards, your Friday nights are dull and exhausting, but that's okay. We enjoy different things. That doesn't make your pastimes better than mine or vice versa.

3. If an introvert doesn’t want to spend time with me, they probably don’t like me.

Extroverts often feel snubbed when their introvert partners and friends ask for alone time. As people energized by human contact and inexperienced with the alternative, you probably have a hard time imagining what it would be like to need a break after every social outing. And it’s not just parties and events; even spending time with the people I love wears me down.

If you care for an introvert, understand that they need boundaries—times when you’re together, and times when you’re not, without any questions asked or accusations flung.

When they ask to be left alone, it isn’t anything personal. But they know how it looks, and they’re probably nervous about how you’ll react to this request. Try to understand.

At the end of the day, introverts are simply different than extroverts; our needs, desires and fears aren't like yours, and that’s okay. It’s only when we try to fit ourselves into an extrovert mold that problems arise.