Introverts, at least in our heads, go through much tougher days than our extroverted counterparts. That is because every micro interaction from ordering food to being in the elevator with one other person is magnified in our heads.
Now extroverts, correct me if I'm wrong, but to you guys walking down the hall and passing another person is no big deal, sometimes you say "Hi" or just keep on going. For an introvert though it is so much more. Starting from opposite ends of say a forty foot hallway he first stares down the person, taking in everything; their manner of walk, how they are dressed, are they carrying anything, obvious injuries of any form, but most importantly, are they're wearing headphones and or sunglasses? While the initial observations are just introverts analyzing and trying to figure this person out for our general wondering purposes, like if they are heading to the gym or are they walking fast and thus are less likely to interact. However, if they are wearing headphones, that gives us a sigh of relief, because 99% of the time we won't be expected to talk to them in any capacity and that is more than okay. However, when sunglasses are worn by the opposing person we start in a state of panic because we don't know where they are looking, do they see us staring them down taking in every inch of their aesthetic being or are they unaware of us creepily eye guzzling them? And that's all in the first ten feet.
The next five feet are even more stressful. Under the premise that the person walking towards us does not have headphones and may or may not be wearing sunglasses, we then turn our head and try to make ourselves seem occupied. Then, out of nowhere, Steve Irwin starts narrating in as if this is an encounter between two wild animals. "Crickey! This introvert is trying to melt into the walls to avoid this talkative other human being coming towards, but what this introvert doesn't know is that this particular "human" is an extrovert and will say something to them." As Steve Irwin begins rambling we think "maybe I should initiate the conversation and as we argue internally and come to the conclusion we decide no and just pray them away.
Now the last five feet -- the home stretch, that awkward tension in that hallway is almost palpable but then it is really only just in our head and that palpable feeling is just that it is too hot or too cold. In that moment they speak, and simultaneously out of Steve Irwin's ramblings comes the line "The extrovert strikes a stunning blow to the introvert who was not able to hide in time and protect themselves from this creatures devastating attack, crickey!" In reality, they said "What's up man?" and introverts let out a "nothing," a "hello," or awkwardly says "good" and then quickly says something back and tries to forget this awkward situation ever happened, not even really listening for their response.
As they walk away, our backs to each other, introverts might start and internal rant about how people don't really want to know "what's up?" or "How are you?" Because 50% of the time they are bad things, and even if things are good, no one really wants to hear how this has been a good day because you've been able to quickly get to-go food at a busy place with minimal human interaction or how the day is bad because of personal financial reasons. But this is another rant for another day.
The hallway dilemma is just a single example of many situations where some introverts find themselves in trouble mentally. Similar situations happen when sharing an elevator or waiting in line at the grocery store, the situations are, unfortunately, endless. Thanks for hearing about the struggles of introverts.
