Stop saying I'm shy! Do people tell you why you’re so quiet? Do they point out your silence a few times? There are many people who ask others why they are so shy, but they tend to not realize the other side to this. Does the individual being asked if they are shy like this sort of comment towards them? Depending on the person, it may turn out to be very hurtful.
For many, shy means too scared to talk to people; weak, feeble, incompetent. But is this really the right definition? And even so, is it really right to call any person shy, whether it be a compliment or not? People make judgements toward others and many even start a stereotypical threat about how shy people are antisocial, awkward or even the oddball of the group, but this may not be the case. Maybe people who are told they are shy can actually be fun-loving individuals who love to interact with others when they are comfortable with them.
There are thousands of accusations of how a shy person acts, looks or thinks. Making this sort of false-consensus just because of your attitude or belief to this person, can be very negative towards the other, even though you do not mean to make it that way. Though you may think it is completely normal to call someone this, does not necessarily mean it is normal for the other side. These individuals may just do not feel like expressing their ideas or opinions to others because they just do not feel the need to.
So stop with the term 'shy" and think twice before making this remark to someone! Just because someone is quiet, does not necessarily mean they are shy, nor does it mean they do not like to talk and make friends, it could just mean that they would rather express their opinions, ideas, or themselves when the time is right. And you never know, this person could turn out to surprise you at the end!
