Extroverted People Annoy Me

Why do extroverted people expect non-extroverted people to act, well, extroverted?

Why do introverted people make extroverts uncomfortable?

Is there something inherently wrong with not being talkative?

Don't get me wrong. I like people, and I enjoy the company of others. I'm not some cold, unfriendly, boorish guy. I just happen to be an introvert by nature.

And in my experience, most extroverted people expect me to match their behavioral characteristics. In other words, extroverts like to talk and gab, and they expect me to do the same.

Even when I have nothing to say or have no interest in a particular topic or discussion.

Now, don't get me wrong. I have social skills, and I go out of my way to be kind and considerate to others, and that includes making the obligatory small talk that is expected in a lot of innocuous social situations.

But the problem I run into is that, more often than not, outgoing, extroverted people just assume that being outgoing and extroverted is the "normal" way to be, and, therefore, they think you are weird or abnormal if you don't engage in the so-called normal extroverted behavior.

Granted, a lot of extroverted people aren't that way. So let me make it clear: I'm not painting all extroverted people with the same brush.

But, in my own personal life, most of the people I would classify as being extroverted seem to view people like me, quiet, introverted people, as being abnormal.

And I hate that!

It's always been the extroverts who have said to me things like, "You don't talk much," or "Why are you so quiet?", or "Say Something!!!"

Of course, I often feel like telling extrovered peope, "Why do you talk so much?" or "Can't you just shut the heck up?"

But I don't.

I prefer to fade into the background and let the extroverted people do what they do best: make noise!