Once someone finds out you are an extrovert, they usually think they have your personality figured out within a matter of seconds. You are deemed as the loud, social, energized person who hates to be alone. After talking to someone for about a half an hour it is pretty obvious if they person you are talking to has extroverted qualities. However, there is more to an extrovert that meets the eye. Yes, the qualities listed above tend to be true, but unless someone is an extreme extrovert, they are never 100% correct 100% of the time. It is easy to label someone an extrovert and think that you know most things about the basis of their personality, but there are many things people misunderstand about extroverts because they can sometimes differ from this personality label. Here are extra pieces of the extrovert personality that would be helpful for everyone to know.
1. Not all extroverts are full of constant energy.
This is a tough fact because you may have a consistent bubbly personality (despite your energy level) that comes out whenever you are trying to converse with people. Are you happy to be around them? Yes. If you got a minimal amount of sleep this week are you still dying of exhaustion on the inside during these conversations? Yes. There are times when you are just tired, and no amount of people will change that fact. However, this confuses others because you seem so present, but you could just be really good at putting on a "fake it 'til you make it" face.
2. Nor are you afraid of some alone time.
Of course, there are those handful of extroverts that would disagree with this statement. However, for the most part extroverts can be alone, and even seek it out sometimes. It might not be the consistently preferred option on how to spend your time, but at times extroverts will choose to take some "me-time" and step away from the social - this just probably would not happen for extended periods of time.
3. There are many different levels of extrovert.
As mentioned before, some of these might change if one is an extreme extrovert, but for the most part people are not. Some absolutely need people and others are pleased to have people around them, but do not need that to feel comfortable. Extroverts cannot all be generalized, it changes person to person.
4.Shyness can still exist.
Often, extroverts are expected to be the one to keep up the conversation or feel instantly comfortable when confronting a stranger. Not all extroverts would find these as easy tasks, and some extroverts can still have the "I am shy until you get to know me" personality.
5.Extroverts are not always a fan of being the "center of attention."
Wanting to be heard and craving the spotlight on you are two completely different things. Sometimes you talk in a big group and want everyone to listen just because you do not want to be awkwardly steam rolled over by a different conversation. This does not mean you are talking for the sake of talking, or for everyone's eyes to be on you, you just want to be in the conversation or not be/take over the conversation.
6. They cannot always be relied on to "make the first move."
Relating to the shyness, extroverts might not always be the ones to make the first approach. This mainly happens if you are an awkward extrovert and want to talk, but do not know how to begin connecting with others. Whether this is just an introduction, the beginning of a serious conversation, or building a relationship this statement stands true. They can still make moves, but it would be wise not to expect anything.
7. Big groups can still be draining at times.
The bigger the group, the more stimulation there is. Most of the time this is good for an extrovert, but there are days when it is just too much. Too many people could cause great conversation, but it can also sometimes be less meaningful due to the lack of privacy. Plus, it is easier to get spoken over in a big group, and sometimes even ignored.
8. Occasionally one-on-ones too.
This is mainly if this one-on-one is with someone who is not talkative and gives nothing back. This is what happens during those one word answer conversations... Q. how are you doing? A. Good. Q. How are your classes? A. hard... If a conversation is happening like that it would be more draining to try and keep it going when you have to ask all the questions.
9. They like to listen.
Despite the fact that extroverts are talkative, they really do like to listen! They want to hear about what is going on in the life of people around them. They talk about themselves because it is easy, but they really do want to hear what the person they are talking to has to say.
10. Extroverts still debate whether to go out or stay in.
Believe it or not, some extroverts do not always jump up at the first sign of plans. They go through the "should I, shouldn't I, do I even want to?" decision- making as everyone else does. It is not always an instant yes.
11. Sometimes extroverts are motivated by FOMO, not by people.
If they go through this debate, do not want to go out, and choose to go out anyway, their motives may differ than what is believed. They may choose to go just because they are "afraid of missing out" and the fun that would be had without them, not necessarily the people who are going (they will probably see them again anyway).
12. Not being received well might cause them to shut down.
If they do encounter one of those "one word" conversations, after the pattern continues they may begin to ask less questions and give up on trying hard. To them, it may seem like a clue that the person is done talking and they are not getting the hint.
13. There is a fear of being too overwhelming.
This goes along with shutting down, extroverts know they are seen as boisterous and that can be annoying to others at times. Because of this, a level of annoyance is usually on an extroverts mind and they sometimes wonder if people have had enough of them and need space from the outgoing personality.
14. Volume can often not actually be controlled.
Also, extroverts understand that they are loud, this is no secret, they have been told to be quieter all of their lives. However, if it was really fixable they would most likely have changed it by now. Most are as constantly cautious about volume and hate feeling obnoxious, and there are times that their volume gets out of hand. Though, if they are focused on it, they try to keep it under control, but maybe they just have a naturally loud voice to match the loud personality.
15. Sometimes they go out of your way to avoid awkward situations.
We all know the "try to avoid eye contact with the person you somewhat know" trick, extroverts do this do and many things like it. They are not always up for the challenge of trying to embrace socially awkward occasions, though they could if they had to.
16. Occasionally they feel like they do not have enough friends.
This might be a ridiculous thought, but sometimes the amount of people they know doesn't seem like enough to suffice. They want to meet more knew people (and essentially be friends with everybody), but skip all of the awkward encounters.
17.Confidence is key.
With all of this being said, extroverts own up to who they are and could not imagine being any other way.
