Blog by Sumana Harihareswara, Changeset founder

24 Feb 2003, 15:02 p.m.

As you know if you've met me, I sometimes enjoy…

Hi, reader. I wrote this in 2003 and it's now more than five years old. So it may be very out of date; the world, and I, have changed a lot since I wrote it! I'm keeping this up for historical archive purposes, but the me of today may 100% disagree with what I said then. I rarely edit posts after publishing them, but if I do, I usually leave a note in italics to mark the edit and the reason. If this post is particularly offensive or breaches someone's privacy, please contact me.

As you know if you've met me, I sometimes enjoy socializing. This snarky article, like other pro-introvert books and articles I've recently seen, concentrates on the "we're so persecuted, everyone else is a boor" angle and not the "how to facilitate a happy introverted life" tips that would actually help us all. So here's my contribution.

Tip to couples comprising an introvert and an extrovert: both of you should take the initiative in talking about that difference when it causes problems. Oh, and when it comes to extroverts wanting their introverted friends to "get out more" -- bend over backwards to be nonpushy and consensual about it. Don't be a nut pusher.