6 Lesser-Known Introvert Characters

How to spot an introvert on the spot?

Introverts cannot hold or maintain eye contact with the person they are talking to. That’s it. You now know the top-secret. Next time someone does that, know that you were talking to an introvert.

1. Sense of fashion

Introverts and their sense of fashion mix just as well as oil and water. They hate dressing up for any occasion if at all they choose to go somewhere. They feel it’s a huge waste of time to dig out clothes from their usually shabby wardrobe and wear neatly pressed clothes for a particular event. This is chiefly because introverts are inherently not cut out to be around people in the outside world. While extroverts love fashion and accessories and tend to have many sets of clothing, introverts usually have only very few pairs of clothes and tend to wear the same few clothes over and over again just because they feel comfortable in them, and also they hate shopping for clothes in general.

For instance, I’ve never had even a single set of clothing that’s meant for weekends. I have clothes for work and clothes for home, that’s all. Most of the few friends I’ve had so far in my life have had the same habit. Wear something comfortable that would not make me look too weird or poor is the mantra on every introvert’s mind. Have you noticed these things in your introverted friends?

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2. Personal hygiene

Introverts despise anything that has to do with facing the outside world, contrary to extroverts. Next on the list that they shy away from is personal hygiene. Introverts are generally extraordinarily laid back and lazy when it comes to taking care of themselves. No, they don’t go to the extent of smelling bad to everyone they interact with. It’s just that they feel it’s unnecessary to always smell artificially good with the help of deodorants and perfumes. Most introverted men feel too lazy to trim or shave their facial hair and push their razor day as much as they can. In my case, it’s usually 2 weeks.

Introverted women, on the other hand, despise coating themselves with cosmetics. Some may use minimal make-up, but that’s it. Introverts are not born to please others. This cannot be more true. All these traits and choices are most likely due to the fact that introverts usually have a low self-image, self-confidence, and self-esteem by nature. It’s how they are hard-wired. It’s how their neurochemicals work. It’s what their brain’s reward system does naturally.

As the world has become a place mostly for extroverts to thrive, coupled with everything going on around as to how people should present themselves to the outside world, introverts have no other choice but to compare themselves to their more expressive and presentable counterparts and feel bad about themselves. I think this could be a valid reason as to why introverts have turned into people with low self-image and self-esteem. The people around them started becoming more and more fame-seeking, people-pleasing, and ever so flashy in every possible way. So, the poor introverts, being very realistic and down to earth, are suffering all the repercussions.

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3. Incomplete projects

Introverts strive to be perfect in what they do much more than extroverts. Be it double or triple-checking emails for mistakes, spending insane amounts of time analyzing problems to find the best possible solutions, or beating themselves up to get better scores in exams or win competitions, introverts have their ways to execute perfectionism.

More often than not, they tend to overdo perfectionism to the extent where they lose interest in what they do and give up doing it altogether. They just lose interest and then feel guilty and miserable, and jump to something else. I call introverts “project hoppers” for the right reason. However, on most occasions, they will have shown great progress in whatever they did just before they quit. Again, this relates to their low self-esteem and other psychological issues. If introverts, including myself, can somehow find a way to overcome this problem of theirs, their world will be much better than it is now.

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4. Introverts don’t worry about losing people

How can this not be true? Although introverts are very loyal souls, they are hardwired to be by themselves far more than extroverts. Loneliness and living alone are well tolerated and executed without any issues.

As introverts can thrive being alone for any amount of time, they usually don’t cry for losing people, friends, or otherwise, and can keep going on as if nothing really happened. They suffer much less than extroverts over burnt bridges and broken hearts. Deep inside, introverts know that no one owns anyone so as to lose them and everything happens for a reason that is sometimes difficult to completely comprehend.

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5. Introverts are very sensitive to guilt and shame

To err is human. To tell off or shout at an introvert is barbaric. Introverts are highly sensitive people who are hesitant and nervous most of the time. They try their best to cooperate with others and not commit silly or unforgivable mistakes. While extroverts and ambiverts can tolerate guilt and shame well, introverts take it to their hearts and make it very personal. Sorry, introverts are like that. It’s their weakness. They take criticism very very personally.

As introverts are also sensitive and responsible, they do not tend to repeat a mistake again. It’s a pearl of worthwhile wisdom to know about introverts. Shouting at an introvert will make someone the introvert’s lifelong rival. Introverts usually find it very hard to forget and forgive people who make them feel uncomfortable and break their trust. Most introverts also have a massive ego, believe it or not. It’s with which they try to sail the turbulent sea full of extroverted waves.

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6. Introverts have a low tolerance for impatience and arrogance

If you are an impatient spouse or a friend of an introvert, this is for you. Introverts, while mostly chilled out and quiet people, will not tolerate constant impatient behavior. They just can not handle it. It’s not in their nature. They get easily overwhelmed and uncomfortable when overstimulated on a regular basis. It’s a direct threat to their wellbeing and trust.

If you are a good multi-tasker and a general organizer, it’s good for you. But introverts are usually inherently slower at both multi-tasking and planning and organizing. They are born perfectionists, as I said before. They are well aware that less is always more. They strive for quality in everything rather than quantity. If you expect the same degree of those two abilities from an introvert, you will be disappointed. As a consequence, there will be misunderstandings. You may grow impatient and raise your voice or criticize your introvert. Please try to avoid it. In any relationship, a very smart skill to learn is to know how to exploit your partner based on his/her character and associated abilities. Such relationships, romantic or otherwise, usually flourish healthily for a long time without major issues.

Arrogance, on the other hand, can hurt anyone who becomes a victim. Introverts feel it several folds more because of their sensitive nature. Patience and politeness are the keys to an introvert’s soft heart. As introverts are over-thinkers by nature, it’ll be very hard for them to forget and forgive people who hurl harsh words at them, including their close ones. It’s easy for anyone to take an introvert’s quietness for granted and take their chances during an argument.

The Fix: If you are kind and polite at all times, introverts will be the kindest and most polite. That’s also in their nature. Be generous with the number of chances you give to fix minor issues in the relationship, but never ever raise your voice at them.

Thanks for reading.

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