4 ms·

You say it isn't a problem of introversion; I say it is. It 99% is. What you have described is absolutely the opposite of travel experiences I have. Once you so

by butwhy 11y ago

You say it isn't a problem of introversion; I say it is. It 99% is. What you have described is absolutely the opposite of travel experiences I have. Once you solve the introversion part, you will absolutely have a great time, meet amazing people and do really enjoyable things. Funnily enough, we seem to have taken very different roads. Travelling was the the thing that actually turned me from being semi introverted to not being introverted at all. Hostels are great in that they put me in touch with very extroverted people and showed me how easy it is to approach people, as most are friendly and welcoming. Once you get that down, you then hang out with people, go on pub crawls, go sight seeing or on road trips together etc. "It's not a matter of introversion, as I know plenty of introverts who can strike up a conversation with a stranger. I can't, no matter how hard I try" - this sounds disillusion. Perhaps you should look up what being an introvert entails. What you have just described is a person that's less introverted than you. Being introverted occurs at different levels in everyone. You having a lot of trouble talking to people actually means that you're more introverted than him. If you think it is something else, then what is your diagnosis? Do you have a physical speech impairment that prevents you from talking? "Trying to solve anything by running away is just that - escaping" - so what? You "escape" into a totally different lifestyle to make new relationships, enjoy new activities and cultures, and ultimately change your life. It can be a permanent "escape" for some.

iman453 11y ago
Introversion isn't an inability to talk to strangers. Like OP suggested, plenty of introverts can strike up conversations with strangers and even be 'the life of the party', so to speak. Most introverts though tire out with excessive social interaction, specially interactions comprising primarily of small talk, and need some alone time doing activities they enjoy to recharge. On the other hand, meaningful, deep conversations that go beyond talking about the weather with strangers would probably energize an introvert. Being unable to initiate conversations with strangers can be shyness/mild social phobia, or something else, which you probably mean when you refer to introversion. Susan Cain's book Quiet, does a good job of explaining introversion. Her TED talk is a sort of cliffnotes version of the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0KYU2j0TM4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0KYU2j0TM4
- jinushaun 11y ago
  Amen. I can talk to strangers in hostels like a pro, but I'm still an introvert. I can small talk and shoot the same backpacking bullshit conversation topics like a champ, but I tire of deep or extended social interaction.

by butwhy 11y ago

iman453 11y ago

Introversion isn't an inability to talk to strangers. Like OP suggested, plenty of introverts can strike up conversations with strangers and even be 'the life of the party', so to speak. Most introverts though tire out with excessive social interaction, specially interactions comprising primarily of small talk, and need some alone time doing activities they enjoy to recharge. On the other hand, meaningful, deep conversations that go beyond talking about the weather with strangers would probably energize an introvert. Being unable to initiate conversations with strangers can be shyness/mild social phobia, or something else, which you probably mean when you refer to introversion. Susan Cain's book Quiet, does a good job of explaining introversion. Her TED talk is a sort of cliffnotes version of the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0KYU2j0TM4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0KYU2j0TM4

jinushaun 11y ago
Amen. I can talk to strangers in hostels like a pro, but I'm still an introvert. I can small talk and shoot the same backpacking bullshit conversation topics like a champ, but I tire of deep or extended social interaction.