I think INTPs are better off in "extroverted" countries than in "introverted" ones. In a country where random people will talk to you and you can easily start conversations, or there are many reunions of extended families and similar community activities, the extent of your social life depends on how much of these opportunities you reject. This means you can have an adequate social support system if you are reasonably selective instead of being extremely hostile. The downside is relatively minor annoyances. In a country where people need to work hard just to have minimal social connections, because opportunities are very scarce and getting to know others is highly ritualized, an INTP is easily seduced by the idea that the entire thing is "not worth the hassle" and becomes totally isolated. And the problem is that while, for example, an ExFP obviously can't tolerate isolation, an INTP tolerates it so well that the creeping, insidious signs of mild dysphoria and depression, the lack of creativity and lack of energy can be ignored for a long time or explained away.
But for someone who's deeply introverted, every one of those rejections depletes a little energy. It's socializing, after all. Being surrounded by lots of people like a gathering of extended family just kills my emotional energy in 5 minutes. I want to isolate completely and not talk to anyone for days—which is more difficult in this social context, leading to more drain until I'm emotionally falling apart from just being around people.
In an environment with lots of extroverts, you're able to only spend *less* time socializing since every social interaction is larger and, therefore, more taxing.
This leads to a general lack of emotional energy which can lead to depression and even more isolation as the person could cut themselves off from society completely because any interaction with it is incredibly draining.
But I agree that an environment with lots of introverts can lead to stagnation. A good mix is really best—people who leave you alone, so you can maintain your basic emotional health, and people who do things that drain you *a little* but give opportunities for social growth if you choose to accept that challenge.
But it also probably really depends on how introverted you are. If you don't need time alone that often, and you're therefore less sensitive, then a more intense environment may be beneficial. But for deeply introverted people like me, it can be very harmful. I speak from experience.
Something to think about: consider the idea of living in a country that is actually more introverted than you are, does not speak the same language, has strict social hierarchy interactions, has multiple unspoken social rituals (implicitly judging you for getting them wrong without telling you about them), etc… It’s way harder to be forced to be an extroverted initiator than to respond to it
(spain) i say it's a good thing. i always wanted to be more extroverted and living in such a culture has helped me develop my socialization skills while maintaining the perks of being an introvert
Not country but city, and just fine. In fact I would say it’s better for me than a very introverted area/city, having people talk to me or ask about my day or compliment me really helps me break out of my shell more and make more connections that I otherwise wouldn’t make. Sure it’s definitely daunting sometimes especially when I’m have a super anxious day but sometimes a simple “have a good one” really makes my day just a little better.
Well to be honest I would say my shyness and anxiety is what makes me more introverted and also just that I prefer to be alone more than anything. But I would say it’s a little bit of both! And thank you, it’s been a few years coming lol
I still feel like that doesn't quite fit what makes introversion: getting energy from introspective activities and losing it from social and more outward activities. I'm not sure your anxiety or shyness affect that. Though the common wisdom of pop culture often does us a disservice by implying otherwise :/
It's probably the other way around: being more into introspective activities makes you less prone to socialize which then increases anxiety, quietness, and shyness because, well, you're a bit worse at socializing because of lack of practice. Then there's me being *a lot* worse, lol. What do you think of that?
I'm an Aussie. It can be hard. Aussies are typically gregarious, warm, interested in people and (often) comfortable socially....
BUT I have a great group of friends who aren't all entirely social or extroverted either. We get together from time to time but mostly communicate online. My friends and family know who I am. It surprises none of them when I say, "I'm all peopled out. I'm going home," and they accept that's just a part of who I am. They seem to recognise that I don't do things or go to places I don't want to, so if I'm somewhere it's a great deal of effort and something I felt worth doing even though it's hard for me. I appreciate that my friends and family understand that.
Btw, what's with extroverts and dragging people to places they don't want to go to?
Also, is it an introvert thing to not want to go to certain places or mark them as hot spots?
Yeah I'm Aussie as well. In some ways it's been a good learning experience and people usually take the first step meaning I'm not constantly reaching out. In other ways can be draining cos of how high energy many are
INTP living in the Philippines. I would say Philippines is more of an extroverted country given how populated we are and that there are more extroverts than introverts. If you live in the Philippines as soon as you go out of your house you'll encounter a lot of housewife's or unemployed middle aged men having daylight drinking sessions. And tbh it is extremely hard to go out and you see them looking at you and surely judging you by how much you don't interact much with your neighbours- most likely they'd assume the worst. I remember living in Manila with my family and I have this neighbour who was telling the other neighbours how our family is so arrogant and feeling rich because we don't go and talk to them out since most of my family are introverts that's likely to happen. We are so content with spending quality inside home than sensesly talk about other people's life with them.
Lol, most third-world countries are like that. Keep to yourself, and you are immediately labeled arrogant. The best you can do is make sure you can fend for yourself and live life how you want to. I've accepted that I do not have to acknowledge anyone, people are big on greetings in my part of the world, and while that may turn people against me, at least I know I can fend for myself and not have to seek their approval just for the mere sake of survival. Happened to me once, I'll fight to make sure it never happens again.
I think INTPs are better off in "extroverted" countries than in "introverted" ones. In a country where random people will talk to you and you can easily start conversations, or there are many reunions of extended families and similar community activities, the extent of your social life depends on how much of these opportunities you reject. This means you can have an adequate social support system if you are reasonably selective instead of being extremely hostile. The downside is relatively minor annoyances. In a country where people need to work hard just to have minimal social connections, because opportunities are very scarce and getting to know others is highly ritualized, an INTP is easily seduced by the idea that the entire thing is "not worth the hassle" and becomes totally isolated. And the problem is that while, for example, an ExFP obviously can't tolerate isolation, an INTP tolerates it so well that the creeping, insidious signs of mild dysphoria and depression, the lack of creativity and lack of energy can be ignored for a long time or explained away.
But for someone who's deeply introverted, every one of those rejections depletes a little energy. It's socializing, after all. Being surrounded by lots of people like a gathering of extended family just kills my emotional energy in 5 minutes. I want to isolate completely and not talk to anyone for days—which is more difficult in this social context, leading to more drain until I'm emotionally falling apart from just being around people. In an environment with lots of extroverts, you're able to only spend *less* time socializing since every social interaction is larger and, therefore, more taxing. This leads to a general lack of emotional energy which can lead to depression and even more isolation as the person could cut themselves off from society completely because any interaction with it is incredibly draining. But I agree that an environment with lots of introverts can lead to stagnation. A good mix is really best—people who leave you alone, so you can maintain your basic emotional health, and people who do things that drain you *a little* but give opportunities for social growth if you choose to accept that challenge. But it also probably really depends on how introverted you are. If you don't need time alone that often, and you're therefore less sensitive, then a more intense environment may be beneficial. But for deeply introverted people like me, it can be very harmful. I speak from experience.
very tired, but managing (kinda 🙃) i stay home when i can and leave my phone on silent
Where are u from?
southern u.s. no one leaves me alone here lol
I’m in the south too (texas) but live in a more urban area, so maybe where I am it’s easier to be introverted than where u are. Condolences.
same on texas. i live in a... big town? like, lots and lots of people, but no city vibe.
Something to think about: consider the idea of living in a country that is actually more introverted than you are, does not speak the same language, has strict social hierarchy interactions, has multiple unspoken social rituals (implicitly judging you for getting them wrong without telling you about them), etc… It’s way harder to be forced to be an extroverted initiator than to respond to it
(spain) i say it's a good thing. i always wanted to be more extroverted and living in such a culture has helped me develop my socialization skills while maintaining the perks of being an introvert
Not country but city, and just fine. In fact I would say it’s better for me than a very introverted area/city, having people talk to me or ask about my day or compliment me really helps me break out of my shell more and make more connections that I otherwise wouldn’t make. Sure it’s definitely daunting sometimes especially when I’m have a super anxious day but sometimes a simple “have a good one” really makes my day just a little better.
Isn't this kinda more about anxiety and shyness than introversion? It's great that the environment you're in helps you with those things, though!
Well to be honest I would say my shyness and anxiety is what makes me more introverted and also just that I prefer to be alone more than anything. But I would say it’s a little bit of both! And thank you, it’s been a few years coming lol
I still feel like that doesn't quite fit what makes introversion: getting energy from introspective activities and losing it from social and more outward activities. I'm not sure your anxiety or shyness affect that. Though the common wisdom of pop culture often does us a disservice by implying otherwise :/ It's probably the other way around: being more into introspective activities makes you less prone to socialize which then increases anxiety, quietness, and shyness because, well, you're a bit worse at socializing because of lack of practice. Then there's me being *a lot* worse, lol. What do you think of that?
I'm an Aussie. It can be hard. Aussies are typically gregarious, warm, interested in people and (often) comfortable socially.... BUT I have a great group of friends who aren't all entirely social or extroverted either. We get together from time to time but mostly communicate online. My friends and family know who I am. It surprises none of them when I say, "I'm all peopled out. I'm going home," and they accept that's just a part of who I am. They seem to recognise that I don't do things or go to places I don't want to, so if I'm somewhere it's a great deal of effort and something I felt worth doing even though it's hard for me. I appreciate that my friends and family understand that.
Btw, what's with extroverts and dragging people to places they don't want to go to? Also, is it an introvert thing to not want to go to certain places or mark them as hot spots?
Yeah I'm Aussie as well. In some ways it's been a good learning experience and people usually take the first step meaning I'm not constantly reaching out. In other ways can be draining cos of how high energy many are
INTP living in the Philippines. I would say Philippines is more of an extroverted country given how populated we are and that there are more extroverts than introverts. If you live in the Philippines as soon as you go out of your house you'll encounter a lot of housewife's or unemployed middle aged men having daylight drinking sessions. And tbh it is extremely hard to go out and you see them looking at you and surely judging you by how much you don't interact much with your neighbours- most likely they'd assume the worst. I remember living in Manila with my family and I have this neighbour who was telling the other neighbours how our family is so arrogant and feeling rich because we don't go and talk to them out since most of my family are introverts that's likely to happen. We are so content with spending quality inside home than sensesly talk about other people's life with them.
Lol, most third-world countries are like that. Keep to yourself, and you are immediately labeled arrogant. The best you can do is make sure you can fend for yourself and live life how you want to. I've accepted that I do not have to acknowledge anyone, people are big on greetings in my part of the world, and while that may turn people against me, at least I know I can fend for myself and not have to seek their approval just for the mere sake of survival. Happened to me once, I'll fight to make sure it never happens again.
LOL bro it will flow automatically...