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February 14, 2006
Jonathan Rauch comments on some of the feedback he's received for "Caring for Your Introvert"... I've had more email and snail mail on "Caring for Your Introvert," over a longer period, than for anything else I've written. Probably more mail on this than everything else put together. People wrote to say they Xeroxed it by the bushel, laminated it, or printed it on cards for distribution to friends and family: "I have shrunken and laminated one hundred copies of the article and carry a few in my shirt pocket. Now when someone perplexed by over fifteen seconds of silence asks 'What are you thinking about?' I simply hand him or her a copy and retire to the basement." Looking through it all, I found several recurring themes and points of interest: 1) "Hallelujah!" Joy and gratitude at seeing themselves described and understood. They account for most of the mail: "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" (That was the whole letter.) 2) Introvert "Eureka!" Shock and relief at discovering they're an introvert and there's nothing wrong with them: "I know the literal meaning of 'introvert,' of course, but never have I seen it explained so well. Nor understood how aptly the word explains me... For the first time I feel empowered, like a short man who's discovered cleverly disguised elevator shoes." 3) Extrovert "Eureka!" Reports of enlightenment and gratitude from spouses/significant others, usually extroverts: "The man that is dearest to my heart came across this article and found himself. The joy and wonderment in his voice as he declared this brought tears to my eyes and swelled my chest." 4) Tips and tricks. Some people volunteer methods for coping with introversion in an uncomprehending world, or reform suggestions: "My party trick has always been to come alone, hide my purse somewhere near the door, and sneak out when I have had enough. Usually under two hours time there. The next day, my friends will always say, 'You disappeared last night!' Ah, another successful get-away, I think to myself." 5) Female problems. Interestingly, one or two female writers confirmed my hunch that women have an especially hard time being introverted: "...absolutely correct about how tricky being an introvert is for a woman; after all, we are presumed to be the keepers of the social order and the mistresses of the inane conventions that extroverts have created to keep their world intact." 6) Online salvation: Perhaps no surprise that the article resonates online? Above writer sez: "I do, however, thank the Powers That Be for the internet, where I can delete at will, converse silently, and no one can see me roll my eyes. Maybe there is a God." WEIGH IN: What, if anything, should parents and friends do to help introverted teenagers? Share your thoughts by email to introversy@theatlantic.com. Selected responses will be displayed.
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