Introverts can be confusing; as their energy ebbs and flows, they may not appear consistent. 1 day their batteries may be well chargeed and they’re chatty and outgoing. Another day they are draggin’ their wagon and can barely talk at all. This can confuse and confound the people who know them.

Introverts are more likely to:
- Keep energy inside, making it difficult for others to know them
- Be absorbed in thought
- Hesitate before speaking
- Avoid crowds and seek quiet
- Lose sight of what others are doing
- Proceed cautiously in meeting people and participate only in selected activities
- Not offer ideas freely; may need to be asked their opinion
- Get agitated without enough time alone or undisturbed
- Reflect and act in a careful way
- Not show much facial expression or reaction

There are 3 main differences between introverts and extroverts that cause rifts to widen into vast misunderstandings.
1. Introverts think and talk differently
Introverts need time to think and don’t speak with spontaneity unless its a familiar subject. Introverts can appear cautious or passive to extroverts. When introverts speak with hesitation, extroverts may feel impatient. Extroverts need to learn that introverts require time to form and articulate opinions. However, extroverts also ought to be aware that if introverts have carefully thought out their ideas on a subject, or know alot about a topic, then watch out - the formerly quiet intros’ lips will start flapping fast and furious.

2. Introverts are unseen
Introverts dislike interrupting, so they might say something softly or without emphasis. Other times comments made by introverts have more depth than the general level of the conversation; because this may make people feel uncomfortable, they ignore the comment. Later another person may say the same thing and receive a great response. The introverted person feels unseen. It’s frustrating and confusing for them. Introverts are usually just thinking about what people are saying. They will share their thoughts if asked.

3. Introverts pressure extroverts to stop and think
It unnerves extroverts when introverts suggest that they should slow things down, plan, think about consequences, and focus longer before acting.
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Growing up constantly being compared to extroverts can be very damaging. Most introverted children grow up receiving the message overtly and covertly that something is wrong with them. They feel blamed–why can’t they answer the question faster? And defamed–maybe they aren’t very smart. 49 of the 50 introverts I interviewed felt they had been reproached and maligned for being the way they were. Introverted children usually get the message loud and clear that something is wrong with them.