Socially awkward Extroverts

[Giggly]

I think the assumption is that socially awkward people are always introverts, but I wonder is there such a thing as socially awkward extroverts? If so, how might one identify them?

 

[Giggly]

Also, if someone is very quiet, shy, and has poor social skills but starts to go crazy after a very short time of being alone is that indicative of introversion or extroversion?

 

[spirilis]

I used to know an ENTP who was extremely awkward (and annoying). I am pretty sure it was a mental condition causing it though (think he had mild autism, never confirmed though; just hear-say)

 

[scattershot]

:hi:

Yeah, there are some of us extroverts who kinda suck at the whole socializing thing. I'm not exactly sure how you'd identify one...maybe look for someone who's uncomfortable, but still talking to people in spite of it?

Also, if someone is very quiet, shy, and has poor social skills but starts to go crazy after a very short time of being alone is that indicative of introversion or extroversion?

Extroversion. It's an extremely annoying contradiction. At some point, I need to be around people, even though I'd rather chill by myself most of the time. But no...I have to go out and be all clumsy and awkward just so I can get my "fix" and go back home 'til the next time.

There was a pretty good discussion of I/E and where we get our energy in this thread - http://www.typologycentral.com/forums/nf-idyllic/13088-infp-vs-enfp-reasons-needing-time-alone.html

 

[Shaula]

I think it's more common for introverts to be more socially akward because they aren't geared for group orientation. But I believe that there are plently of socially akward extroverts, but they tend to be less shy and more annoying.

 

[ajblaise]

I've known some extremely annoying extroverts (ExxP) that use their annoyingness to get attention, because it's the only way they can.

They weren't that nervous or shy or anything. Just painfully awkward and seemingly oblivious.

 

[EffEmDoubleyou]

This brings me to something I think about a lot. I'm pretty solidly introverted according to the tests, and it's pretty obvious to anyone who knows me. But if I've been alone a lot, I'll frequently seek out places that have lots of people but that don't require personal interaction - like sitting and reading at a crowded Starbucks, or walking around in the mall. I think I like the bustle of busy environments but not the personal interaction. Should this be classified as needing to be with people for the purposes of the I/E split?

 

[prplchknz]

I knew a socially awkward extravert, the thing was she didn't know she was awkward and was very annoying. I got to the point where I wouldn't answer the phone when she called, and for me I'll answer the phone for almost anyone. because after saying "no I can't hang out I have other plans" she'd be like so do you want to hang out? this would go on for awhile. I'm a socially awkward introvert, but I usually don't talk alot in social situations. But really only with people I don't know or if I feel them judging me constantly.

 

[Giggly]

This brings me to something I think about a lot. I'm pretty solidly introverted according to the tests, and it's pretty obvious to anyone who knows me. But if I've been alone a lot, I'll frequently seek out places that have lots of people but that don't require personal interaction - like sitting and reading at a crowded Starbucks, or walking around in the mall. I think I like the bustle of busy environments but not the personal interaction. Should this be classified as needing to be with people for the purposes of the I/E split?

GOOD QUESTION

 

[Udog]

I think I like the bustle of busy environments but not the personal interaction. Should this be classified as needing to be with people for the purposes of the I/E split?

Being introverted isn't the same as wanting to be closed off from humanity. I would say your statement still points to introversion.

Also, your situation isn't very useful for the I/E split because it is overly complicated and deals with two competing issues: Do you like large crowds and do you like interacting with new people.

 

[BerberElla]

Do you like large crowds

No. Unless it's a festival, gig or nightclub.

and do you like interacting with new people.

Yes, I am just extremely shy and find it hard. If I meet up with those same new people another time, you wouldn't be able to tell anymore that I was so shy first time round.

I'm always confused about being an extrovert or introvert, it's the one thing I still remain so unsure of.

Being a loner was something I naturally gravitated towards as a child, or a teen, or my early twenties, but late twenties, into thirtyish land and I'm a loner. Mostly because I was depressed, now I'm just out of the habit of socialising and have actively been trying to change that.

 

[Udog]

I'm always confused about being an extrovert or introvert, it's the one thing I still remain so unsure of.

NFs generally need and thrive off of people, even the introverted ones.

Shyness is a huge stumbling block in determining if someone is introverted or extroverted. It's is an indication for neither, and it keeps the 'real' you from reaching the surface, whether that be I or E.

I will say that in my experience, my extroverted friends shed their shyness much quicker once they decided to do so.

 

[Nihilen]

This brings me to something I think about a lot. I'm pretty solidly introverted according to the tests, and it's pretty obvious to anyone who knows me. But if I've been alone a lot, I'll frequently seek out places that have lots of people but that don't require personal interaction - like sitting and reading at a crowded Starbucks, or walking around in the mall. I think I like the bustle of busy environments but not the personal interaction. Should this be classified as needing to be with people for the purposes of the I/E split?

Brings this to my mind:

"I need the city; I need to know there are people around me strolling, arguing, fucking—living, and yet I go out very rarely; I stay here in my cage."
-Francis Bacon

It's still introversion, that's why we're most common on forums, where we can sense there are people around us while being alone at the same time. Same as your example or Bacon's.

 

[The Ü™]

People on Vent seem to think I'm more extroverted (and self-confident), so :hi:.

 

[Lady_X]

i'm awkward quite often...haha...but i don't feel shy...i just laugh at myself for the things i've said after the fact...does that count?

 

[ajblaise]

i'm awkward quite often...haha...but i don't feel shy...i just laugh at myself for the things i've said after the fact...does that count?

Laughing to ease the tension is the perfect cover-up for doing something awkward, so really, you're not awkward at all.

 

[garbage]

Being anxious of social situations, and thus socially awkward, made me wary of extroversion at all. I wasn't happy when I was anxious because I wasn't able to exercise what came naturally to me.

Short answer: it sucked being a socially awkward extrovert. But I got over it.

 

[NewEra]

Thing is I'm introverted but if I'm alone for an extended period, I desire attention and for people to see/hear me. It's more for people to see/hear me than for me to hear/see them.

 

[Giggly]

NFs generally need and thrive off of people, even the introverted ones.

Shyness is a huge stumbling block in determining if someone is introverted or extroverted. It's is an indication for neither, and it keeps the 'real' you from reaching the surface, whether that be I or E.

I will say that in my experience, my extroverted friends shed their shyness much quicker once they decided to do so.

Cool. Thanks for the clarification.

i'm awkward quite often...haha...but i don't feel shy...i just laugh at myself for the things i've said after the fact...does that count?

Laughing to ease the tension is the perfect cover-up for doing something awkward, so really, you're not awkward at all.

Yeah, what aj said.

Thing is I'm introverted but if I'm alone for an extended period, I desire attention and for people to see/hear me. It's more for people to see/hear me than for me to hear/see them.

I do the latter. If I'm alone for an extended period of time I start getting a strong desire to see/hear them more.

I originally asked this question because I was trying to decide whether someone I knew was ISTJ or ESTJ. I had always guessed him as ISTJ because he is quiet, shy, and a bit awkward, but he also can't stand being alone for more than about an hour. He might be bored or just an extrovert. I dunno. I don't know enough about introversion and extroversion to tell either.

 

[NewEra]

i'm awkward quite often...haha...but i don't feel shy...i just laugh at myself for the things i've said after the fact...does that count?

Question is do you laugh in an awkward way? Because if you do, then it is awkward.