10 Introvert Behaviors That May Be a Bit Too Introverted

There’s nothing wrong with being an Introvert. Introverts have some stand-out strengths that Extraverts don’t possess. They’re focused. They’re persistent. They’re great listeners and have astute observation skills. 

But sometimes, Introverts can fall into the trap of too much Introversion. It can happen to any Introvert at any time — you go into a sort of hibernation mode where your introverted nature becomes heightened, and you do rather silly things to avoid talking to people or making a spectacle of yourself. 

The drastic measures Introverts sometimes take to hermit crab away from the world are pretty funny, when you stop to think about it.

I know because I’ve been there. And if you’re an Introvert, you’ve probably been there, too. 

Maybe you’re at a stage where you feel you need to dial back your more extreme behaviors. Or maybe you love this part of your personality! Whatever the case, you can laugh along with these 10 signs you might be behaving just a little bit too introverted.

1. You never answer the phone, ever. Even for your mom, BFF or spouse.

You hate phone calls in general. Most people with an introverted personality type do. But sometimes, catching up with a best friend or parent is a pleasant experience. Just because your phone rings doesn’t mean you always have to panic and hit the red “reject call” button. Otherwise, your inner circle is going to shrink right down to you, your cat and your dog.

2. You refuse to get your money back because that means talking to people.  

What happens when you get overcharged for something? Do you make your way to customer service or call the vendor to get your money back — or let your bank account go overdrawn because you don’t want to have the conversation? It’s better for your wallet to bring it up but you’d rather not talk to anyone about it, so you foot the bill instead.

3. You don’t know where you’re going and won’t ask for help, even if it means wandering for hours.  

You’re in an unfamiliar airport. You’ve made it through security and are now searching for your gate. You know you’re far from it because all you see are shops. No signage directs you to your destination. You could ask an airport security employee where you should be going but, instead of asking for help, you continue to wander and hope you’ll figure it out yourself. You refuse to talk to a random stranger, even if it means potentially missing your flight or wasting an hour of your layover.

4. You immediately excuse yourself when a stranger comes up to you.

When a stranger talks to you on the street, in an elevator, or at a store, you begin plotting a way out. You choose the quickest excuse to escape them, even if it means pretending there’s an emergency or your dog died. Yes, you’re not beyond fake-answering a phone call or blurting out something nonsensical like “I’m in a hurry. I have to get home to my plants.” Whether the stranger believes you doesn’t matter. The important part is you escaped small talk.

5. You use earbuds in nearly every public situation to prevent others from bothering you...even around your roommate.

Noise-canceling earbuds are one of your favorite inventions in the history of mankind and you wear them all day, every day, almost 24-7. You wear them to the grocery store, on public transportation and at work meetings when you’ve elected not to be involved (i.e. most of them). Heck, you even wear them in your apartment complex common areas, in public restrooms or to keep your roommate from talking to you. Earbuds in, world out. 

6. You’ve thought about how to start a conversation for the last 10 minutes and still haven’t said a word. 

Sometimes Introverts overthink things. If you’re leaning into your Introversion a little too much, you might spend minutes agonizing over how to start a conversation with someone. This person may be someone you want to talk to, but you're running ideas in your head instead of asking how they’re doing. By the time you get a word out, they're either looking at you weirdly or they've already moved on.

7. You agree you like something you don’t to avoid discussing why you disagree. 

Saying “yeah, I agree!” is SO MUCH EASIER than dealing with the aftermath of a difference of opinion. For example, you might say, “I love The Beatles,” when you don’t care for them or nod in response to someone's devotion to pineapple on pizza. But this can lead to a rabbit hole of agreeing to things you don’t like or know nothing about! Oopsies!

8. If a salesperson is too much, you leave without what you came for. 

Salespeople who follow you around the store to help you find what you’re looking for will cause you to go into fight or flight. You'll either run out of the store empty handed or you'll pay way over the odds for an item you don’t even want just to get them off your back. 

9. You won’t attend your own party. 

Is it rude and tacky to skip a birthday party people are throwing for you? Yes. Will you skip it anyway? Sure, they’ll get over it. Either that or you’ll make your excuses and leave before candles are blown out. Why make a spectacle of another sun spin, right? 

10. You can’t push the stop button on the bus.

You don’t want to call attention to yourself, so instead of pushing the button, you sit in your seat and wait for someone else to press it and get off with them. Or you wait for the bus to arrive at its final destination then make the long, slow walk back home. It’s tough being an Introvert!

Remember, being introverted is not a weakness but a different approach to life. Let’s cherish it, balance it, and definitely, let’s not miss our bus stops for it!