16 Experiences That Are Normal For Most People But Tragedies For Introverts

    Nobody understands how horrible it is to speak on the phone or run into an acquaintance on the street.

    Mireya González
    by Mireya González

    BuzzFeed Staff, Mexico

    1. When someone you've only ever spoken to online wants to meet up with you in real life.

    NBC

    For many people, this is the ideal outcome after meeting someone online, but for an introvert, it's the worst. The internet is your safe place, and you want to keep it that way.

    2. Being added to a group chat with your entire class or office.

    Universal Republic Records

    You never know when to respond, or what to say, or what emojis to use. The panic you feel in a group chat is as real as the panic of having to get up in front of everyone in real life.

    3. Receiving a phone call.

    EMI, Parlophone y Capitol Records

    Nobody understands the anxiety you feel when you see that someone is trying to call you. In fact, when it does happen, you respond with "Oh, I missed your call" because you absolutely would rather be texting than talking.

    4. Speaking in public.

    Flower Films

    It doesn't matter who the audience is, how big they are, how receptive they are to what you're saying... you're an introvert, and this is one of the most painful experiences you can go through.

    5. Needed to get in touch with someone, and getting a hold of their number, but it's a landline.

    CBS

    You know what that means, don't you? You're going to have to DIAL THEIR NUMBER, speak to them IN REAL TIME, try to avoid accidentally INTERRUPTING THEM, and so on, and so on. The whole experience is enough to make you ill.

    6. Going to a bar or restaurant that has Wi-Fi, but doesn't have the password posted anywhere obvious.

    NBC

    You have to find a server or bartender, and then work up the courage to look them in the eyes and ASK for the password. How humiliating.

    7. Going to a new school or starting a new job and having to introduce yourself to a large group of strangers.

    FOX

    Most people would take advantage of the opportunity to make new, lifelong friends, but for an introvert, those are the worst few minutes of their lives.

    8. When a group or musician you love does a live show where you live.

    NBC

    You have two options: cry because you can't go, since the anxiety of the situation is too much for you to handle, or cry because you are going and you'll need to mingle with other human beings.

    9. Having to do anything as a team.

    NBC

    Group or team work is totally insignificant to most people. In fact, a lot of people seem to enjoy it because it opens up their social circle, and they can learn from new people, and blah blah blah. For you, it's an excuse for faking your own death.

    10. Winning an award.

    NBC

    It doesn't matter if it's a simple recognition for your work, or an all-expense-paid vacation around the world. Having to get up in front of a group of people to receive an award, and then being cheered on and encouraged to say a few words is enough to obliterate any feeling of joy you might have had.

    11. Having the answer to a question being asked.

    imgur.com

    It's especially bad when it happens in a classroom. Nobody seems to know the answer to a question being posed... except you. But you could never handle the pressure of having all those eyes on you as you give the answer.

    12. Being introduced to someone.

    FOX

    Introverts have a few, close friends who they can interact with without any issues. But if someone new tries to join the group, their universe can shatter into a million little bits of pure anxiety.

    13. Having a surprise party thrown for you.

    Monty Brinton / CBS

    It means having to do the two things you hate most in life: talking to people, and being the center of attention.

    14. Running into someone you know on the street.

    CBS

    Not that it happens all that often, since you've mastered the art of avoiding eye contact with every person you pass on the street.

    15. Receiving invites to events on Facebook.

    Channel 4

    Most people ignore them, but it triggers an avalanche of concerns for you: "Should I go?", "Do I need to respond?", "Have I waited too long to respond?", "Will they hate me if I say I'll go and then don't?"

    16. When someone you like seems to like you back.

    ABC

    For an extrovert, this is an opportunity. For an introvert, it's chaos. But if two introverts can manage to get together, it can be pretty great!

    This post was translated from Spanish.