Why so anti-social?

[Kheldarson]

I hate that I'm not allowed to spend my breaks as I want without catching flak. I'm an introvert. I like to read, write, play video games, be quiet, whatever on my breaks. I talk all day at the register; why are do people insist on coming up to me when I'm obviously on my break and in the middle of something on my game to chat with me? And then get mad at me or try to guilt me when I don't speak with them?

Bad enough I have to go through generic chit-chat all day, now they want to inflict it upon me during my break because otherwise I might be seen as anti-social?

[Boozy]

I have to hide in my car during my breaks to avoid conversation.

I talk to people for 8 hours a day. Isn't that enough? Can I not take 15 minutes to myself? I'm not even an introvert. I'm just human. I can't be "on" 24 hours a day.

[Stormraven]

I've rarely had that happen - maybe I put off 'leave me alone' vibes, because I've also never been asked 'do you work here?' But when it has happened, I usually reply "I'm not anti-social, I'm just trying to read - or whatever I'm doing. If someone tries to draw me out, I simply say I'm Asocial - I like company, but don't need it, and tend to ignore them after that.

[lordlundar]

"Why are you so anti-social?"

"Have you seen society? Why in the heck would I want to be a part of it if I had a choice?"

[guywithashovel]

I used to get this sometimes back when I worked at Wal-Mart. I actually didn't mind visiting with co-workers while on my break, but when I entered the break room, I would usually sit down by myself, unless one of my close friends was in there. However, some people saw it as their duty to "socialize" me. This one girl would often say, "Why don't you come sit over here and be social?"

I think this has to do with conflict among personality types. Extroverts simply do not understand us introverts, and vice versa. This is especially true for extreme extroverts and extreme introverts. When an introvert has been in a social situation for a long time, he or she usually wants to have some time alone to recharge. However, extroverts are energized by social encounters, and usually take part in them for as long as possible. Most of the time, they are unable to understand each other.

[Lace Neil Singer]

I always used to hate it when people would come up to me while I was reading and ask, "What book are you reading?" It interrupted my flow, and annoyed me cuz they usually were not interested in the book at all, but just talking for talking's sake. So I started bringing to work my serial killer books. That soon stopped those people.

"What book are you reading?"
"Panzram. It's about this really vicious serial killer who killed loads of guys."
"Oh... that's... um, interesting." *makes quick exit*

[Boozy]

I think this has to do with conflict among personality types. Extroverts simply do not understand us introverts, and vice versa. This is especially true for extreme extroverts and extreme introverts. When an introvert has been in a social situation for a long time, he or she usually wants to have some time alone to recharge. However, extroverts are energized by social encounters, and usually take part in them for as long as possible. Most of the time, they are unable to understand each other.

I very much agree with this theory. My husband is an introvert and I can literally see him becoming progressively more exhausted at social events. Meanwhile, I'm usually just hitting my stride after a few hours.

If I have a problem socializing with a group, it's because I don't like them. I'm not introverted, but I am kind of a bitch.

[jackfaire]

I use to have this problem back in the service when I was out in field exercises. During downtime my squad leader and others would try to get me to come over and be social which meant talking to people about topics I had no interest in or play games like dominos.

Forgive me I don't care about the UFC and am not impressed by Football. Thank god in my current job I can talk to those I wish to and the rest leave me alone.

[Wingates_Hellsing]

I've been told by many-a-person that I exude 'fuck off and leave me alone' vibes. Though in my case I guess it's entirely unjustified as I spend most of my time not talking to people. Not one to date, though, has been able to pinpoint even one thing that I specifically do to drive people off though...

Still, the whole Social/Anti-Social divide has ever been cursed by all-or-nothing-ism. You're either social, a 24/7 texting gossip hound, or anti-social, the ultimate emo who hides under a cardboard box in the dark to avoid any contact with anyone....

*rambles to self about double-standards and hypocrisy for a few minutes*

[blas87]

On the other hand, I hate people who assume I'm a "sheep" because I enjoy socializing and being out and about in public and don't mind large groups, and the last thing I want to do on my weekends off is sit at home rotting.

However, I do get nervous in elbow room type bars and places where I don't know anyone but one or two people. I can understand people who get anxious and scared.

[jackfaire]

On the other hand, I hate people who assume I'm a "sheep" because I enjoy socializing and being out and about in public and don't mind large groups, and the last thing I want to do on my weekends off is sit at home rotting.

However, I do get nervous in elbow room type bars and places where I don't know anyone but one or two people. I can understand people who get anxious and scared.

That's stupid!

I get the same, "Your a sheep because you watch TV"

[Rageaholic]

I hear ya. I'm pretty introverted too and I hate the idea that by keeping to myself I am being "rude".

Personally, I don't give a shit. I get nervous enough in social situations, I don't need people telling me I'm being "rude" for trying to keep my sanity.

[crashhelmet]

When I worked tech support for "What Can Brown Do For You?" our supervisors used to ride us about not being productive during our down times. They insisted that if we didn't have a call, that we were to submit "Common Solutions" recommendations for a database. They were trying to make it so that they could hire anyone off the street and have them type in a few key words and walk someone through how to fix their problem.

Anyway.... As I said, they were constantly on us about to not be social in between calls and work on these submissions. So I did just that. When my first review rolled around, I was docked points for not being social enough with my co-workers. Never mind the fact that we went to lunch together and out for drinks after work with each other. I wasn't social enough during the time the insisted we NOT be social and work on their projects.

CH

[Lace Neil Singer]

On the other hand, I hate people who assume I'm a "sheep" because I enjoy socializing and being out and about in public and don't mind large groups, and the last thing I want to do on my weekends off is sit at home rotting.

However, I do get nervous in elbow room type bars and places where I don't know anyone but one or two people. I can understand people who get anxious and scared.

I like to go out and socialise too; just cuz I want to be left alone sometimes doesn't mean that I sit at home on weekends. Give me a weekend off work, and I'm painting the town red with the best of them. XD

However, in my break time, I want nothing more than to be left alone to read my book and eat my sandwich. Same goes for if I've been slogging my guts out all day and am knackered; some people act insulted if you don't want to go out and party after a full day at work, and with a full day the next day; or even sit and chat on the phone.

[Rageaholic]

When I worked tech support for "What Can Brown Do For You?" our supervisors used to ride us about not being productive during our down times. They insisted that if we didn't have a call, that we were to submit "Common Solutions" recommendations for a database. They were trying to make it so that they could hire anyone off the street and have them type in a few key words and walk someone through how to fix their problem.

Anyway.... As I said, they were constantly on us about to not be social in between calls and work on these submissions. So I did just that. When my first review rolled around, I was docked points for not being social enough with my co-workers. Never mind the fact that we went to lunch together and out for drinks after work with each other. I wasn't social enough during the time the insisted we NOT be social and work on their projects.

CH

Wait, they docked points for what you did during your break? Isn't that kind of illegal?