Tell Me Tuesday

Checking in for one of my favorite make ya think memes, Tell Me Tuesday with Suzanne at The Coloradolady. Since I’m joining in late, let’s dive right in to today’s question!

What is one thing that people say about you that is not true?

There are probably a lot of things, but the one that always amazes me is people say I’m outgoing. I am a forward, bigger than life entertainer when I’m with my friends or completely in a safe-zone, like at home, or in cyberspace, especially on my own blog, but for real? I’m actually on the shy side.

But even when I’ve taken the Meyers Briggs tests, I always come out ENTJ; Extrovert-iNtuitive- Thinker- Judgmental. Sometimes I’m ESTJ, Sensing rather than iNtutive, but always TJ and ALWAYS E. But really, I’m not an extrovert.

I don’t slip into a shell when someone approaches me, but I don’t approach people I don’t know or don’t know well. In business and school it’s different because it’s completely impractical to not be interactive, but socially, I’m a bit of a wallflower at a large gathering of people.

I think it’s a difference in interpretation. If I go to a baseball game alone, which I’ve only done once, but I enjoyed it, or when I go out to eat alone, that’s not a great courageous act of socializing. A baseball game, movie, even a museum is just enjoying an event. I tend not to talk as much when I’m alone. Again, if someone approaches me and strikes up conversation I don’t ignore them, but when I’m talking to that stranger, I have stepped out of my comfort zone to do it! And as for eating out alone, I bring a book. That’s not outgoing and social; it’s so private I don’t even want anyone I know with me.

So, I am not painfully shy, but I’m not the person who walks into a room of strangers and starts introducing myself. When I’m with people with whom I’m comfortable, I’m much more comfortable with my surroundings. I’m a people person. The thing is, those who call me outgoing, have just never seen me alone.