Thanks all for the interesting replies. One thing is clear: I must and will work on developing extrovert behaviour in social situations. I don't yet find it comes easy though.

Duke

Not had chance to try this myself yet so dunno if it's any good...

The Introvert-Extrovert Test :: Create and Take Tests @ NerdTests.com

I think it hit the nail firmly on the head...

75% extroverted apparently, sounds spot on. I believe that like k said it depends on the situation and feelings at that time on how extroverted/introverted u will be. I know that some people can change their levels of extroversion when they are in a group of people, but when its just you and that person they arent nearly as loud/energetic etc. I think that you should not accept that you are one way or the other it becomes a self fufilling prophecy, i know that if i tell myself over and over that im an extrovert i will act that way, we also have the power to change and become more or less extro/introverted, i dont like being called quiet or shy i actually consider it insulting for whatever reason.. so i strive to be more extroverted and i am.. and it feels very natural to me. Also i remember when i was very young 4-7 i was seen to be very extroverted then became more and more introverted until maybe 16 then i started becoming more extroverted and in the couple years i have become extremly extroverted. Its constantly changing.

I can tell from reading a few of your posts!

Hey, there's a great question in that test:

At work, are you more bored: a) in meetings b) at your desk.

I used to work in a surgery where once a week there was a 90m lunch meeting. The doctors (of whom I was one) were meant to stay the whole time, while other staff (nurses, health visitors etc) dropped in over the course of the 90m, grabbed a sandwich, chatted, updated us on any important info about patients and left.

God I loathed it. I would think: WHY DON'T YOU ALL JUST SEND ME A DAMN EMAIL instead of making me sit here twiddling my thumbs and making f***ing smalltalk when I could be getting on with something productive. But Peter the senior partner insisted it helped 'build relationships'. Well it didn't for me! Just made me annoyed and resentful and made me associate these people with having my time wasted.

Is that an introvert attitude? I think it is!

I would say that for myself I am more shy then introvert. I consider myself an extrovert when I am comfortable in my surroundings / people I am socialising with. Howver when moved out of this comfort zone, I tend to struggle a fair bit!

Personally I don't think its a question of degree: your either an introvert or an extrovert. The acid test is if you feel like a timer has been started when you are in a social situation, and you will at some point need to eject, if being in a social situation gives you net enegy loss over time you are an introvert.

Like most people reading this thread I am lucky enough to be an introvert . This means I go into any social situation with goals to achieve because I know the time in limited and valuable, I get to critique and tune my own personality, to optimise myself by introspection. I get to be able to upgrade my minds software.

(S)