Reply to Why do people think introversion is an excuse to be rude?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I understand that American culture was built by and for extroverts, and that it can be exhausting.  However, I’m a little annoyed when I see people point to their introversion as a reason to not participate, not be polite or even not to interact.  It seems more like an excuse to act like a jerk than a legitimate characteristic, in some scenarios.[/quote]

Agree OP.  Skipping social work obligations is one thing, but not saying hello or good morning or acknowledging your coworkers is just plain RUDE.[/quote]

I agree that refusing to just acknowledge people when you interact with them is rude, and I'm definitely an introvert (in that I don't love large group situations and get really easily drained by parties/gatherings where I need to make a lot of small talk with many people, like office holiday parties).

But I've never encountered someone who didn't greet people and blamed it on introversion. I've been told this is generational (I am mid-40s, on the cusp of Gen X and Millenial, and I have mostly encountered this from people younger than I am). I've been told by younger Millenials and Gen Zers that greeting coworkers or saying hello to your barista, bus driver, or other service individuals, or simply acknowledging the people you are waiting with at the bus stop or in a waiting room (not making small talk, but just smiling hello or saying "thanks, have a good one" when you get your coffee) is "old person behavior" because it is "unnecessary." A lot of the younger people I know who reject this kind of interaction consider it small talk, but I don't think it qualifies. To me, small talk is when you actually make conversation -- ask questions or offer observations or commentary about surface topics like the weather, traffic, what people do for a living, etc.

I think some people have this idea that NOTHING should be required of them socially. And they think these social niceties are just a burden. They don't understand that if you just put in this small amount of effort, you also benefit. It is nicer to live in a world where people acknowledge each other and occasionally smile at one another or wish each other well. It's a tiny thing that makes life significantly more worth living. It's not a burden, it's an opportunity.[/quote]

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