At work:
My manager: “You need to connect to people more, talk to people more”
I: “Why?”
Manager: “What do you mean why? How will people know what you are working on if you don’t talk to all?”
I: “aren’t you supposed to do that?”
Manager: “I will, but unless people see you as outgoing and gregarious, they’ll consider you an under performer, and why are you so shy about talking to people?’’
I:”no, I’m not shy. I’m just an introvert‘.
Manager: ’‘Aren’t they the same?’’
I: ‘‘No, they are not the same. Shyness is fear of social judgement whereas introverts shun social situations because they simply want to be alone, people simply drain our energy’’.
Manager: ‘‘Looks the same to me’’
I gave up.
Out of work: Hey man, what’s your weekend plan, asked my colleague. I replied, ‘I’m looking forward to curling up on the bed and finish the book I started’. He replied, ‘really? get a life dude’.