A few days ago I wrote an article about the wanderlust gene. According to the hypothesis, people who possess this particular gene are extroverts. A little voice in my head objected: “what about me, the introvert?”. And my thoughts wandering. There are times that I doubt the extroverts undertands where I’m coming from. What would happen if I’d have to travel with one? What would happen to them if they’d have to share a journey with me?
Recognizing An Introvert
So what are the signs of you (or someone around you) being an introvert? I think this list from Psychology Today is quite good:
- Introverts enjoy having time to themselves
- Their best thinking occurs when they are on their own
- They are often great leaders when the group consists are self-starters
- An introvert is the last person to raise her/his hand when someone asks for something from a group
- Other people ask them about their opinion
- Introverts often wear headphones in a public situations
- They prefer not to engage with people who seem angry or upset
- They are on the receiving end when it comes to calls, texts, and emails – unless there is no choice
- An introvert does not initiate small talk with salespeople or others with whom they have casual contact
As I mentioned, I sometimes feel that extroverts do not really understand me as an introvert. I have no quick answers, I like to spend time on my own. There is no need for noise and the best ideas are born when there are no other people around. Perhaps I’m a bit peculiar travel-wise as well. People with the wanderlust gene are supposedly into risks and danger. This does not feel familiar at all.
5 Tips For Traveling With An Introvert
If I ever were to embark on a journey with an extrovert, these are the five things that I’d like that person to know about introverts.
1. Give Them Space
The fact that an introvert wants to be alone does not mean that she’s upset or that something’s wrong. Usually it’s a great way to gather thoughts, get energy, and come up with good ideas, or travel plans. If the extroverts wants to do something risky (such as socializing), it might be a good idea to part ways for a while.
2. Hear Them Out
It is sometimes difficult for introverts to make their voices heard. However, that does not mean that they don’t have anything meaningful to say.Sometimes they (or I) are a bit slow in reacting as they need to think things through before choosing the correct response. Especially in groups it’s important to give the introverts a chance to say what’s on their mind.
3. Tranquility Does Not Equal Being Bored
If you travel with an introvert, you need to understand that being calm and quiet does not equal boring or being bored. An introvert might not get super excited about everything, but that does not mean that they are not appreciating the experience.
4. Socializing Might Not Be Their Thing
Spending time with friends is great. Meeting new interesting people is often also nice. However, being forced to a constant flow of social events, networking, and meeting new people is draining and cumbersome. In other words, you might have completely opposite expectations when it comes to your trip.
5. Don’t Count On Them To Ask For Directions
Introverts don’t like talking to sales people, and they don’t like asking for directions. Maybe it is a certain kind of stubbornness, or maybe it’s fear. However, an introvert would much rather try to intercept the map than ask a stranger for directions. Even when she or he is already completely lost.
I enjoyed this a lot! As I have gotten older and have learned a lot about myself, I think I’m becoming more and more of an introvert. I am much more content to travel to a town and sit somewhere to watch the beauty and scenery than I am to walk amongst the droves of shoppers. Like you, I would much rather sit and listen than be engaged in the conversation. So, traveling with me…well, I would say, chill! We’ll get there when we get there. I don’t need the radio/CD player blaring in my vehicle or headphones in my ears. I don’t need my phone or other social media. And it’s OK if I travel alone! 😉
Oh yes, I recognise all of this so well. Being an introvert and a traveller is such a different experience than people who are really outgoing and love to strike up conversations. It is always nice to know we are not alone 🙂
The true meaning of Introverts and extroverts is very much about where they get there energies from, Introverts like being on their own as they, get their energies and recharge their battries from within themselves, extroverts on the other hand get their energies from the things that are going on around them, this doesn’t have to be people, it can just be their environment. Julie saying she likes to go to town and just sit and watch/listen is actually more of an extrovert trait than it is an introvert trait.
Thank you for your comment. I’m sure you are right about that one – and it’s a very valuable insight, also when travelling!
Now I feel a bit awkward! I definitely love to sit quietly, do my studying, my blogging, my whatever, my baking…. alone…. and I definitely get charged by doing these things in peace and quiet with my window wide open listening to the wind, watching the leaves dance, with my cat by my side…. but on the other hand, I also like to drive down the highway with the music loud and I love to engage in conversation with almost anybody! I have become bolder as I have aged, my confidence has grown, so I don’t know, I think I am a bit of both…..
Your insight into an individual’s behavioral uniqueness is refreshing. Thanks for liking my blog btw.