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An Introverts Group Meeting with 90 People — WTF?
I recently joined a Meetup social group for introverts. Yeah, I know, it sounds like a contradiction in terms.
But the leader seemed to have thought it all through. He had written the description to make it clear that it’s not a group for extroverts. This was a group for people who struggle with socialising to meet others who struggle with socialising.
The problem is, I’m wondering whether he’s confusing introversion with shyness and social anxiety. For me, the issue isn’t shyness or anxiety. I don’t usually have trouble talking to one person or a small group.
My issue, or rather my preference, is that I don’t like being in noisy places or surrounded by many people. I find it too overstimulating. Of course, I’m mildly autistic, so that plays a part. But I’m sure there are many non-autistic introverts who feel similarly.
This is why it baffled me to see that so many people are allowed to attend this particular group’s events. I signed up for one of them, which was going to be in the back room of a pub. But the day before the event, I saw I was one of 90 people down to attend.
90 PEOPLE! 😲
Being in a room with 89 other people is not my idea of a good time. Eight or nine people, perhaps. But 89? I don’t care whether they claim to have…
