| While social anxiety and isolation are painful for those | | | | difficult for you to strike up a conversation or maintain |
| who suffer from it, it is important to make a distinction | | | | casual social interaction in awkward situations. Also, |
| between shyness, and simply having a quiet | | | | some people seem to be shy on the outside, while |
| disposition—especially in children and teenagers. | | | | hey actually are more of the observer type. They |
| Because mislabeling someone as "shy", especially in | | | | always prefer to sit back, observe, and analyze what |
| the beginning of their lives could have very serious and | | | | goes on around them. Many people do this in order to |
| troubling consequences. It tends to become s | | | | gain valuable social information and perspective. Look |
| self-fulfilling prophecy. Someone who is labeled "quiet" | | | | at how a spy, or a private eye, behaves for instance. |
| is usually not affected, nor offended, by the label. | | | | They usually speak a lot less than the rest of the |
| Being quiet, as opposed to being shy, does not create | | | | group—but they come out at the end with more |
| anxiety or stress. A shy person thrown into a social | | | | benefit! |
| situation will develop an anxious, distressed, reaction; | | | | A quiet disposition is something that might not seem |
| whereas a quiet person might not perceive him/herself | | | | very glamorous, but it has many advantages. Quiet |
| as socially inadequate. Also, a quiet person when | | | | people are usually good listeners and not intrusively |
| speaking in public will not suffer from socially anxiety. | | | | self-centered. |
| However, overcoming shyness is essential if you are | | | | Finally, if you, or someone you love, is painfully shy |
| after effective public speaking skills. | | | | –not just quiet. It is imperative that it does not |
| If you would like to determine if you or someone close | | | | become the main focus of your life. Even if your goal |
| to you, is shy or simply quiet. You need to analyze the | | | | is overcoming your shyness and social anxiety, you |
| situations where you, or your loved one, experience | | | | stand to benefit from the advantages of being quiet. |
| social withdrawal and shyness. Also, note what are the | | | | Use the opportunity to listen better and get to know |
| alternative behaviors adopted. If, for instance, in cocktail | | | | people more; you will be surprised what you can find |
| parties or a social gatherings, you tend to always take | | | | out about someone when you truly listen to them. Also, |
| a step back because you feel out of place-- do not | | | | try to enjoy the company of others, as surely they |
| assume that it is because you are painfully shy; your | | | | enjoy how they can shine in your company without |
| feelings may actually be valid. If you socialize with a | | | | any interruptions from you. With these qualities, you |
| group whom you do not share much in common with, | | | | can become many people's confidant—a role quiet |
| and you are an introvert by nature, it may be very | | | | people in general excel at. |