Ruth+S’s+Final+AmEx+Speech+2016


 * “Why I’m Shy” **

I often find it difficult answering questions regarding who I am. Or better yet, “why I’m shy”, which I more often than not just reply with a shrug, further adding to the point that I am too shy to speak. But that's not really the case (unless I'm public speaking) in most situations I am not scared of talking, I simply don’t have anything to say; see, starting conversations is not my specialty. I prefer being quiet when I am around others I don’t know, I like to read whenever I can, and I run away if I see people that I know outside school. But what is considered normal in our society is constantly being surrounded by others and expected to work well in large groups; if you’re not a social butterfly, then what are you?

Look at how jobs and school systems are structured- constant go go go environments set up for people who feed off the energy of others and find stimulation necessary to excel. With more than 7 billion people in the world I understand why learning to work and communicate with others is essential, and I am by no means saying that we should shun people and live inside our own little bubbles. I’m here to recognize the people who get overlooked because they seem different- the quiet ones, those who are either too shy to speak or who are simply reserved people.

And it's true, extroverts and introverts differ in the ways they re-energize and act around people because of the way our brains are wired. Psychologist Jennifer Granneman explained simply, “Dopamine is a chemical released in the brain that provides motivation to seek external rewards like earning money, climbing the social ladder, attracting a mate, etc..”. See when extroverts are faced with something that excites them, like talking to a crush, their dopamine is more active than in an introvert’s. In an effort to study human behaviour psychologist Even Carl Jung in the 1920s discovered humans used their brain capacities differently, Jung believed most people fall under two attitudes - inversion and extraversion. If you feel excited when you’re out and about with people and would want to be recognized as having made an impact on the world, then you could be noted as an extrovert. On the other end of the spectrum there are those who are comfortable with the world of ”thoughts and feelings” and allow for the world to make an impact on them. Introverted people should not have to feel bad for wanting to be alone, or feel judged for that reason. Of course all people need to have social interactions to keep themselves sane, but knowing how introverted and extroverted people choose to socialize is important. For instance, my best friend can be in a meaningful conversation within two minutes of meeting someone and I always tend to get stuck in awkward small talk. I tend to lean more towards introverted but can be extroverted when necessary - as a barista I am constantly talking and listening to people everyday. Like myself there are people who can be in the middle, both introverted and extroverted called ambiverts (AM-BIH-VERTS). Learning about different personalities and behaviours allow me to better understand people and why it is that someone would rather stay home on a Friday night and watch movies *point to self* then go out. See I want to live in an America where it is socially acceptable to be introverted. Where reserved and quiet people are not overlooked. Where people are not being judged for simply being who they are.