I wouldn't call myself "shy' but I far, far prefer being by myself or perhaps in the company of one or a few than being in a party. The word "party" often makes me make a face. See, I have a mild hearing loss, and if there's much noise at all, I can't hear someone speaking to me. A party is a perfect place to have to smile and nod and try to remain pleasant, all the time having NO FREAKING IDEA what's being said.
Now, add to that the fact that I personally prefer quieter, lighter music. Anything from pop to light rock to classical. Most of which isn't party music. So imagine adding that to the noise mix. By that point, I have no clue what anyone is saying to me, about me, or near me. I get no kick from standing around and smiling.
Now, add to that the fact that I rarely drink. Tried it, but as the song goes, "I get no kick from champagne." So, drinking is no reason for me to enjoy a party. And if that's what most of the people around me are doing, I'll feel even more out of place.
(Luckily, the art of **smoking** has generally fallen by the wayside and is relegated to the outdoors now, so my final Party Dislike is somewhat rare these days. However -- at least where I live -- one can still smoke in clubs and taverns, which is where some party groups seem to gravitate to. Add smoking to the mix and I am out of there. Can't stand it, period.)
So that's my situation. If I can hear those I'm with -- generally meaning a very small group -- I'm okay with it. Anything noisier and I feel Totally Out Of Place and wish I'd be somewhere else. Sadly, that can happen even in a restaurant with a group ("party") for a birthday.
I've been onstage and used to be on the radio -- that doesn't bother me much at all. I can speak in front of a crowd. I guess it's the getting-lost-in-the-noise that repels me the most.
Just give me a good book and/or some good music and my puppydog. I'm perfectly happy at home!
Thanks for sharing with us and I hope you don't mind my sharing right back.
Hi, ISTJ here
I wouldn't call myself "shy' but I far, far prefer being by myself or perhaps in the company of one or a few than being in a party. The word "party" often makes me make a face. See, I have a mild hearing loss, and if there's much noise at all, I can't hear someone speaking to me. A party is a perfect place to have to smile and nod and try to remain pleasant, all the time having NO FREAKING IDEA what's being said.
Now, add to that the fact that I personally prefer quieter, lighter music. Anything from pop to light rock to classical. Most of which isn't party music. So imagine adding that to the noise mix. By that point, I have no clue what anyone is saying to me, about me, or near me. I get no kick from standing around and smiling.
Now, add to that the fact that I rarely drink. Tried it, but as the song goes, "I get no kick from champagne." So, drinking is no reason for me to enjoy a party. And if that's what most of the people around me are doing, I'll feel even more out of place.
(Luckily, the art of **smoking** has generally fallen by the wayside and is relegated to the outdoors now, so my final Party Dislike is somewhat rare these days. However -- at least where I live -- one can still smoke in clubs and taverns, which is where some party groups seem to gravitate to. Add smoking to the mix and I am out of there. Can't stand it, period.)
So that's my situation. If I can hear those I'm with -- generally meaning a very small group -- I'm okay with it. Anything noisier and I feel Totally Out Of Place and wish I'd be somewhere else. Sadly, that can happen even in a restaurant with a group ("party") for a birthday.
I've been onstage and used to be on the radio -- that doesn't bother me much at all. I can speak in front of a crowd. I guess it's the getting-lost-in-the-noise that repels me the most.
Just give me a good book and/or some good music and my puppydog. I'm perfectly happy at home!
Thanks for sharing with us and I hope you don't mind my sharing right back.