Hi Toot,  Being the middle child of a family of 3 girls, I was the shy one. Big sister liked to discuss topics with our father and an arguement usually occurred. The youngest one was the show-off, look at me, and dancing around the room. I sat on the wall and never took sides. Growing up was painful as I went to a Catholic school and the Nuns treated us badly. Always getting hit. Once I started work and made friends I got more confidence. WhenI met my husband, he was 36 and I 22. He was very worldly and brought me out of my shell. We had a wonderful life and raised 2 sons. Hubby was an extrovert and was the life of a party. Now I am in my old age, a widow, and have a great set of friends. We always have time for each other. My boys have their own lives to lead now so friends are so important.

Personally I've no idea where I fit on the spectrum between one or the other extravert/introvert-wise, don't care actually for some reason. Different reactions in different situations seems to be my bent. As for successful marriages, absolutely no idea again.

The older I get, the less I know ... the more I delve into obscure things, the more I realise those who have delved before and the rich heritage of knowledge they leave ... but the curiousity is still there ... to explore stuff I've never heard about before. Fun for me.

:) Toot and Hola ... speaking of marriages, confidence and 'big mouths who can't shut up' .. this cracks me up every time I watch it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4oydSZTAns

I've always regarded myself to be a mix of extrovert and introvert and I do think that most people are a mix who feel at ease in some situations and less at ease in others. Many reflections over the years have helped me to develop a degree of inward security but perhaps one of the more potent ones was realising when I was young that people see what they want to see so it is pretty futile to try to turn oneself inside out to meet others expectations of you. That realisation when young helped me to always feel at ease with being my own person and not having to conform to please others. Another big one which developed in my late 30s was learning to love and care for myself, to challenge and stop negative, harsh internal dialogue and develop gentleness with myself. I think self development never ends until the day we die but each little bit of self-realisation along the way is rewarding in terms of inner security. 

I would tell you about myself but I'm too introverted!

Ever noticed how when some people walk into a room, everyone notices? I used to be jealous of this personality trait but life experience has taught me that I had it all wrong, most only want to talk about themselves and really couldn't care less what you think or have to say. 

You've probably noticed it among your personal friends too, there is always one who talks and talks and talks and never asks you once how you are going or what you've been up to, you just sit there nodding and the whole experience has been a waste of time.  It drives me nuts.

I am an "ambivert" - when I'm with smart, intelligent people you can't shut me up.

But when I am with fools, which is rare, I stand and stare at them in amazement.