Quiet People in a Noisy World

We’re excellent at seeing risk. “Many introverts don’t feel as if they know enough about a subject until they know almost everything,” says Dr. Laney. While an extrovert might charge ahead and jump at opportunities without noticing potential problems, the introvert’s naturally cautious nature brings more consistent success.

The future favors introverts. In the personal realm, “there can be something attractive about the mystery factor of introverts,” says Dr. Laurie Helgoe, author of Introvert Power. “That can inspire curiosity and wanting to know the person better.” Which can only be good for shidduchim. And work-wise, with remote employment becoming more common, and ever-growing dependence on technology, the world increasingly caters to intellectuals who work independently in quiet spaces.

The Spectrum

“Extrovert” and “introvert” are general descriptions. When you look at introverts more closely, you’ll see that there are different sorts:

Social introverts are the kind we think of when we hear the word “introvert.” They prefer to be alone or in a small group, but they’re not shy and anxious around others.