Introverted poster/introvert in life?

[Raindrop]

Does anyone else suffer from this? I visit, I lurk and I post occasionally, usually under the spinning forum because I'm an instructor for the last decade. But, I'm also an outdoor rider that, I guess, feels like I can't offer much to the on-going discussions. I did post my pain when my brother died, and read the responses and appreciated all of them.

I also own my own business (personal training), but have a hard time joining in on the nutrition/diet/training conversations because, although I do well face-to-face, I have a hard time putting my knowledge and personality down in words.

So...it ends up being me, lurking and having conversations in my head.

Are there any other lurkers out there that can empathize with me, or am I the only one?

Forums can be cruel sometimes, and maybe that's where I've gotten sort of gun-shy.

[five one]

No, you're not the only one. I'm very much the same as you and understand completely what you are saying. I tend to be rather quiet (not to be confused with shy) in "real" life. Get me in a group of strangers and I'll be the one listening to everyone and only occasionally speaking up, if at all. I seem to be the same here, posting only once in a while, though I've been around lurking for over three years. I don't really know why. It's just more comfortable for me to read what others write and then log off.

Judging by the numbers of times a thread is read compared to the numbers of postings in that thread, I'd say there are a lot of quiet lurkers out there.

[Thistle]

Hey raindrop i was wondering how you were going?

I do post, but i kind of understand the introverted stuff. Often after i post i think "omg... what have i done, people will think i'm a complete moron"

but i've gotta say... that's what i like about TE... everyone seems to treat everyone's opinion with respect and nobody has told me i'm a complete idiot yet

but, whether you post or just read, i dont think it matters. Just wanted you to know that there are others who feel self-conscious too. I mean i even changed my login cos i know the trouble-maker at work knows i go to this site and i worry about her reading my posts... how silly is that?

oh well, it's just who i am... a worrier with low self-esteem but as i say, no one here has ever made me feel that way, quite the opposite, everyone has been lovely.... which is why i'm still here


so i say post when you feel like it, and some days be brave and post anyway... i love reading other people's contributions!

[Mr. Bloom]

Thistle x 2 here.

THe old 80/20 rule seems to hold up in life, so my guess is that 80% of the posts come from 20% of the users. So, that means ya'll are in the majority, not the minority!

Savor who you are, the strength of your personality as it is...knowing that when you really have something you want to say, you have a safe place to say it.

[Thorn]

Heck no you're not the only one. I think I lurked here for a year before I even built up the courage to register and then a couple more weeks to post! For me, it is the normal foot-in-mouth problem (?keyboard in mouth?)....even if I take the time to think through a post, I still fear miswording something and being misinterpretted (OK, it doesn't help that I have a slightly warped sense of humor and forget the smiley faces).

But, I'm sure Raindrop that more people would post to empathize, but....uh...they're still out there lurking and only thinking about answering :-)

[Triskeliongirl]

Forums can be cruel sometimes, and maybe that's where I've gotten sort of gun-shy.

That is an interesting comment. To me TE is anything but cruel. Its very unusual to see a cruel or disrespectful post here, its part of the culture. Obviously I am an extrovert so while I can't understand how you feel from direct experience, I can say participate how ever is comfortable for you, but don't not post because you are afraid of cruel treatment.

[mimitabby]

at least you guys are consistent.
I use this board to combat boredom at work and a certain amount of loneliness.
(two of my best friends moved away.... and I really don't have any girlfriends in town anymore...)
when you meet me I am very quiet and shy. Quite different from the loquacious soul i am on the forum.

I understand there are many many lurkers and that's pretty normal behavior.
I'm a writer too, maybe that makes it easier for me to post on here (and everywhere!)

[KnottedYet]

I'm also terribly shy the first time I meet someone or go somewhere new. But I'm also pretty goofy, so once I get over the shyness I go a little overboard. (ok, a *lot* overboard!)

It took me a long time to get a grasp of the online forum stuff. I like lurking until I know a place.

[Deborajen]

Forums can be cruel sometimes, and maybe that's where I've gotten sort of gun-shy.

I've been to other forums where the participants are a lot less respectful than they are at TE. That is, in part, caused by the opposite of the introverted poster/introvert in life - some people are much more brave and will say anything online because they don't have to show their face or reveal their true identity. I like TE because discussion is usually very civilized but I, too, am a little gun-shy with forums in general. I'm turned off by those "brave" folk.

I agree with Mr. Silver that probably 80% of the posts come from 20% of the participants. There are definitely some "regulars" here who do a lot of posting. That's not a bad thing - this is a good, active forum. But it can be overwhelming to newbies and less frequent posters whose questions or comments are quickly buried and overlooked. Can be hard to jump in.

Deb

[KnottedYet]

There are definitely some "regulars" here who do a lot of posting. That's not a bad thing - this is a good, active forum. But it can be overwhelming to newbies and less frequent posters whose questions or comments are quickly buried and overlooked. Can be hard to jump in.

Deb

Umm, I guess that would be me.... sorry.

I think part of why TE is relatively civil is because so many of us ride together, so we do know each other in real life.

[Trek420]

welcome to the board and post away!!!!

Some of us have been here a while. Meet the TE top 5 (posters that is)*

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...hlight=posters

You're right....I'll log off, shut up ... and train!!



*PS: in real life, I'm not shy, I will talk to anyone but I'm very quiet.

[sbctwin]

I too have a difficult time communicating and lurk more than I post. Since discovering TE in Oct.06, I feel I found a place where people are accepting. I have many replies to other posts, but my "shyness " creaps in and I don't reply . I like the accepting nature of TE...mostly women cyclists from all walks of life, all ages, all here with the idea of furthering the success of their fellow women cyclists. The support and encouragement is overwhelming and wonderful...hopefully one day, I will feel more comfortable posting

[mimitabby]

welcome to the board and post away!!!!

also some of us have been here a while.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...hlight=posters

perhaps you're right though....I'll log off, shut up ... and train!!

Trek, Knot and I are catching up to you!!

[Trek420]

Trek, Knot and I are catching up to you!!

just call out when you pass me

Top 5 as of right now:
5585 SadieKate
3894 Veronica
3718 me
3167 Mimitabby
3085 Knott

But there's so many here I'd give the "quality not quantity" award too.

As I compiled this list there are members I was surprised how few posts they had written. That was because I'd read each one or many of them and have such a sense of the person "oh, you ride here, did this, posted that".

[SadieKate]

Uh, Trek? Could you re-do those stats on posts per day? Total posts is very indicative of length of TE membership while posts/day is more indicative of what the poor shy lurkers see in the daily conversations. And I ask this not because my name will drop off the list.

And, you lurkers! I encourage you to post because you'll make some fabulous friends. Because I spoke up my circle of friends grew from hubby only to a whole bunch of TE women and their partners. Now, how cool is that?