People who are shy often hesitate before trying something new. They often prefer watching others before joining in on a group activity. They usually take longer to warm up to new people and situations. Sometimes being quiet and introverted is a sign that someone has a naturally shy personality.
A shy person may experience fear of interaction because they feel others may evaluate them negatively. Because of this, they may avoid social situations. On the other hand, introverts may tend to avoid large social gatherings because they are easily overstimulated, which leads them to feel overwhelmed.
What Causes Shyness? Shyness emerges from a few key characteristics: self-consciousness, negative self-preoccupation, low self-esteem and fear of judgment and rejection. Shy people often make unrealistic social comparisons, pitting themselves against the most vibrant or outgoing individuals.
Shyness Statistics
According to surveys, nearly half of the U.S. population (about 48%) is shy. For most of them (80-85% of shy people), their shyness is an invisible struggle, with no external signs of their discomfort. For the remaining 15-20%, their shyness is displayed for everyone to see.
Your modesty is endearing
And they're perceived as very personable as a result. While bolder types may wade in and immediately take charge of a conversation, you prefer to hold back and listen. To others, you appear modest, empathetic and non-threatening, which are all attractive qualities.
Shyness can mean feeling uncomfortable, self-conscious, nervous, bashful, timid, or insecure. People who feel shy sometimes notice physical sensations like blushing or feeling speechless, shaky, or breathless. Shyness is the opposite of being at ease with yourself around others.
Shy people don't think they're more important than others
But it is a trait that most of us find very likable and attractive in others. In fact, psychologists have consistently found that both men and women rate humility as one of the most desirable traits in a partner.
Women report themselves to be higher in neuroticism, agreeableness and more shy and anxious, whereas men report themselves to be higher in assertiveness (Costa et al., 2001). It is postulated that gender creates a huge amount of difference between male and female.
Shyness is common, and it refers to feeling uncomfortable in social situations. Often, if someone feels shy, they can still motivate themselves to perform when needed. Social anxiety, however, is an anxiety disorder that can affect someone's quality of life.
Shyness doesn't always go away over time, but children can learn to be more confident and comfortable interacting with other people.
Shy people want to build connections with people but they're too anxious or lack social skills. Their fears of making mistakes control their actions. They feel hesitant and awkward when interacting with others and often turn inward to shelter themselves from social situations.
If you are nervous, you might frown, look worried or look away. If you are wary or uneasy, you might look guarded, defensive or cross your arms. If you feel shy or unsure, you might cover your mouth or face with your hand or look at the ground.
Although shyness is not considered a psychiatric disorder, the experience of shyness can create sufficient affective discomfort and problems in the personal, social and professional lives of shy individuals.
No correlation (positive or negative) exists between intelligence and shyness. Research indicates that shy children have a harder time expressing their knowledge in social situations (which most modern curricula utilize), and because they do not engage actively in discussions teachers view them as less intelligent.
Extremely shy people become socially excluded, run the risk of mental disorders, struggle to form friendships and relationships and have a higher risk of physical illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease.
There's a lot of evidence out there that shows introverted people are more intelligent on average. For example, a study done by The Gifted Development Center showed that 60 percent of gifted children are introverts. Studies also show that introverts are more verbally intelligent than extroverts.
Introverts are self-sufficient, and it's why they're so quiet. A quiet person's personality is inward, which means they naturally search themselves for comfort. Since they keep a small circle, they develop the habit of self-reliance by finding ways to cater to their needs.
Most children feel shy from time to time but the lives of some are severely curtailed by their shyness. Children who suffer from extreme shyness may grow out of it as they mature or they may grow up to be shy adults. Parents can help their children to overcome mild shyness.
Characteristics Men Like In Shy Women
Some men find shy women appealing and feminine. Shy women may appear to have innocent charm. Some men enjoy the concentrated attention of shy women. Many men like a woman who is shy everywhere but in the bedroom.
Some girls may like shy guys, while others may not, just as some women may prefer outgoing men to those who are more reserved. Moreover, some women may like certain shy men and dislike others, choosing to focus on a person as a whole rather than a small sliver of someone's personality.
Girls look for guys who are cute and good looking, but it's a personal taste as to what matters the most. Girls are much more interested in a warm smile and nice eyes (these may be what a girl looks for in a guy physically), but it's what's on the inside that counts.
In many cases, social awkwardness comes from extreme anxiety. Social anxiety is more than just feeling shy. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that 12.1% of U.S. adults experience a social anxiety disorder at some time in their lives.
Introvert girls are often considered to be dull and boring, but that isn't the case. Introverts may talk less but their silent energy is infectious and makes for an attractive quality. They are amazing people with great depths.