Is It You Sucking Me Dry?

Well, maybe sometimes I hate people,
but let me clarify.
On a sliding personality scale, I lean
more toward the introverted side.

Introvert.
It's a term used to describe shy people, right? 
Nope.

I'm not shy. I have no problem saying what's on my mind. I've been known to strike up conversations with random strangers. Just today, I launched into a conversation with a ridiculously handsome guy at the recycling center about the volumes of junk mail I receive. (No, shy isn't an issue)
I don't cringe away from confrontation and in fact, don't particularly mind a good 'clash of wills' if I feel strongly about an issue.
It really all comes down to where you draw your energy from.

Some people refuel by spending time with others in social situations or by group interaction. These people lean more heavily toward the extroverted side of the personality scale. They require more energy to arouse their minds, and they gain it from other people. They feed off of the energy of others. They need it.
                                                                                                                                                                         
Introverts do not require interaction with others to re-energize. Actually, too much 'socialization' can zap the energy right out of us and over-stimulate our minds, exhausting us mentally and physically.
People can suck us dry.
Literally.

Instead, introverts need time alone to rebuild their energy and regroup. We require much less stimulation to rouse our minds, and do so best in a quiet and less socialized atmosphere.

Although about half of the population is introverted, most activities in our world are created with the extrovert in mind. Schools encourage such activities, sitting students together in small groups to inspire socialization. Work environments are no different, with clusters of desks in offices with no barriers of privacy between them.
It's acceptable, right?
Sure. It's a grand thing if it's in your personality. If it isn't, too bad.

What happens to the introvert in these situations?
Already on edge and drained from this forced 'social interaction', we tend to sit back and let others do all of the talking. (Not to say we don't add our two cents in if we feel the need.) We miss a lot because we're too busy trying to gain some composure and assess the situation, thoughtfully considering the best answer or solution. By the time we think it all out, the opportunity is gone.

Personally, I don't seek out social interaction situations, and I'd rather stay away from activities where I might be required to work in a group. Am I able to work side by side with people? Of course, I do it every day. Do I like it? Not particularly, but sometimes you learn to adjust. I find that I'm way more productive if I can do things on my own.

We are sometimes called shy, unsociable, boring, or stuck up, but we are none of those things.
Don't judge.
No, I don't hate people.
Sometimes I just need a break from all of the suckers out there.