I’ve always been a quiet introverted reserved guy. I probably have a bit of social anxiety. I like to listen. Crowds and big groups aren’t my thing. I like spending time alone.

I know I look like I should be the loudest “alpha” (I hate that term) guy in the room but I’m not. For many years I felt like and I was told I was wrong for not being loud and running my mouth and dominating the conversation. I had parents, teachers, and customers tell me this. They almost seemed take offense that I wasn’t acting just like them. I had people try and “help” me be louder like they were doing something good.

I don’t know why you think that because I’m quiet and reserved that I’m afraid or scared or weak. Maybe I was weak when I was much younger but now that I’m in my thirties I’m literally not afraid of anyone. I work in a business that can be rough. I’ve had a few situations where some loud pushy jackass thought I was an easy target and I thrashed him around and dominated him like a rag doll. It’s always amazing the look on those people’s faces after I do something they did not expect.

So please when you deal with a quiet person and the first reaction is anger, or contempt or thinking they are weak please think again. Please don’t make such a simple unsophisticated assumptions because you might end up looking stupid.