Monday, October 13, 2008

Our Progress to Date!



Thanks for all your excellent suggestions, everyone! Here is our updated version, and I'm posting it for a final round-up of ideas.

Last call! I've omitted a few that were redundant or less universal. Then, Robin and I will get our heads together and do the final editing. Thoughts, comments, additions?


THE INTROVERT'S BILL OF RIGHTS

1. Introverts have the right to claim a sacred space of their own for recharging, rebalancing or simply enjoying a single, solitary activity.

2. Introverts have the right to leave social events "early" as needed. Or not attend at all.

3. Introverts have the right to explore and choose the marketing and promotional activities that feel best suited to their unique style and preferences.

4. Introverts have the right to abstain from any marketing (or life) activities that result in boils, a resting heart rate > 120, and/or loss of any bodily function.

5. Introverts have the right to marry other introverts and bear children

6. Introverts have the right to retire to their hotel rooms for quiet and recharging time during conferences!

7. Introverts have the right to not say anything for upwards of three hours and still be considered "cool."

8. Introverts have the right not to have to explain why they need down time or alone time.

9. Introverts have the right to use email instead of the telephone.

10. Introverts have the right to wear iPods/MP3 players in ostensibly social contexts, thereby demonstrating not their introversion but their thoughtfulness.

11. Introverts have the right to not engage in conversation unless they so choose.

12. Introverts have the right to believe wallflower is not a dirty word.

13. Introverts have the right to recharge with video and/or computer games without being regarded as childish.

14. Introverts have the right to screen phone calls or cut short exhausting phone conversations as needed.

15. Introverts have the right to take walks in the middle of the day to clear their heads and recharge.

16. Introverts have the right to listen for long periods of time.

17. Introverts have the right to submit email interviews in lieu of over the phone or in-person.

18. Introverts have the right to choose the size of the crowd they participate in.

19. Introverts don't have to raise their hand in class.

20. Introverts have the right to ride conveyances of all types unmolested, and may use any ploy at their disposal to discourage small talk.

21. Introverts have the right to attend a social function and say absolutely nothing.

22. Introverts have the right not to speak up in meetings until they're damn well good and ready, without being thought of as dull-witted.

23. Introverts are allowed to (and actually like to) eat dinner at restaurants or go to movies alone.

24. Introverts don't have to be quiet all the time.

25. An introvert has the right to create a paradoxical public image, one that claims to reveal as little about themselves as humanly possible while doing the exact opposite.

26. An introvert has the right to spend time with other introverts in complete silence and not be mocked for it.

27. Introverts have the right to say no to potential house guests, without being thought of as being rude.

28. Introverts have the right not to throw parties, and still be thought of as normal human beings.

29. Introverts have the right to shut off the phone, close the curtains, lock the doors and hide at will...no explanations required.

30. Introverts have the right to read the Shrinking Violet Promotions blog and not leave a comment. :-)


<><><><><><> OPPORTUNITY <><><><><><><><><>
I am looking for someone with some graphics skills to help me with our Cafe Press Shop set-up so that we can provide some fun products for our readers. It should be fairly simple for someone that is not ... uh, ME! We have text and photos, and just need to put them on the products. I have now officially spent more time head banging over this than I can possibly afford. S.O.S. In return, I am offering personal coaching, or ms. critique, an ovary, perhaps? If you are interested, please send me an email by clicking here. Grazie!


Mary Hershey


22 comments:

Jen Robinson said...

Ah, but introverts also have the right to use comments on the Shrinking Violets blog as a form of social interaction.

Seriously, this is EXCELLENT!

acpaul said...

Would rather comment online. See 17.

Excellent job on the Bill of Rights.

I'll have to print it and nail it to the wall.

Miriam Forster said...

Hee, hee hee...

I like number 29 best!

Anonymous said...

Oh, man, some of these are ringing some angry bells in my past head. Not for me, so much, but I had a friend who was continually pressured by teachers to talk in class/participate, SMILE, for god's sake. We should post these in all schools, as well as on the web, I think!

I wish I had any graphics skills to offer you guys. I hope someone pops up!

THanks for the list.

Jennifer R. Hubbard said...

Do we all get to be original signers, like John Hancock, Button Gwinnett, et al.?
OK, I know that's the Declaration of Independence, not the Bill of Rights. Perhaps we can combine the ideas into our "Declaration of Introversion / Bill of Rights."
:-)

Shari Green said...

Awesome. :D

Ben said...

Here's a suggested ammendment to the introverts not throwing parties item--"should an introvert decide to throw a party, they have the right to retreat from their guests for short breaks without being thought unwelcoming." I have been known to do this!

Stephanie Zvan said...

Thank you so much for this. A few suggestions:

Introverts have the right, when told, "You must meet so-and-so," to say, "No. I don't. But I might do it anyway."

Introverts have the right to be wildly social for a brief period without being congratulated for it and told they're doing "better."

Introverts have the right to smile without it being treated as an invitation.

Charlotte said...

Blah--that comment above from "Book" was supposed to be from me--my son was still signed in! Just so you know...

And Becky, your comment about the friend who was told to "smile" really hits a nerve...

Sonja Cole said...

Introverts have the right to bring a book wherever they go and to read it whenever they feel like it no matter who thinks they are retreating or using it as a "crutch".

the mad LOLscientist said...

#25 FTW!

Introverts have the right to keep people physically at arm's length and to tell them in no uncertain terms that they're crowding us and that they'd better back the hell off if they insist on coming closer.

Introverts have the right to initiate a touch if we feel so inclined, but not to be expected to do so. We also have the right to expect that others will not assume they can touch us. (I hate it when people touch me. I even hate to shake hands. I wish it were acceptable in Western culture to do Asian bow or "namaste" gesture instead. And never, ever touch me when I'm upset - it makes me want to jump out of my skin.)

Introverts have the right not to let anyone, even friends, into our houses or apartments, and to have it understood that invading our living space is like invading us.

Introverts have the right not to give a flying fuck about popular culture and fashion.

Introverts have the right to have it understood that "introverted" is not a synonym for "antisocial."

Introverts have the right to be taken at our word when we say we're introverts, even though we may happen to be acting extroverted at the time.

Introverts have the right not to be taken at face value. The packaging is not the contents, and what you're seeing on the outside may very well be a smokescreen we're putting up until we get to know you and the situation better.

Introverts have the right not to have people try to "change" us.

Introverts have the right not to have people feel sorry for us.

Introverts have the right to have only a couple of "friends" among our circle of acquaintances.

Introverts have the right not to be dragged into party games, "icebreakers," white elephant or pollyanna gift exchanges, or any other such "social" stupidity.

Introverts have the right not to socialize with coworkers.

Introverts have the right not to be jumped on by "greeters."

Introverts have the right to say no and mean it.

Introverts have the right not to be "recruited" or otherwise pressured.

Introverts have the right to take longer to "test the water" and to wade in rather than diving in headfirst (or worse, being thrown in).

Introverts have the right to work alone if circumstances permit, without being hassled for not being a "team player."

Introverts have the right to have it understood that degrees of involvement and interaction are important to our comfort levels, and that there's a big difference between being around or alongside other people and being with them.

Introverts have the right to be invited to social events just like anyone else even if we don't usually accept. We may surprise you by occasionally accepting and even being the life of the party.

Introverts have the right to have it understood that we can be excellent observers of interpersonal situations and often have a better handle on things from the quiet of the "sidelines" than do people who are fully occupied in the thick of it.

Introverts have the right to have it understood that introversion is not a sign of fear. We simply prefer the peace and quiet of our own company and our own thoughts.

Introverts have the right not to be pestered by people who try to latch onto people because they hate (or are afraid of) being alone. We are not your bleeping life preserver, b*tchz. Learn to swim.

I know that's an awfully long list, but I've had 55 years to compile it. YMMV; AWYSB. :-)

Theo Bromine said...

Introverts have the right not to feel guilty about not knowing how to be outgoing to those who are even more introverted.

And a corollary: If an introvert hosts a party, s/he has a right not to be admonished by extrovert guests about not doing enough to encourage guest "mixing".

Anonymous said...

Oh man! Can I save this? I love it! I'm an introvert and it says so much about me.

Dave Barber
http://finepoetry.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

Sorry, I have to add one.

Introverts have a right to go to a store without having to meet "someone/anybody we know."

Dave Barber

Denise Eagan said...

Yes! Finally, permission to be the hermit I have always aspired to being. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

It was rather interesting for me to read the article. Thanks for it. I like such themes and everything connected to this matter. I would like to read a bit more soon.

Sincerely yours

Bruce Watson said...

Thanks for sharing such a great post about these exotic fucking girls. I love all the pornstars and their porn videos.Thanks for sharing such a great post about these exotic fucking girls. I love all the pornstars and their porn videos.Thanks for sharing such a great post about these exotic fucking girls. I love all the pornstars and their porn videos.Thanks for sharing such a great post about these exotic fucking girls. I love all the pornstars and their porn videos.Thanks for sharing such a great post about these exotic fucking girls. I love all the pornstars and their porn videos.Thanks for sharing such a great post about these exotic fucking girls. I love all the pornstars and their porn videos.

Bruce Watson said...

Thanks for sharing such a great post about these exotic fucking girls. I love all the pornstars and their porn videos.Thanks for sharing such a great post about these exotic fucking girls. I love all the pornstars and their porn videos.Thanks for sharing such a great post about these exotic fucking girls. I love all the pornstars and their porn videos.Thanks for sharing such a great post about these exotic fucking girls. I love all the pornstars and their porn videos.Thanks for sharing such a great post about these exotic fucking girls. I love all the pornstars and their porn videos.Thanks for sharing such a great post about these exotic fucking girls. I love all the pornstars and their porn videos.

William said...

All the time I found something new information from your blogs. Thanks for sharing .hey... Great work . I feel nice while i reading blog .You are doing well. Keep it up. We will also provide QuickBooks Customer Service Contact us +1-855-756-1077 for instant help.

AnnaSereno said...

Hey! Excellent work. Being a QuickBooks user, if you are struggling with any issue, then dial QuickBooks Phone Number (877)603-0806. Our team at QuickBooks will provide you with the best technical solutions for QuickBooks problems.

Adley Smith said...

The ordering process is relatively easy. After opening the website, there are several fields that you need to fill. You may not provide 3d porn games your real name here. The next procedure will be filling the form about your assignment. You will have to select the type of paper, subject, paper format, and sources. You will then fill in the information that you are being asked for.

Anonymous said...

I'm here to let everyone know that there is a cure for HERPES, The doctors have succeeded in letting people living with Herpes know that there is no cure for Herpes and they have been enslaved to the antiviral and other supplementary Orthodox medicine just to help suppress the virus and not a cure. I got diagnose of herpes1 January this year 2021 and i did not believe in my doctor that no cure for herpes rather i went into research online and I was introduce to Dr PUMA a herbal healer by a blogger who also narrated Her story online on how she was cured of Herpes after using Dr PUMA Herbal Medicine. I got the herbal medicine from Dr PUMA and made use of it as I was instructed. I went to the clinic for a checkup after two weeks of using the herbal product. My result came out Negative and I was booked another appointment after 30 days to confirm my result and the test still showed Negative and I was given the green light that I am fully free from herpes. All thanks to God for using this Great herbalist to heal me. You can contact Dr PUMA in any over health problems like : HIV, DIABITIES, AUTIMS E.T.C no him email: drpumaherbalhome@gmail.com or WhatsApp +2348050495479.