Introverts...

and Pen Pal Correspondence

By Wendy, Editor, Inky Trail News

This is my pen pal theory and I�m sticking with it. Laugh if you must, I truly feel this is a huge key to penpalling folks.

My belief is that the majority of Pen Pals are Introverts. I know I am!

I�m not putting pen friends into a little pen friend box and saying �This is a pen pal�� but I am saying that I BET the majority of pals are introverts like me.

To begin, let�s define an introvert versus an extravert so that you can categorize yourself right now. Few folks are 100% one or the other, so you�ll likely answer Yes to some of both categories, right?

Introvert: Few friends, close friends, enjoys small groups and one on one friendships.
Extravert: Lots of friends, the more the merrier.

Introvert: Finds energy within yourself, working alone in your garden, computer, reading, writing letters, etc.
Extravert: Finds energy with people, loves groups, large groups, loves to �mingle� and meet new folks, the more that�s going on (music, people, etc) the happier and more energized they are.

Introvert: I don�t do small talk very well. If I�m speaking about a topic that I LOVE (like retirement issues), I can talk your head off... but that occasion is rare. Usually I�m the mouse in the corner, listening but not contributing much, if at all.
Extravert: My sister is the extravert, will strike up a conversation with the person behind her in the grocery line! Once at a party, she says �Let�s mingle!� I said �Mingle? We don�t know anyone!� Well, that didn�t stop Lorri � off she went to meet new folks while I sat in the corner of a couch, watching, listening, and waiting to go home�

So, after all that � my theory is that the introverts of the world love letter writing as they prefer to think their thoughts out without the distractions of movements, voices, people all around them. Extraverts can and do write letters, of course, but why not pick up the phone and just call them instead (introverts likely avoid the phone!)

I�d love to hear feedback on this article � very curious to see what category you feel you would fall into � introvert or extravert, based on my descriptions above.

Now -- if you are still doubting me, think about this: My sister-in-law, Karin, went with me to a Pen Pal Weekend a few weeks ago (April 2006). I met 2-3 gals of maybe 30 pen pals attending... all gals gutsy enough to approach me to chit chat. Oddly enough - I was comfortable with that.. no problem. I introduced myself to nobody there the whole weekend. It wasn't until I was home again, putting a few photos on the web, that I realized that I had to ask another pal for names. You see, I met very few of them the whole weekend! I didn't approach them, being the *stupid* introvert that I am (yes, in this case.. I admit my introversion didn't do me well), and they didn't approach me to introduce themselves either, probably as they were introverted too.

Happy Writing! Wendy

Read Pen Pal Responses Here!

Please drop me a line to tell me what you think about my theory! I'd love to see how many of you consider yourself introverts.. really would! Thanks!