Introverts open up in Shy: An Anthology

Shyness is something, as Naomi K. Lewis and Rona Altrows, editors of Shy: An Anthology, published by The University of Alberta Press, point out, where "we're told, explicitly and implicitly, that our shyness can and should be overcome." She finds, as an introvert who can be extroverte...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inRocky Mountain Outlook
Main Author Alexander, Rob
Format Newspaper Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Canmore, Alta Postmedia Network Inc 01.05.2014
Subjects
BOW VALLEY
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Shyness is something, as Naomi K. Lewis and Rona Altrows, editors of Shy: An Anthology, published by The University of Alberta Press, point out, where "we're told, explicitly and implicitly, that our shyness can and should be overcome." She finds, as an introvert who can be extroverted, she's "drawn to the people who hang back. The people who don't immediately overwhelm you with talk, but who may, if they sense you are sincerely interested in them, offer a thoughtful comment or two." "In a society that values extroverts," [Elizabeth Haynes] writes, "I suggest we pay more attention to the introverts (But let's not do so in a showy way that calls undue attention to them, please). The quiet girl who watches her peers, then silently joins their play, showing them a better way to make a paper boat float. The little boy at the back of the class, drawing and writing, in his notebook. Observe them. Find out what they are good at. They might be architects, artists, writers. Be assured, they are watching, thinking, observing. There are interesting things happening in their heads that we'll never know about unless we take the time to ask. Unless we take the time to listen."