Originally Posted by
venomtrilogy
That's not how it works. People cannot change personality types. If OP is introverted or even just shy, there's nothing wrong with that. If they want to make friends abroad or even simply talk to someone, they'll find an opportunity. It takes more than just being in the vicinity of another person for an introvert to strike up a conversation. Small talk is not natural to introverts and shaming from extroverts will not change that.
Very much seconded. It's often a very misunderstood personality trait but nonetheless a deep and enduring one. If you've taken the Meyers-Briggs test it's the first and most significant letter (e.g. ISTP, ENFP, etc.)
Introverts can still function and even get people who don't know them thinking they're extroverts for a time, but the real test is what they do to recharge (more time with people, or time alone). President Obama is an excellent example...he was good with people, generally, but also guarded his family time and was accused of not schmoozing enough in off-hours. Whereas Bill Clinton was a natural extrovert (though Obama ranks higher in the historian polls of best presidents so far).
David Letterman is maybe an even better example...he got through his TV shows but was famous for being a homebody otherwise, not giving papparazzi much to go on. Johnny Carson was much the same way.