Can't say as I agree with the way it was written in regards to the introvert vs extrovert tension. It's written like there's some kind of active persecution going on among extraverts towards introverts. I don't buy it. There's never anyone telling you that you can't do something (within the confines of the law that is). It's like they say in Fight Club, "You determine your own level of involvement". Just like an introvert can't exactly be excluded, neither will an extrovert really go out of their way to hold someone's hand.

I tend to straddle between the ENTJ and INTJ with a slight edge to the extrovert side. Every time I've tried to hold an introverts hand at social occasions, it never ends up well. They never feel comfortable enough to consider it anything but unenjoyable. In my experience, they just end up jaded at me for not holding their hand enough or because I seem to enjoy everyone else's company more than theirs. The difference, I find, is that extroverts can handle both large social occasions AND introverted endeavors. By contrast, introverts cannot accomplish both, or would really rather not. That is why, at the end of the day, I generally go after extroverts. If we want a quiet evening together, we can both be happy in that, but we can just as easily enjoy a party.

Just like anything, you will get out of something only that which you are willing to get out of it. If you go into something expecting to not enjoy it, then you wont. Determine your own level of involvement and enjoy it =)

I think you bring up excellent points, though I must say I don't read the article as an extrovert vs introvert thing. My perspective of it tends to be more of the difficulties of lgbt introverts looking for a prospective partner when dealing with social situations. I don't expect extroverts to give a hand - in fact it annoys me that I deem to be needed to be "given a hand". Smacks of codependency, in my viewpoint.

With regards to the introverts feeling jaded or feeling left out, that's what I feel. Or used to. It's taking me years, and I have decided to accept who and what I am right now. I know I will never be able to swing with the extrovert crowd, as I simply do not have the energy to do so. Maybe one day I'll find someone that matches up with the "INFx" mbti.

I do envy you :D and keep on shootin' :)

GW

PS: I no longer subscribe to mbti; I used to use that as an excuse to be who I am. No more labels. I am who I am.