True, in your context, but, universally, introverts can have a hard time socially, because they are introverts.
And if that applies to me, it's my problem, not yours.
So, sure, just like at a party, not introducing yourself/avoiding people is one way to not be welcomed...and, so is taking all the snacks and putting them into your pockets, or getting drunk and vomiting on the host, and so forth.
This is not a party, and there is a big difference between sitting quietly and puking on the host. Don't be silly.
Just because there are more than one way to not be accepted doesn't mean you should not at least attempt being accepted.
I do attempt to be accepted. I attempt to be accepted by posting what interests me on forums that cater to such topics, and by not intentionally pissing other people off.
On the plus side, in a forum like this at least...if you never post at all, you are invisible, and no one will be looking at you wondering if you're an axe murderer, etc....unlike at that party, etc.
Sometimes I prefer to just lurk and be quiet. Sometimes I prefer that people not notice me. Sometimes I do like to be engaged. Other times, I would rather watch from a distance. I'm not afraid of being forgotten because I know that I won't be. When I want the people to look at me, they will.
At a party, etc...
If the "quiet guy" suddenly gets up, and says "Look at these pictures!", people at the party might look, but, they are also wondering what's this guy's story.
If it were a party, I wouldn't show pictures of my lasers. I'd show the lasers themselves. Sensibly, of course, but I would.
But focus, now. This a laser enthusiast forum, not a college party. They are not the same, and do not follow the same rules. Surely that makes sense, doesn't it?
If his ONLY communication is to share pics of his favorite topic...and he seems otherwise harmless, they might relax and say, hmmm, maybe he's just got Aspergers?
Maybe he does have Asperger's. Would that offend you?
So, if you don't see why it might matter, you MIGHT have Aspergers for example (Sliding scale on that one obviously...), or, it might be a coincidence that you have trouble communicating with people/understanding why they feel the way they feel, etc.
If I don't see why it matters, then maybe it just doesn't matter to me. Am I making trouble for you, by being quiet and commenting on what interests me?
Being very shy can be a handicap in of itself...as, it forces others to initiate any contact that might occur, while simultaneously indicating that contact might not be welcome...and, so, contact is avoided.
Being avoided feels like being shunned, so, its a viscous cycle that can occur.
And that, right there, is the problem that I have with most of the "post a welcome thread!" posts. I find the consistently sanctimonious, patronizing, and condescending attitude to be rather annoying, but since those posts don't apply to me I just disregard them.
I'm a shy person. I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE. Most shy people do. Again, it's my problem to work on, not yours. If you "just want what's best" for me, that's great, but your attitude on this subject is not constructive.
Why would you want to interact with these mean people? More avoidance, more "shunning" and so forth.
BEING AN INTROVERT IS NOT THE SAME THING AS BEING MEAN. Not even close! What a ridiculous, insulting thing to say. I try very hard to be nice to people and not be mean, although posts like this do try my patience. We (introverts) don't always have it in us to interact with people. Our quiet time is
required, it is not an option. There is nothing to be done about it. There is nothing that
needs to be done. Introverts are not broken, we are simply introverts, and it's not for you to decide what is best for us.
Btw, my "quiet time" often consists of sitting at my favorite bar, at a loud (and crowded) live music show, eating chips at salsa, and reading a book right there at the bar. It works for me. I don't care if people give me weird looks, and I don't care if they think I'm being unsociable. I'm having fun; if other people aren't then I'm sorry, but it's NOT my problem!
So, a Welcome Thread is simply a way to say "Hi! I'm so and so and I like puppies and lasers and am not an axe murderer/scammer, and I plan to ask a lot of questions about lasers and learn as much as possible"
If I post a set of laser pictures and you automatically think that I'm an axe murderer and/or scammer, then that is
your problem. Please don't make it mine.
This is in contrast to "Look at my pictures!"
Its just how people seem to prefer to interact.
Again, not my problem. I'll to my best to be polite to people, regardless. In any case, I haven't had any significant issues with anyone here, and I've gotten lots of compliments on my pictures and some of my other ideas. I do good business, and when I agree to send something, or pay for something, I do it promptly, as a responsible person should. Apparently I'm doing something right, and that's good, isn't it?
I get the impression that you're not an introvert, and if that's the case, it's fine. Pushing and prodding me isn't. You come across as pushy and predatory. It doesn't make me want to interact with you, it makes me want to avoid you. The best thing is to just worry about you, and let me worry about me; if I have something to say, I will. Simple as that.
