So you must be wondering how to know when an introvert ignores you. Well, Introverts naturally value personal space above all else. They simply like to be by themselves. They are sort of conservative in the sense of expressing emotions. Thus making it tough for others to understand whether an introvert is avoiding you or not.
The most common way to tell if an introvert is ignoring is if they suddenly start acting in a passive-aggressive way. Meaning, for instance, silent treatment, one-word answer, coming up with excuses to refrain from spending time with you, and so on.
A little thing to keep in mind is that all introverts are not the same. So, all the signs we are going to talk about in this article may not be applicable for everyone. Read the full article to get a better idea on how to tell if an introvert is ignoring you.
Who Is An Introvert?
Introverts are often described as reserved, more shy and conservative people. In reality, there are various traits that make a person an introvert. Introverts keep their thoughts and opinions to themselves and might find it difficult to express them openly.
While there are many advantages to being an introvert, there are plenty of downsides too. Especially in social situations and interactions. Introverts aren’t great at parties and making new friends as fast as extroverts.
However, on the bright side, introverts get more time to develop themselves. It actually depends on the type of introvert they are. Let’s take a look at the kinds of introverts.
Kinds of Introverts
According to psychologists, there are three major kinds of introverts and introverted traits. Social introverts, anxious, and musing. Some introverts just have one introversion whereas others are mixtures of all three of them.
- Social introversion: The social introverts don’t socialize with everyone but only with a specific amount or type of people. Sometimes people think they are shy and thus find it hard to socialize. However, that is a myth. Social introverts are not necessarily shy rather they prefer to not socialize too much.
- Anxious Introversion: This type of introvert struggles to interact with people on a daily basis. They find it hard to even approach them and think up what other people might say to them based on their previous interaction. The anxious introversion types have low self-esteem. They require therapy to build up courage and confidence.
- Musing Introversion: This type focuses more on the intellectual side. Musing introverts are those who always stay in deep thought. They like to think about things critically and keep their thoughts to themselves most of the time. They simply are more interested in thinking or musing.
Subtle Signs An Introvert is Ignoring You
Introverts can find it hard to express their thoughts openly. So, it is a bit tricky to know when an introvert is ignoring you. By thorough research and digging, we compiled some subtle signs of an introvert ignoring you below.
- Giving one-word answers: This is the most common way introverts avoid people. Even extroverts use this method. If you are constantly ticking off an introvert, they might give very short replies making the conversation go one way.
If the introvert keeps giving answers like “sure”, “no”, “ok” etc monochromic way, this is a sign they are trying to end avoid you wishing to end the conversation.
- Acting Happy and fine: Another strategy the introverts use to avoid you is acting happy and fine. The introvert would want nothing to do with you. Instead of confronting you, they usually find it less energy-draining and easier to just act as if everything is okay.
They find it more convenient to act happy and fine thinking you might leave them alone eventually. In this way, they can avoid speaking to you and confronting you.
- Refusing to accept help: Another big sign is the introvert refuses to get your help even in tight situations. For instance, let’s say the introvert slips and falls on a field. They get a small cut but it’s clearly bleeding. You offer to help them but they just refuse and brush it off.
The introvert keeps refusing to accept small favors or help from you in order to reduce interaction with you.
- Silent treatment: They don’t answer your phone calls. The introvert would prefer texting over phone calls as it helps to avoid listening to you talk and interacting more with you. Unlike extroverts, introverts don’t want to deal with someone who ticked them at all. If you stress them out, they will avoid you as much as possible by simply what’s known as ghosting you.
- Actively ignoring: They cancel hangouts, meetings with you on it by simply using excuses like “I’ve so much work piled up to do” or “there are other guests coming over to my house today”. They will come to the workplace or at school more late than usual just to avoid interacting with you. And after work, go home straight or just say they have way too much homework or work left.
- Become indifferent to you: This means you have surely pissed the introvert off. They will become uninterested in whatever you say, not paying attention. The introvert might suddenly stop showing interest in things or activities they like and enjoy. They just have a “whatever” attitude to everything you say and want to do. They will start to be apathetic towards you while being empathetic towards others.
- Sudden outbursts: Introverts usually are very good at hiding their emotions and feelings. They can stay calm on the outside but rage on the inside. They put off a facade pretty well but even introverts have a limit. They keep bottling up anger gradually and then suddenly blow up.
The blow-ups can be very out of the place. It can be over little things like being late to a meeting etc.
- Giving your pets more attention: Animals and Introverts go well along like they are two peas in a pod. You might see the introvert happily playing with your pets but when it comes to you, they seem uninterested and they don’t pay attention.
What Should You Do If An Introvert Is Ignoring You?
So, you are sure that an introvert is ignoring you. What now?
Well, the best thing you can do is be more considerate. Know that it is in the introverted nature to have personal space and not talk about many things. They tend to hide their emotions too. A major thing that ticks introverts off is labeling.
Don’t label the person as “anti-social” etc as it may hurt their feelings. Another thing to keep in mind is to not be forceful. An introvert may most likely want to avoid going to big parties etc and if you keep being persistent then it may tick them off.
In a nutshell, try to be more understanding and give the introvert some space. Let him or her come to you at their own time. If they don’t then just let them be.
Conclusion
Hopefully, by reading this article, you’ve come to know when an introvert ignores you. Not all introverts are the same and at the end of the day, they are just people too.
So, if you feel like an introvert is ignoring you, the best approach would be to reduce interacting with them for a while and when they calm down just have a discussion and things will get better between you and the introvert.
