BBC随身英语｜性格内向有哪些好处？

The benefits of being an introvert

From a young age, many of us learn the benefits of being an extrovert – those gregarious individuals who always seem to be the life and soul of the party, often outspoken and able to express their opinions easily. However, not all of us are wired that way – so is being an extrovert really better?
从很小的时候起，我们中的许多人就知道了外向的好处——那些善于交际的人似乎总是聚会的生命和灵魂，经常直言不讳，能够轻松地表达自己的观点。然而，并不是所有人都是这样的——那么外向的人真的更好吗?

While thinking of extroverts, we imagine a character who is assertive, approachable, cheerful and charming. We are taught to admire these traits early on. Kids are often encouraged to interact, play and communicate with other children. It seems at times as though children are made to embrace a more outgoing lifestyle, with some people becoming pseudo-extroverts – introverts who mimic extrovert behaviour. While externally they may seem to enjoy the company of others, or being in the limelight, they can still become over-extended in intense social situations.
一想到外向的人，我们就会想到一个自信、平易近人、开朗、迷人的人。我们从小就被教导要欣赏这些品质。孩子们经常被鼓励与其他孩子互动、玩耍和交流。有时候，似乎孩子们被要求接受一种更外向的生活方式，有些人变成了伪外向者——内向的人模仿外向的行为。虽然从外表上看，他们似乎喜欢别人的陪伴，或者成为众人瞩目的焦点，但在紧张的社交场合，他们仍然会变得过度紧张。

So, while the positive aspects of being an extrovert are plain to see, what are the benefits of introversion? While extroverts thrive on social interaction, introverts are more comfortable with levels of isolation. According to Dr Berit Brogaard, a professor of philosophy, extreme solitude, such as times like the recent lockdown, does not affect introverts as much as extroverts. Lack of social contact, something extroverts thrive on, can lead to depression, loneliness, and even premature death.
所以，虽然外向的积极方面显而易见，但内向的好处是什么？外向的人在社交互动中获取能量，而内向的人则更享受独自一人的状态。哲学教授贝里特·布罗加德博士表示，极端的孤独（比如最近的封城）对内向者的影响不如外向者大。外向者最喜欢与人接触，而缺乏社交接触会导致抑郁、孤独，甚至过早死亡。

But it's not just in an extreme situation that the pros of being an introvert shine through. These people seem to have more time for contemplation and introspection and thus can become more balanced. They also tend to be good listeners and think before they speak, meaning they could become great friends. Finally, introverts are often fantastic observers, as sitting out of the focus can give you more time to watch the behaviour of others.
但并非只有在极端情况下，内向者的优势才会显现出来。这些人似乎有更多的时间来沉思和自省，因此可以变得更加平衡。他们也是很好的倾听者，说话前会三思，这意味着他们可以成为很好的朋友。最后，内向的人往往是出色的观察者，因为远离焦点可以让你有更多的时间观察别人的行为。

So, whatever your personality, either introvert or extrovert, there are clear advantages to being either, and if you meet an introvert, you might just end up with an amazing friend.
所以，无论你的性格是内向还是外向，都有明显的优势，如果你遇到一个内向的人，你可能会交到一个很棒的朋友。

词汇表
gregarious 爱交际的
life and soul of the party 社交场合的灵魂人物
outspoken 坦率的，直率的
assertive 坚定自信的
approachable 平易近人的
cheerful 乐观开朗的
charming 迷人的
trait （性格）特点
encourage 鼓励
interact 互动，相互交流
outgoing 开朗外向的
pseudo 假冒的，伪的
mimic 模仿
over-extended 吃不消，压力过大
thrive on 靠…获取能量
solitude 孤独
contemplation 沉思
introspection 反思

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