I attended the American Library Association's Midwinter conference this past weekend in Dallas, and had the pleasure of attending Susan Cain's session about introverts, to tie-in with her recent book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.  Here is an interview by LibraryThing that sums it up well. One big misperception is not all introverts are shy, but I would venture to say all shy people are introverts.  Introverts just recharge differently than extroverts - they need more quiet places and downtime.  The American culture in particular has this growing force that promotes extroversion and implies if you are not there is something wrong with you.  Far from the truth, as Cain outlines in her book. 

Popular introverts include Warren Buffett, Rosa Parks, Albert Einstein.  If it weren't for introverts, a lot of the deep thought and ideas that are necessary to get things done would not be happening. Many introverts are behind movements as well (Ghandi).

So, which do you identify yourself with?  Cain even has a quiz at the end of the article that will let you discover your true self, in case you were wondering.  

As for me, I'm a tried and true introvert, from a long line (though my mom is not, my dad was - and many ancestors on both sides).

photo credit: thepowerofintroverts.com