Do you picture loners as being antisocial, self-absorbed, and in a world of their own? New research from Wellesley College dispels that common stereotype and suggests loners can actually be loyal friends and quite amicable when you get to know them.
What happens is that people tend to misconstrue their reticent ways for snobbiness, rudeness, or lack of social skills.
While some of these people might very well be shy or self-centered not all loners should be characterized as such.
Studies show that loners tend to have a much lower need for social acceptance than their more gregarious counterparts. They're perfectly content staying in with a good book than spending the night out on the town -- and they don't apologize for it.
Loners still like to make friends, but they tend to maintain only a couple of close friendships. If they could have a universal motto, it would be "depth, not breadth."
Thus, they have relatively high standards for friendship, but once they put their trust in you, loners could make the best friends you'll ever have.
You just have to be certain you're okay with a loner's need for space and tranquility. For example, your reserved friend will likely pass on concerts and other events where loud noise and commotion are to be expected.
And it's really no surprise that loners have been found to be among the smartest people out there.
Their penchant for deep concentration and sharp detail skills allow them to immerse themselves completely in whatever subjects strike their fancy. Again, as long as loners can retreat to a quiet room devoid of distractions, they can dream up some pretty amazing things.
It's time we quash the notion that all loners are unlikeable misanthropes. Like everyone else, loners have a lot to offer the world. Some just need to be given a chance.
Have you ever met a loner, or are you one yourself? What was your perception of loners before reading this post, and what is it after having read it?
What happens is that people tend to misconstrue their reticent ways for snobbiness, rudeness, or lack of social skills.
While some of these people might very well be shy or self-centered not all loners should be characterized as such.
Studies show that loners tend to have a much lower need for social acceptance than their more gregarious counterparts. They're perfectly content staying in with a good book than spending the night out on the town -- and they don't apologize for it.
Loners still like to make friends, but they tend to maintain only a couple of close friendships. If they could have a universal motto, it would be "depth, not breadth."
Thus, they have relatively high standards for friendship, but once they put their trust in you, loners could make the best friends you'll ever have.
You just have to be certain you're okay with a loner's need for space and tranquility. For example, your reserved friend will likely pass on concerts and other events where loud noise and commotion are to be expected.
And it's really no surprise that loners have been found to be among the smartest people out there.
Their penchant for deep concentration and sharp detail skills allow them to immerse themselves completely in whatever subjects strike their fancy. Again, as long as loners can retreat to a quiet room devoid of distractions, they can dream up some pretty amazing things.
It's time we quash the notion that all loners are unlikeable misanthropes. Like everyone else, loners have a lot to offer the world. Some just need to be given a chance.
Have you ever met a loner, or are you one yourself? What was your perception of loners before reading this post, and what is it after having read it?
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