9 types of people introverts prefer to avoid, according to psychology

Introverts value one-on-one interactions over group activities and meaningful conversations over small talk.

While they can be friendly and outgoing, there are certain people they prefer to stay away from.

Not necessarily because they dislike them, but because they want to preserve their energy.

Here are 9 types of people introverts prefer to avoid, according to psychology.

Don’t take it personally if you made the list.

1) The over-sharer

Individuals who divulge too much information too quickly scare introverts away.

As an introvert myself, I can confirm that we prefer to listen rather than talk, at least when we first meet you.

It’s a great skill, but it also makes some people tell us things we don’t want to hear.

I’ve had others share secrets after knowing me for only an hour or two, solely because I asked pertinent questions.

Every time that happened, I felt like I’d learned something I shouldn’t have, so I was reluctant to interact with that person again.

You don’t want to live inside my brain; it’s a battlefield.

Ironically, psychologists point out that introverts are also prone to oversharing, but only because we can’t stand small talk.

That brings me to my next point.

2) The chatty neighbor

Small talk to an introvert is like nails on a chalkboard.

It tickles our brains the wrong way.

According to psychology, this happens because small talk creates a barrier between people. It may be polite, but it doesn’t allow you to learn much about the other person.

And introverts are all about diving into what makes someone else tick.

As a result, chatty neighbors are high on our list of people to avoid.

When a neighbor stops us in front of our building to talk about the weather, sports, or neighborhood events, all we can think about is how to swiftly escape the conversation, preferably without hurting the neighbor’s feelings.

Personally, I even check to make sure no one is outside my door when I step out with the trash. If there is, I patiently wait for them to move along before I exit my apartment.

I can guarantee I’m not the only introvert who does this.

3) The loud talker

As psychologists remark, introverts are sensitive to noisy environments, which can disrupt their focus.

It’s no wonder they find people who speak loudly or have a boisterous demeanor jarring.

A quieter, more measured conversation is generally preferred, allowing for thoughtful exchange without sensory overload.

You can be the nicest person on the planet.

If you raise your voice or gesticulate wildly, you’ll scare introverts away.

4) The social media addict

I was friends once with this girl a little too obsessed with her Instagram presence.

She wasn’t an influencer per se, but she spent a lot of time sharing posts and consuming content on the platform.

While my screen time is downright embarrassing, I prefer not to touch my phone when I’m out and about.

That’s time I’m willing to devote to whomever I’m meeting, so my phone stays in my bag and my undivided attention is on my entourage.

She didn’t share this philosophy.

Whenever we went out, she would spend about 60% of the time on her phone, showing me memes or taking selfies and asking me which filters made her look best.

It got old quickly.

Introverts socialize less than extroverts. Yet, when we do, we want to truly engage with you, not resort to superficial conversation.

If someone is constantly distracted, we can’t do that.

Plus, most introverts value authenticity.

They may find it difficult to trust someone so used to advertising a heavily curated version of themselves.

5) The attention seeker

Contrary to popular belief, introverts have no issues befriending extroverts.

I’ve had plenty of extroverted friends during my life.

I also tend to pick extroverted boyfriends, because at least that way I’m forced to occasionally leave the house.

(I know that socializing has benefits, but I need some sort of push to reap them.)

Even so, we prefer to keep away from people who constantly seek attention.

They can be exhausting for several reasons:

• They require a lot of validation and engagement, something we’re not always in the right mindset to provide
• They bask in the spotlight, while introverts feel uneasy being the center of attention
• Some of them engage in behaviors that are more about gaining approval and less about genuine connection

Moreover, attention seekers are known to dominate conversations and social interactions.

Introverts prioritize relationships that involve a balance of give-and-take.

We gravitate toward those willing to establish a more substantial bond.

6) The drama queen/king

Like attention seekers, people who thrive on drama aren’t particularly appealing to introverts.

Drama means intense and unnecessary conflicts, on top of heightened emotions and endless conversations about what’s going on.

Introverts have a limited capacity for social interaction, according to psychology, so they avoid such energy-draining scenarios.

Not only that but people who feed on drama tend to create chaos and unpredictability.

They disrupt the peaceful environment that introverts cherish.

Oh, and drama-prone individuals relish in conflict.

If there’s one thing introverts loathe more than small talk, that’s conflict.

It makes our anxiety go through the roof.

Something to keep in mind.

7) The clingy companion

According to psychology, introverts need alone time to recharge.

Sometimes, lots of it.

A natural consequence is that they don’t typically befriend people who are too clingy to protect themselves.

It might sound harsh, but clingy folks make us feel smothered. We value our independence, so we avoid those who disregard our boundaries.

Clingy people can be socially exhausting because they require frequent interaction and reassurance, which deplete an introvert’s energy reserves.

Furthermore, introverts like to interact on their own terms and often take time to respond to messages or invitations.

Those who are clingy crave constant communication, showering us with unnecessary stress.

That pressure to be always “on” – we hate it.

We’d much rather run into the woods and never look back.

8) The intrusive busybody

An intrusive busybody is someone who meddles in the affairs of others, prying into personal matters without being invited.

They offer unsolicited advice, ask probing questions, and involve themselves in situations where their input is neither needed nor wanted.

You can see why introverts find them unappealing:

• They violate our need for privacy, making us feel exposed
• Unwelcome probing prevents the development of deeper connections that introverts value
• We like to share personal information at our own pace, only with people we already trust
• We find unsolicited advice disrespectful and interpret it as overstepping
• They keep un on alert and vigilant to assert boundaries, which is more draining than your usual social interaction

Forcing an introvert to reveal their true self won’t get you anywhere, according to psychology.

You need to wait for them to feel comfortable enough around you to open up.

9) The nosy coworker

At my last job before freelancing full-time, I had a colleague who needed to know everyone’s business.

He would ask inappropriate questions, eavesdrop in conversations, and insist on being included in all activities.

He would also keep track of my comings and goings and comment on my work patterns.

Why did I take a long lunch?

Why was I late on that particular day?

Did I finish that challenging task I had on my to-do list?

And the habit I found most annoying: he would peek at my laptop screen out of the blue.

He wasn’t my manager. In fact, he worked in a completely different department.

Being in an office environment for nine hours per day already affected my social battery.

Over time, his relentless chit-chat and snoopiness became more stressful to me than staying on top of my duties.

Introverts love their space and privacy.

When at work, their focus should be on getting their jobs done, not on dodging prying eyes.

Don’t be surprised if they keep their distance.

Bottom line

If you want to connect with an introvert, you must respect their boundaries.

Keep in mind that they need time to recharge, they don’t naturally navigate toward big crowds, and they might ghost you for hours on end if their social battery is depleted.

Once you get past those limitations, however, you’ll discover a deep soul with plenty to offer.

And you’ll likely make a friend for life.