Shut that window, please (EN)

Outside the sun was shining, it was shining for a week now, which in itself was quite amazing for Brussels, where the average annual sunshine index amounts to four hours daily – 1506 hours per year. In any case, the sun was shining, and we were sitting in a stuffy, and filled room taking part in a training. The room was air-conditioned, but some wise guy said it would be better if we get some air in. There was no objection. The roar of the street, and the hot air practically drained the energy out of us. But no one squeaked a word. Not surprisingly, this was the start of a two day training in assertiveness.

It just so happened, that there where practically only introverts in the room. Just as I did, most of us, assumed that sooner or later someone had to notice that closed windows will be more convenient for all. Finally, the trainer took pity and shut the windows.

I am recalling the situation, because it perfectly captures the way introverts think and act – in that order. None of us said a word, since we were analyzing how will the rest of us feel about closing the windows. Not collectively or as a majority, but merely as individuals. Ha. This is the way we are. Except that in the meantime, almost half of us cooked to death and the other half almost fell asleep.

Hence the blog’s title Do something. This is to mobilize myself to start writing about things important to me and hopefully interesting to others. Mobilization to take matters in my own hands and show other introverts that it's possible without jeopardizing our privacy zone. And finally, to show extraverts how much they can learn from us … if they only allow us to speak.