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Why do I not want to appear overly concerned about others in daily communication when I just started working?

introverted snack sharing embarrassment office etiquette impression management
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Why do I not want to appear overly concerned about others in daily communication when I just started working? By Anonymous | Published on December 18, 2024

A 97-year-old girl, just starting her job, is extremely introverted. There are some things that puzzle me, such as sharing snacks and fruits with office colleagues, which can both bring us closer and leave a good impression, but I feel embarrassed to do so. I've brought them several times only to return them untouched. It takes courage to distribute them, and I genuinely like these colleagues; elders need to do things like throw away trash and sweep the floor, and I know that volunteering to do these can leave a good impression, but I don't want to show it. I prefer to do it secretly; at the dinner table, I know I should proactively toast the leaders and say something nice to leave a good impression, but I can't do it; I know I should give my mentor gifts in hopes of getting help in the future, but I dislike this and think it's bad to give gifts with a purpose; I know I should give others more shelter when we share an umbrella, help them with their food, and let them queue first to increase my impression points, but even if I want to, I don't let myself do it; there are many things I want to help others with, but I'm too embarrassed to say, and if something is missing in the office, I won't directly say that I have it. Instead, I bring it the next day and put it there secretly, waiting for others to ask. Why is this? It's really strange. Why is it that I don't dare to show these actions that could increase my impression?

Jasper Jasper A total of 1723 people have been helped

Dear questioner,

From what you've said, it seems like you're trying to please others. As an introvert, you don't want to take the initiative to express yourself in some situations. You feel like you should be more practical and do real things, rather than things that please others. There are a few reasons for this:

We're all imperfect, and if we're introverted and don't want to show our true feelings, we may believe that we reject hypocrisy.

It seems a bit hypocritical to do what you should do just to please others. You want to express your resistance to hypocrisy with practical actions.

We all have things we don't want to do or can't do. It's up to us to decide what we're going to do about it. Sometimes we avoid taking the initiative to communicate because we're afraid of what the other person might say. We tell ourselves that we can't do it, that we can't do it. But we understand the reasoning and know that we can do this thing. We can choose not to do it, and we choose to avoid it.

③: [Unable to live one's true self] Not expressing yourself from the heart, feeling like your expression is being defined by others, caring too much about what others think, being sensitive, feeling like you'll be defined by what you do or a certain label – all of these are psychological states that prevent you from expressing yourself.

How can we solve this? My advice is:

1: [Live your life to the fullest and stay true to yourself] If you want to live your life to the fullest, you've got to stay true to yourself. This initial intention has to be guarded with awareness. It doesn't matter what era you're in or what system you're under: only you can take care of your inner self. Don't be afraid of other people's stares or comments. We can't decide what other people think of us, but we can decide our own initial intention. I want to do something, I can do it, but I don't need to be responsible for things that aren't mine, so I won't do them. Hypocrisy and sincerity are opposites. Living the life you want is the most important thing.

It's important to have confidence in yourself and your abilities. When you avoid a situation, you're essentially telling yourself, "I don't believe it, I can't do it." The less confidence you have, the less initiative you'll take to solve the problem. This can lead to fear, whether it's fear of facing the problem, fear of the outcome, or fear of the future. However, regardless of how afraid you are, the result will be a reflection of your mindset. Building confidence is crucial. If you want to make a change, it's essential to expand your horizons and enrich your cultural background. Being well-informed gives you the courage to face challenges head-on. With confidence, you can tackle problems with more courage and find solutions.

③: [Learn to be independent and cultivate your personality] It's important to think for yourself, develop your personality, maintain your mental and personal independence, and not rely on others. You should also learn how to solve any problems that come your way and think about the process and outcome of things. If we can't be consistent in what we do, it means our personality is not yet complete. The more we avoid doing the things we want to do, the less independent we become, and the more we will just continue to avoid things. So we can learn some psychological knowledge, read books on the Yixinli platform, help ourselves improve, and become a more complete person.

I hope this helps the person who asked the question.

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Liam Liam A total of 3750 people have been helped

Hello, question asker!

You're confused because you're introverted and just started working. You don't understand why you're reluctant to express yourself at work. You've done a lot, but you're like a living Lei Feng, doing good deeds anonymously. You could gain more benefits at work and score points with your colleagues and leaders by being more high-profile and expressive, but you've never done so because you're afraid to.

Why are you so introverted and low-key?

1. From these descriptions, it's clear you're a sincere and kind person. You're also low-key, introverted, and not inclined to show off or express concern for others. However, you're rich in inner thoughts and always think a lot.

2. My advice to you is this: no matter where you work in the future, and no matter what colleagues and leaders you meet, just be yourself. You want to make a good impression on your colleagues and leaders, so just be open and generous. Don't be humble or arrogant, just be straightforward. If you want to be nice to your colleagues, be nice to them. If you want to help someone, help someone. No one will refuse to do a small favor. Even when getting along with your leaders, you don't need to ingratiate yourself. A leader who truly appreciates you will see the good things you do, not just the nice things you say. I believe that as long as you do your job well, get along with your colleagues harmoniously, and are confident and optimistic in the company, everyone will see your good qualities. You don't need to do anything to please anyone. There is no confusion. So just be bold and be yourself, and do what you can.

3. When you first start working, it's natural to want to show yourself and your abilities. However, it's important to do so in a way that's genuine and not overly aggressive. Everyone has a different personality. Some people are high-profile and outgoing, while others are low-key and introverted. Focus on doing your job well and let your strengths speak for themselves.

4. As your work experience grows, you will become more mature, stable, and confident. You will meet more colleagues and gain a different perspective on interpersonal relationships. Put your heart and soul into it, and you will reap the rewards.

I hope my answer helps. The world and I love you.

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Charlotte Eve Edwards Charlotte Eve Edwards A total of 6815 people have been helped

Hello. Stop being embarrassed to show your kindness to others. I used to be like that too. I understand your suffering and I am also very susceptible to being wronged.

I will share my experiences and opinions, and I am confident that they will be helpful to you.

1. It's related to one's own experiences and cultural background. Our traditional culture promotes modesty and doing good deeds anonymously. From an early age, we're conditioned to be unassuming and not to seek the limelight. So whenever we want to be kind to others or give a little gift, our conscience gets in the way, telling us it's not good to do so.

You're also worried that others will think badly of you. But you need to stop worrying about that. You need to reflect on what you really want.

2. Value other people's opinions more than your own. When you give something away, you need to stop worrying about what other people will think. You need to let go of your ego and truly accept yourself. You know that you express your love not to get anything in return, and you don't care what other people say about you. At this time, you can naturally do these things.

3. Think about what kind of person you want to become. If you want to stay the same, you'll probably gain the praise of having a gentleman's friendship. Or, you can take the first step bravely, even if it brings you some bad comments. What do you prefer? Just go in the direction you want to pursue.

Come on!

The world and I love you.

Susu, heart exploration coach

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Comments

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Brielle Stone Learning is a way to kindle the spark of creativity.

I totally get what you're saying. It's like there's this invisible barrier that stops me from doing things I know could help build relationships at work. Even though I want to connect with my colleagues, the thought of offering snacks or participating in social rituals feels too overwhelming. Yet, when I do find the courage, it's disheartening when the effort isn't acknowledged.

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Bernadette Parish Learning is the key that unlocks the mysteries of the universe.

It's a tough spot to be in, especially starting out so late in life. Sometimes I feel like I'm on the outside looking in, and these social norms just seem too daunting to break into. But maybe it's not about changing who I am; perhaps there are subtler ways to show kindness and form connections without putting myself in the spotlight.

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Edward Anderson An honest man's word is as good as his bond.

The desire to contribute positively but feeling unable to act on it is frustrating. Like you mentioned, wanting to assist others or share items without drawing attention to oneself can stem from a deepseated shyness. The idea of being seen as someone who's trying too hard or seeking approval can be paralyzing. I think it's important to remember that small gestures can still have an impact, even if they go unnoticed at first.

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Gavin Miller We grow when we learn to look at life from a different perspective.

Starting to feel more comfortable in the workplace takes time, especially for someone who's introverted. It's okay to set your own pace and find methods that align with your personality. Maybe instead of forcing yourself into situations that make you uncomfortable, you can gradually ease into them. Building confidence slowly might help you eventually feel more at ease with sharing and interacting.

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Ivy Reed Learning is a canvas on which we paint our understanding.

Reflecting on why we hesitate to engage in these activities can be eyeopening. For me, it's often about fear of judgment or rejection. But realizing that everyone has their own insecurities can be comforting. Perhaps focusing on genuine interactions rather than worrying about making a good impression can lead to more authentic connections. Over time, those true moments tend to resonate more deeply with people anyway.

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