Put a percentage on why you don't talk much

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I'd prolly say:

30% because im shy
70% because im simply not able to talk alot.

Most of the time when I don't say anything because I simply cant think of anything to say and my mind is blank. Then there's sometimes where I have something to say but too damn shy to say it.

If you're a talkative person then this doesn't apply to you

i dont speak much unless i know you or in a group more than seven.

5% sad
15% nervous
30% paranoid
50% rejected

10% due to not having anything to say
90% due to not being able to talk to people I don't know, other than pure mechanical interaction, and even that requires too much of an effort most times

Personally and subjectively, I'd put the former at 100% as I don't want to talk to people in person (I'm somewhat aloof to social interaction). The latter is there at 90% as I don't have a choice even if I wanted to talk to people.

50% have nothing to say because I have no interest in the conversation going on and 50% because I know from past experience that few people are interested in the things I do want to talk about and will either ignore me or make fun of me.

I don't actually think "shy" is a very good description of WHY people behave a certain way...it is the description OF acting a certain way....

When you say "shy" what does that mean to you in the way of thoughts or feelings your having ?

45% introductory small talk conversation trails off because I can't think of what to say quickly enough for the other person. They assume I've lost interest or something and walk off.

45% I know that 90% of the time the previous situation will occur after a few exchanges and therefore decide that initiation is not worth the mental effort given my current mood.

10% Initiation not worth the effort with specific people because I know from past experience that they aren't very interesting to talk to.

45% Not wanting to speak
30% Feeling like no-one will listen to what I have to say
25% Being constantly interrupted when I am trying to say something

• Everyone around me is already talking anyway.
• Tired of repeating the same instructions over and over. ("Move your cup away from the edge of the table. This is a recording.")
• Have spent the last sixty seconds trying to complete a single sentence, and have been interrupted five times while doing so.
• Can't you see I'm busy reading???

15% I just don't feel like it.
30% Because I am shy.
20% I feel it will fall on deaf ears.
20% I feel it will be misunderstood or not appreciated.
15% I am/will be interrupted.

I talk a lot when I'm around people I know well, or am in a conversation that really interests me. Other than that I'm pretty quiet.

When I don't talk, it probably breaks down like this:
40% Can't get anyone to listen (I try to talk and people start talking over me)
35% Afraid of rejection
20% Nothing to say
5% Can't find the right words

The first two might be reversed though, depending on the situation.

I talk a lot often too much for the same reasons people here have said nerves, wanting to fit i, not knowing when is a good time to talk etc.

40% I have nothing to say
30% I have trouble putting my thoughts into words to say/inarticulate speech
20% I like not talking
10% I'm too shy

70% my brain simply goes to "white screen" when face to face with a person
30% I do manage to think of something to say but am sure it will sound stupid/ be misunderstood

90% I think words have no useful place.
10% I don't think I could translate my thoughts.

This doesn't apply to me.
I talk almost constantly in some form or other.... though usually to myself.