soundfades

“Every “quiet person” knows that there are people out there that think this is a defect. If you’re not talking very much at a party or gathering, something is obviously wrong with you. You must be mad, or a little slow, or intimidated by present company. Not talking much couldn’t possibly be one of the many diverse personality traits people can have.

And there’s no question that one silent person in a group of talkative people can make the situation a bit awkward. So some people’s solution is to try to “include” them by making a joke about how quiet they are, which is probably the worst thing you could do to make them feel less awkward.”