I think it's more than safe to assume that most people on this board, being fellow introverts, need some time by themselves to recharge after a certain amount of social interaction.

That being said, I was wondering how much social 'mingling' you guys can take before feeling that urge to get away and have some alone time?

How 'intense' of a social interaction one can stand is also a valid consideration. I know this term sounds pretty loose but basically intensity refers to the amount of effort/energy and level of communication skills required in the interaction. For example, some introverts may only be comfortable having a long chat with a few people they already know while others can hold their own even in a heated public cross-examination in court/debate.

--> So I guess the question becomes how intense and how much social interaction can you handle before needing to regroup? Additionally, is there anything in particular that you have done that has effectively helped increase your endurance?

I'm naturally curious so thanks for bearing with my questions and to all those who reply!

I can manage public and stressy situations but I get completely exhausted afterwards. After school I always needed to be alone with a videogame. When I dropped out of school and spent weeks playing games it felt like heaven. I like the fact I don't have to endure any social situation today, even if I can manage it for a few hours.

The most "social interaction" (if that's what you can call it lol) that I can stand is asking a librarian if the ting I have on hold is in, or telling the cashier that I want cash back with my debit card, or calling a cab after the grocery store & talking to the person who answers. Even those things are very, very, very hard for me, but they're about all I can deal with. Any "real" social interaction, I can't handle at all. The second a person starts talking to me, my mind starts to panic & I feel like running away to flee the situation.

About the same as Soleiyu.. I am always exhausted after any extended social function, like parties(which I very rarely do, and its usually just family parties that I am obligated to attend). I still struggle with multiple people though, and I still lack the skill of approaching people and engaging them. Sometimes, I get really shy/anxious about doing this. But if I can become engaged in a conversation I like, I generally do pretty well and make a decent impression. Its just that initial "shyness" I have to get over.

This is how I am, too. I can barely do simple things like with cashiers, often I'm so nervous that I make mistakes, because I want to get out as fast as possible. I don't even like to be out in public in the first place. I tend to avoid stores if they look busy, and I can't be in the same aisle as someone else. I hate when people try to make small talk, or pleasantries, because I don't know what to say, it's like I forget everything and don't even know English.

Whenever I have to deal with multiple difficult social interactions in one day, all I want to do is stay inside way from everyone for a week....

Thanks for all the detailed replies! Is there anything in particular you guys do that helps increase your social endurance? Ironically for me it was being essentially forced into competitive debate and public speaking. They say that if you do something long enough, you can build up a tolerance or even grow to like it regardless of whether or not you were uncomfortable with it in the first place. Ever since then, all other social interactions seemed much more bearable since most casual conversations do not involve people trying to criticize/ridicule you to forward their own position. Besides, it's not like introverts don't have useful tools for social interactions. Having a cool and analytical mind (which most introverts are credited with) can give quite an edge especially where persuasive speaking is concerned.

Most recently an acquaintance of mine recommended a meme video called 'courage wolf' (you can find it on Youtube). I had my doubts but I found it quite enjoyable.

Memorable quotes:
"Climb the highest mountain... punch the face of God"
"Awesome... is a synonym for YOU"
"Piss lightning and shit success"
"First out of over 100 million sperm... you were BORN a winner"
"Those that look down on you... do not deserve to live"

Thanks Courage Wolf, I'm going to try and track down some contacts and prepare for another round of recruitment... and single-handedly storm a terrorist stronghold and take down a drug cartel too.

Keep on fighting brave introverts, I salute you!

Anger made me able to speak in public. When I think about things and people I hate, I become much stronger and gain a superior and arrogant air. What's more, people seem to be really emotionally affected by me, either angered, sad, scared or in admiration, when I'm angry and express myself freely.

This could be me when I'm hiding behind a cold rage:

I find that I can handle about three hours of social interaction before I begin to get really antsy. When I went to Japan a year ago, I went with a teenager I teach anime-style Japanese to once a week and I found being with someone all day long absolutely oppressive. Walking through a lovely park filled with thousand year old temples and shrines in Nara in the copany of a teenager whose speech consisted entirely of statements like, "That is one big fuckin'-ass statue of Buddha. Fuck, look at that fucker. It's fuckin' enormous. Fuck!", was hell on earth.

I'm able to be out in public for things like work and that for eight-hour periods but I find it emotionally enerevating and so I'm very happy that I don't work full-time.

George explains it pretty well.

I do better in small crowds. Large groups tire me out and wipe the energy right out of my soul. I tend to wander off after a while and walk around by myself. If that's not an option, I just go to the bathroom and dawdle around in there for a bit. If I'm lucky, I'll have a book to preoccupy me or a close friend to talk to.

During my backpacking trip, I was actually concerned I'd get drained seeing as I was stuck with my partner 24 hours a day. Fortunately, we both discovered we hate useless conversation and tend to spend long hours reading or staring out at the wide landscape. We got along well and I miss her dearly now.

Saigyo, sorry to hear you got stuck with a teenager. I hate kids. Babies and toddlers I can mostly handle. It's just once they learn to talk back or hit puberty, they get super irritating. They grow so fast and yet lack any substance in their empty minds. (The irony in my statement is that I am still technically in the "teen" category).

I can handle debates and public speaking. Intellectual and stimulating conversations is no drain on me nor does the size of the group particularly matter. The only taxing social situations are the party or social gathering kinds that involves light banter and loads of inside jokes I care not to understand.

Don't get me wrong, I can be social in any situation. It's just some of more exhausting and takes more effort than others. I hate the party kinds cause I feel slightly empty and lonely for some strange reason. And I just feel like getting away or clinging to someone I trust.