I'm naturally more introverted and spend a lot of time not saying much of anything around people. My mind isn't blank, I'm generally in a state of chronic deep thought or I am actually listening to what the other person has to say, which is shocking lol. I actually listen to people and will later recite something they mentioned to me.
For example, a while ago there was a girl at my gym that I had spoken to a few times. Anyway, during one conversation she mentioned her birthday was coming up and all that. I later asked her how it went and she reacted in a startled manner by asking me how I knew it was her birthday. I simply said "because you told me" lol. People are so unused to those who actually listen it makes them uncomfortable lol.
From my experience, people that are uncomfortable around those who are quiet are often insecure. The silence makes them feel uncomfortable, though I'm not particularly sure why. I think to some they feel as if you are judging them or if you aren't really all that interested in what they have to say. I personally feel that some people are so uncomfortable with themselves, their own thoughts, etc. that they cannot be in a position where self reflection may occur....so their response is to babble on and on about random stuff.
Interesting. I have a few theories on this...
1. Extroverts are lonely AF lol. They can’t go too long without human interaction. Even in my worst incel days, I was never “lonely” as an introvert. My own brain provides plenty of entertainment.
2. Because it’s typically women that utilize the “silent treatment,” women are most likely to assume the worst and think you are pissed off because you are quiet.
But yes, like you, I prefer to listen, analyze and take in what others are saying.
All that aside, I am also a very empathic person. I get that silence can make a lot of people uncomfortable. That’s never my intention. So lately, I’ve been trying to fill in silence with some random fluff talk because I accept that most people won’t be as comfortable with silence as I.
I think that’s the point here. Sure, I’m all for just “owning” who you are. But I don’t want to unnecessarily make people uncomfortable.
IME, fluff talk (ie small talk) is NOT used because pop culture theory tells us that people like to talk about themselves. It’s because, all else being equal, most people feel more comfortable and bond better with some small talk.
TLDR: Be yourself, even if you are quiet. But at least try to throw in some small talk during the gaps in conversation so you don’t unnecessarily make others uncomfortable.