Social battery
Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
I came across this expression recently. For all I know, it’s been in use for aeons, but it meant nothing to me, so I looked it up.
Briefly, it’s a metaphor which refers to the amount of energy a person has for socialising; to put it another way, it indicates a person’s ability to socialise before exhaustion sets in. It’s a lazy metaphor, much like ‘24/7’ because it obviates the need for careful thought and clear expression. It’s a kind of shorthand to explain a person’s reactions to different social situations.
Much as might be expected, one’s social battery can be charged or drained, according to personality and circumstance.
Extroverts may find that socialising charges their emotional battery, while introverts may experience the opposite and feel the need to retire to a quiet room to pursue their own, often solitary, interests. However, categorising people as either extrovert or introvert is far too simplistic. I suspect that most people show signs of both extremes in their personalities, reacting in different ways to a range of experiences and mixes of people.
Mood ring
Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Mood rings became popular in the 1970s, but were not a true indicator of emotional mood, as they responded to changes in temperature rather than mood. They are still available along with a range of other wearable mood gauges. I think the best indicator of disposition is a person’s face, the eyes in particular.
My own capacity for social interaction is very low. I prefer to be alone, I'm not sure if that is inbuilt or because my mother was the sort who got right up close to the face when talking and asking questions and there was no getting away until she had the answer that satisfied her. A simple "yes", "no", or "I don't know" was never enough. She needed details.
ReplyDeleteMy parents were not very social animals - friendly, accommodating, but self-sufficient, and I suppose I'm like that, too. Crowds are wearing.
DeleteI am with River here. I am not a social butterfly. As a young child I was frequently the object of my mother's ridicule, having to listen to her regaling others with tales of my seemingly hilarious mistakes. I learned to shrink away from group contact in fear of being embarrassed.
ReplyDeleteThat must have been so painful and a blight on your young life.
DeleteI'm a stay at home too, my hobbies are all things I can do in peace and solitude, hubby was very sociable, but these days he's happiest at home.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is quite gregarious by nature, but self-sufficient. I'm more of a loner.
DeleteI too am not an extrovert. But I wouldn't classify myself as an introvert either. Somewhere in between, I guess. My social abilities are very limited. Though I like to talk to people, but I get drained off before long.
ReplyDeleteI like to socialise for a short while, but then need time alone, like you, I suppose.
DeleteI confess, I am the introvert here. My socializing is with the nicest cashier at the grocery and the nicest librarian. Otherwise, it is with Precious and my husband. He travels with pals and he is the semi-extrovert as he is always grateful to get home. I remember my mood ring when I was a teenager. Since my hands have be perpetually cold, I'm not sure what that color meant back then, lol.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is much more outgoing than me, but I don't find it easy to socialise with more than one person at a time.
DeleteThe mood ring idea sounds very cool. I vaguely remember my primary school classmates do wear them at a time
ReplyDeleteThey were very popular at one time, though I never had one.
DeleteMore and more I find myself struggling with ' socialising for the sake of it '. At least we know where we are with our own company 😀
ReplyDeleteI remember Mood rings, isn't it strange how that sort of thing becomes so ' on trend ' and desirable to young folk growing up.
Alison in Wales x
I can't see the point of socialising for the sake of it, but then my job didn't depend on 'networking' fortunately.
DeleteRecently I've interacted with gregarious people who surprised me by saying they identify as introverts. After being around people they have to retreat to their own area.
ReplyDeleteIt's surprising how people think of themselves - outgoing people saying they're basically shy, and so on.
DeleteI'm a mix. I like to socialize, but I also enjoy some alone time. Usually, my battery depends on the people I'm with. Some people are energizing, som are draining. And I'm sure some days I am an energizer and some days I drain people. So, I agree with you. It's much more complicated than just introvert and extrovert.
ReplyDeleteSocialising with people of like mind is not tiring at all. Working hard to socialise is not fun at all.
DeleteI've never heard that expression before. I wonder if the younger members of the family will be impressed if I start using it.
ReplyDeleteTry it and see ;-) I have regular updates on the latest 'buzz talk' with the 'middle' grandchildren - the late teens and early 20s.
DeleteI'd never come across that expression before either. As an introvert I'm guessing that my "social battery" is generally rather low ... xxx
ReplyDeleteMy social battery is completely depleted at present, for several reasons (several people!)
DeleteYo tengo uno de esos anillos y si lo mejor para conocer a alguien es verlo los ojos. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteNot come across the term 'Social battery'
ReplyDeleteI know at times I can get 'peopled out' and just enjoy a little time by myself!
Wishing you a good weekend, it will be the last one in June!
All the best Jan
It's a shock to realise that we're half-way through the year already.
DeleteThat's very interesting, I have never heard the term before. I remember having a mood ring years ago before marriage. And I agree about the eyes. My father the policeman always told me you could tell a lot about a person by looking at the eyes, facial expressions of course are a dead giveaway, lol! I love that mad little man.
ReplyDeleteI think the police must become very skilled at reading people's faces and body language. It's hard to hide your feelings.
ReplyDeleteYikes. I think my social battery drains really quickly lol. I find it really stressful and tiring to be around people. I'd much rather hide in the corner or daydream lol
ReplyDeleteI'm a people-watcher and would prefer to be a fly on the wall.
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