A grand aunt of ours was Ms Malaprop. An uncle of mine would report her latest malapropism and would sometimes invent his own stories and ‘blame’ it on her. Here’s one that I’m not sure was hers or his, but it’s the first thing I thought of on this topic. A Malaprop was upset with her daughter for not getting up to dance at a party and was heard saying: “Now, Judy go and dance. Don’t stand at the back like a cauliflower!”
So, if you were to ask me if I’m the life of the party, I’d say, I’m definitely a cauliflower! I prefer to hang on the side-lines and and chat with a small group.
It’s not that I have a problem being the centre of attraction. No, I’ve done my sharing of training and talking to large audiences of various kinds. But at a party, I’m certainly nowhere near the action.
I recently discovered that I’m a closet introvert! What’s that you ask? An introvert pretending to an extrovert! The funny thing is, when I told my husband that, he said, “I know you’re not an extrovert.” And I thought I was self-aware!
What I love doing at parties, the few I go to anyway, is people-watching. After I’ve started blogging, that becomes good fodder for writing!
Are you the life of the party or do you like to sit back and be entertained? Share a party story!
I’m taking part in BlogFEST 2012 – the biggest blog party in October! Today’s host is the lovely, Jenn Duffy-Pearson of Wine n Chat. Read her post here.
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Closet Introvert eh…….time to get you a new wardrobe then……:P
That I agree! 😉
I have a funny feeling that green would look good on ya! 😀
My cauliflower ears? 😉
Well, I am a closet introvert too!! People watching is my fav activity when in a large group.
Earlier, when I was just an introvert and not a CI 😉 , people would have assumptions that being quiet and not the chatterbox types meant that I was not enjoying the party! 😐
Shilpa Garg recently posted..The Krishna Key : Ashwin Sanghi
Nice to know that, Shilpa. If you’re not drinking or dancing people people think you’re not having fun, anyway. So let them continue to feel sorry for us. 😉
Sometimes people watching *is* the party! 🙂
Oh yes, I absolutely agree!
Loved your post – always thought it was a wallflower. Now I know a party people watcher as a cauliflower. LOL
Great story. Oh yes, I am also out of the closet now :-)!
Stuart
She knew it was a flower of some sort – wall – caul – close enough for my aunt! I realize you’re out of the closet! Good for you. 🙂
I dont think i am an introvert.I like to enter a party a bit late.I want to be noticed.
I am at my loudest.I always hold my glass untill end of the party but never get drunk or even high.
b k chowla recently posted..72
I guess we’re just the opposite then, Mr Chowla. I try to unobtrusive and don’t really want to be the centre of attraction.
Introvert I guess, but yes, after a while I get into the mood too. 🙂
But yes, my parents were the first ones on the dance floor and total extroverts, and I guess my younger sister has taken up after them. 🙂
Harleena Singh recently posted..How to Avoid Misunderstanding Others
Would like to see you getting into the mood, Harleena. I am great with a small group. Large parties are not my scene. And seriously, all our training in social skills, via the Army is a great help when it comes to pretending to like a party! 😉
I am definitely the introvert and the shy person around. I would not even go to a party where I don’t know anyone :). But, with friends I am a very different person!
Rachna recently posted..The Perfect Blogger!
You sound just like me, Rachna. I’m great with smaller groups (or so I think!).
Corinne– Thanks so much for participating on the first day of BlogFEST 2012!!
Second a closet introvert? I need to think about that. Here I thought I’ve “morphed” over the years from the life of the party to the one being entertained–doing as you do– just talking to a few people on the side lines. Hmmmm…I’m wondering if I’m not a closet introvert to some extent?
Great post 🙂 Cheers, Jenn
Jenn recently posted..Kicking off BlogFEST 2012!! Party Time!!
Jenn – it’s absolutely my pleasure. Thanks for hosting this. It’s already so much fun. Perhaps you are a closet introvert too. I realized this about myself only when I read a post about introversion and kept ticking off things that fitted me!
Been there done that…Corinne :)) I just love the way you weave your story around the topic and make it look like a completely awesome post.
Sulekha recently posted..Costume Party
Ah, thanks, Sulekha! You’re always good for my ego. 🙂 I’m so glad you’re taking part in the BlogFest. I’m looking forward to seeing that picture of yours. Although something tells me I’ve seen it already!
I definitely avoid any social gathering, but if I’m forced into that situation it solely depends on my mood. If I’m upbeat, then I can be the life of the party…if I’m solemn, then I tend to hang back and stay to myself.
Mary Hudak-Colllins recently posted..‘Made From Scratch’ Monday – Week 31
I found myself getting increasingly reclusive, Mary and decided to get out more often. I do enjoy meeting friends in small groups, but large gathering are avoidable! I would love to be with you at a party, someday! 🙂
This I did not know, cauliflower 🙂
Wallflowers morph into cauliflowers, Claudia! 😉
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..The Life Of The Party?
Hmmm…closet introvert. Maybe that’s me! I don’t know…I think I like staying in the closet most of the time and just peak out at the world from time to time. Great post! Thanks for sharing!
Susan recently posted..The Life of the Party
Seems like we’ll have to get a big closet with you and Jenn joining the ‘gang’! Thanks for stopping by, Susan. And good luck with tomorrow’s hosting!
I could people watch 24/7 – I love seeing how people interact!
Paula Martin recently posted..Six Sentence Sunday
Me too, Paula. I wish I was paid to do something like that! 😉
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..The Life Of The Party?
I could so identify with you here, Corinne! Years ago, I would have said I was an extrovert; not any more! Like you, I prefer to chat one on one or with small groups at gatherings and just observe the action around me. So, here’s another introvert who’s come out of the closet! 🙂
Great post!
Martha Orlando recently posted.."You Will Keep the Fires Burning . . ."
Are our numbers growing, Martha. Or is it just me attracting like-minded folks to myself? 🙂
People watching is so much fun!! Wonderful blog about the sidelines. 😀
Kathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com
Kathy recently posted..I’m Here for the Party!!!
It sure is fun, Kathy. But you seem to have a much more entertaining time in the middle of it all! 😉
Hi, Corinne! ~
People are often surprised to learn that I am also an introvert so I know exactly what you mean! Being an introvert doesn’t mean I’m ‘shy’ or don’t like people. It means I need solitude to recharge, whereas an extrovert recharges on the energy of groups.
I would not say I’m usually the life of the party, but sometimes I am. However, friends and acquaintances often comment that they can hear me laughing all the way in the other room and that adds life to the party 😉
Dangerous Linda recently posted..The Shrewd Shrew
That’s a great way of defining the difference between an introvert and an extrovert, Linda. It’s so true – I need to process experiences on my own to understand what they mean to me. Someday, I’m going to hear you laugh at that Blogplicity party we’re going to have. What a party that will be! 🙂
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..The Life Of The Party?
people watching IS fabulous for writing prompts – great post.
Oh yes, it is. It’s my number source of ‘inspiration’, Sylvie!
I love people and talking and learning their stories. But I’m much more comfortable doing so in smaller group settings. When I get into larger groups I tend to clam up and seek out the weirdos sitting in the corner for conversation.
femmefrugality recently posted..DIY Halloween Costumes
Seeking out the weirdos? You might find me among them then! 😉
Lov it….closet introvert! LOL
I do enjoy people watching, but I go both ways at parties. Totally depends on who else is partying and how!
Jo recently posted..LIFE OF THE PARTY
Going both ways, now that’s certainly interesting, Jo! 😉 But you are always so interesting. I’d love to meet you in person some day! ♥
Yes, you are right, we must meet, there is too much in common 🙂
Bindu recently posted..Oktoberfest 😉
Someday, someday. 🙂
I can be the life of the party… regale people with funny jokes, do tequila shots and then dance, but I give no part of me to other people! For that, I am an introvert….I am happy with myself and I don’t need others to derive energy from! Make sense?
Roshni recently posted..Guest-posting at Melissa’s
Makes absolute sense, Roshni. Now I’m waiting to see the post tequila shots dancing pictures! 😉
I defy labels! I am an extrovert but still don’t talk much in parties until I am really interested. Parties bore me to no end and I always think of escaping. Maybe I am a closet extrovert.
Does my comment make sense?
Joy always,
Susan
Haha…I should have guessed! You’re comment makes absolute sense and you know why. 😉
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..What Keeps Me Awake At Night
I am both a cauliflower and a closet introvert! We are of the same kind Corinne.
You think so? I would never dance though, Janaki. 🙂
Loved the “cauliflower” – that made me chuckle. I love people watching too but I’m glad they can’t read my mind!
Suzy recently posted..Blogfest – A Party Story
Glad it did, Suzy. Our aunt came out with a lot more funny phrases! Oh, I’m a very subtle people-watcher too. 😉
Oh, I agree people watching is like food for thought! I love doing it too, being a cauliflower myself 😛 I like to be entertained, rather than being the entertainer 😀
Akanksha Dureja recently posted..A Text MMS!
Food for thought and blog, it is, Akanksha! My cauliflower patch seems to be growing. 🙂
I’m never the life of the party. But, I’ve learned to just enjoy life at the party. So, I talk to people, but if there’s music I must dance.
Myrna recently posted..WATCHING PEOPLE ON THE SUBWAY IN NEW YORK
Enjoying life at a party – now that’s something to think about, Myrna. I, unfortunately, have two left feet!
While I was reading ‘Quiet’ quietly, this is where all the discussion was happening ! You have the soft power Corinne ,I can vouch for that ! Loved reading this.
Haha..the timing was just right. That’s why I must read Quiet. Thanks for your compliment – I’ll treasure it, Sharmila. ♥
Not an introvert for sure, but not an extrovert either. 🙂 I would go and mingle with everyone, wish everyone that I know there, but wouldn’t be the first one to dance or make hulchal. Never knew Cauliflower was used to refer like this..hahah
Latha recently posted..Me and My Darling
I too go and say hello to everyone and then retire to my observer’s point, Latha. My aunt wanted to say ‘wallflower’, but with her penchant for malapropisms, she said ‘cauliflower’. 😉
Definitely I need to participate. I don’t like to sit around and watch others 🙂 I need actions 🙂
Journey of Life recently posted..Journey to the Philae Temple
Nice to know that you’re a woman of action, Angela. But I wouldn’t have guessed otherwise. 🙂
It might seem like it at first, but I, and my colleagues agree, am definitely not a cauliflower (*Oh, were did my short sentence go? :P)
I think I could maintain my balance. I give the floor to the host 😉 But when in a party, I socialize. Even my ex told me I’ll wilt if I don’t talk 😛
*Love the cauliflower. I’m also an introvert 🙂
Melissa Tandoc recently posted..εφφαθα: First part
Talking I love as well, Melissa. And I socialize too – but never the life of the party. Of course, I knew you were an introvert! 😉
Corinne ! I am getting all the images of your observation, in my mind, while I am reading this post. I am not an extrovert and I am really not comfortable and happy in large gatherings, but I do enjoy the company of close friends in a party. I would definitely acknowledge the presence of others, but may not be the centre of attraction.
This was an enjoyable post, for it brought in a lot of memories, smile and laughter and am still hearing some of your observations that I can never forget in my life ! Thanks for adding a lot of humor to my life ! you made my day !!!!!
Oh Janet, it depends on where the party is right? 😉 I think with a group of friends it’s so different. But large gatherings are where I prefer the corners, where I can be wicked quietly! 😉
If it is a family get together I am definitely the life of the party as I am known in my house for being the 24 X 7 FM channel which simply refuses to stop playing… I can go on and on and on… but if it is a professional party I am happy being a mute spectator. I don’t know why I don’t feel comfortable sharing my that side with everyone. I smile and talk with everyone but nothing beyond that.
And not to forget I simply love dancing. So grooving to some nice music is ofcourse included in both the parties 😉
Privy Trifles recently posted..Moments (Flash Fiction)
I know we haven’t met and I haven’t seen a picture of you, but I’m forming mental pictures of a dancing 24/7 FM channel! 🙂