If you had to describe yourself as either a “joiner” or a “loner,” which would you choose?
Perhaps this scenario (pre- or post-pandemic, of course) will help you answer our poll question of the day: If you were at home (or in your RV), in your comfiest clothes (pajamas, sweatpants, slippers, etc.) and you got a call from a friend, “Hey, _____! Our friend _____ is having a get-together tonight. They invited everyone to be there in an hour. Want to come?” Would you leap off the couch and start to get ready? “Sure, I’ll see you in an hour!” Or would you look down at your slippers and pull the blanket up a little higher. “Nah, sorry. Not tonight.”
Now, if you said yes or no, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re either (it could’ve just been a bad night, that’s all). But if you had to pick, which would you select? We’re looking forward to seeing the results.
You described me Renee. Glad to see that I am not the only one who describe themselves that away.
Covid-19 has not affected me or my wife, other than occasionally seeing family, Mother-in-law and Son, we are doing great.
I’m good in both groups but my preference is to be by myself. I’m very good at entertaining myself through lots of activities; reading, hiking, exercise, rving, etc. I’ve always said, “if you can’t enjoy being alone, how can you understand and enjoy sharing with others?”
I probably carried this to an extreme after my divorce. There was a feeling I had to go out partying all the time although I’m an introvert. I figured if I wasn’t happy being with just me, why should I expect anyone else to be. I got quite comfortable being alone. With a few brief exceptions, that lasted 19 years. Now happily re-married for 28 years.
I am missing my monthly group meetings, mostly motorcycle groups. I’m also missing my weekly Friday breakfast with all my lady friends. I get to sit there and listen to all of the gossip, quite interesting.
I guess I’m a joiner, I always thought I was introverted.
I am a joiner, married to a loner. It can be challenging. I’ve had to learn to quit committing us to activities and started reaching out to groups that I can join independently. The pandemic really put a crimp in that but I’m hoping for a normal life again one day.
I didn’t used to be a loner but since my boyfriend died, I find myself becoming more and more a loner. Of course, covid-19 hasn’t helped. But, since I like my company, I’m okay with being a loner.
I read a good explanation which helped me better understand the two types. Introverted doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy socializing. It means we need quiet time to recharge. Extroverted doesn’t we don’t like alone time but our internal batteries are recharged by lively interaction with other people. And we need both types and the in-between hybrids to keep life from being monotonous.
Great anology. I agree.
Loner for sure. Even though we do attend group functions and participate locally we seldom “join”. After so many years of military and corporate regimentation we prefer doing our own things. Each to their own but we prefer to march to our own directives not some social or fraternal “rule” or SOP.
I couldn’t vote for one or the other. It depends on with who, what the activity is, and what else is going on.
I’ve definitely been a loner during the pandemic, boondocking in good weather and hunkered down at home for the winter.
I answered “loner,” but I am not sure and neither is my wife. I definitely dislike being in large groups (e.g., entering a college stadium for a football game), but I enjoy being in small groups that could approach 50 people (as some of my college cross-country reunions have had). I do not talk to people on airplanes regardless of the length of the flight. I can go days without seeing anyone other than my wife, so maybe “loner” is the right answer for me.
If you talk to people outside of work you are a ‘joiner’…
I’m not exactly a loner but I don’t join clubs because I hate attending meetings. I worked in Silicon Valley for a major company and was used to fast paced meetings with a tight focused agenda.
Most club meetings are slow, disorganized and unfocused with the same issues unresolved month after month.
I’m not patient with idiots.
Hmm…a little humility might suit you better.
It is interesting that three quarters of the respondents say they are loners. What I notice at RV parks is that while most RV folks are fine with the small space and being alone or with their SO most of the time. They will stop what ever they are doing and visit with other RVer’s for hours and the group can grow or shrink as it will. Most are wonderful people and will help with anything they can. Some of the kindest and friendliest folks I’ve ever met.
Being a Type B personality, Im definitely a loner and will normally go out of my way to avoid others except for very close friends and family of course. I will join others if they initiate the conversation/activity, but normally I like just being left alone. My better half on the other hand, will walk up to total strangers and start up a conversation and has many, many friends…joins clubs, groups and volunteers for just about anything. Definitely a Type A. It’s true, opposites attract.
Yep
If you spend a lot of time with even one other person you are not a loner.
I checked loner. Not that I couldn’t be found on a small group having a good time. But I am not a last minute individual. Don’t tell me an hour before, those are the plans that go wrong. Give me a schedule less hiccups.
I checked loner but I think of myself as independent. I have joined many things in my life but only participate to a certain level. I’m not a joiner in that I join in on everything that comes up. I reserve my participation to the point where I’m not part of the “crowd”. As part of the UAW when they came around telling how great the democrats are I didn’t follow suit, I vote for the person I think is best no matter what their affiliation is. What I’m saying is I’m my own man and nobody is going to change me.
I thot I was a loner as I do not like groups of people even if I know all of them. One on one, I am fine. THEN I REMEMBERED – I spend every day with all of these people at RVTravel !!, AND ENJOY IT !
I’m not above sitting around for hours just enjoying life or jumping up and scurrying around for hours. Friends and family have come to know which “mood” I’m in and it works great for me. But it’s too late in life to change now
I would rather watch from a distance. Worked around many people and supported many work groups in my working years. Just tired of dealing with all types of personalities. In a large group I will usually just sit and listen
Joe, were you asked to describe me! lol
Being alone is different than being lonely.
I don’t identify with either extreme. Same for type A or B personality and introvert/extrovert.
You’re like me a omnivert. I love group gatherings and I love alone time
i have been a joiner all my working life,
even after retirement I was a joiner. But I have noticed maybe the last couple of years that I have begun to say no and I am fine with it. Easier to do this last year as my wife and I have just stayed home pretty much except shopping for groceries and doctors appointments due to the Covid issue. I want a simple uncluttered life, more time with my wife, family, last but not least my friends…And that now too feels fine.
If you are on Social Security and Medicare you are part of a Socialist program. Almost by definition then, a ‘joiner’.
Total failure of logic and the theme of the survey.