It is a blessing to live in a world where people are so different in character and personality. Some are pleasant, some not and some just make the world a little more interesting.
And then there is another group. We all know at least one member, a work colleague who is always too buried in his or her job, or someone we remember from school days as always hiding in the comfort of his own company. Perhaps it is a young teenage relative so pathologically shy about socialising, even with family members, that she might burst into tears anytime she is pushed to enter a crowded room.
People such as these have always been around, under many labels. People call them "reclusive" or "unsociable" or "shy" or just "quiet". Whatever we call them, we all know some of them very well.
Unfortunately, as quiet individuals, they are living in a world that sees their qualities as "weak".
The world tends to demand that these people change their ways and learn how to approach others, situations and communication methods differently. They need to be audible and visible, they are told, so they won't be overlooked.
In essence, they are living in limbo until they emerge from their "shells" - but they cling to those shells, because inside them is where they find a feeling of safety.
Recently I stumbled upon a book by Susan Cain titled Quiet: the Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking.
In writing this book, Cain has made an enormous and generous effort to explain the many complex elements that can make an individual an "introvert", and she backs up her explanations up with scientific data.
Contrary to what is commonly believed, "introvert" is not a technical or scientific term. What it means is that such a person can accept only a low amount of stimulation from the human environment.
An introvert can't stand an overly busy situation, such as having to deal with a large number of people at once. So of course, a crowd can stress most introverts.
Such people work best when they are mostly alone. That's why a large number of them prefer solitary professions, including writing, for example - vocations that do not demand a lot of human-to-human interaction.
That also explains why most introverts prefer to have a few very close friends to hang out with and why they cherish being alone.
Similarly, such people may have trouble taking in large amounts of data from their environment all at once. Multitasking can be very hard for them because they are naturally so immersed in and focused on their work that it's hard to distribute their attention.
Cain's book also deals with extroverts, naturally the opposite of introverts. (In case you were wondering, someone who is equally introverted and extroverted might be referred to as an ambivert.)
Extroverts, as we know, are highly celebrated in most societies - but not all. In parts of Asia including China, Taiwan and Korea, qualities associated with introversion can be celebrated in society.
But people do tend to admire those who are sociable, outgoing, energetic, dominant, assertive, bold, thick-skinned and so on. There is nothing wrong with that, but we have reached a point where if you can't "market yourself" properly, you don't stand a chance in this loudmouth world. That is just a sad truth.
We should all make an effort to accept the introverts who make up 30 to 50 per cent of the population. Their qualities are not "weaknesses" but rather are something that require a different approach.
This is true for schools, workplaces and even in relationships. Introverts face a challenge in trying to fit into a world that is so perfectly suited to extroverts.
Introverts are not missing out on anything; they are just being themselves. It's too bad that the world is not more forgiving of those who are quiet and reflective.
Fatma Muhammed Al Ardhi is an art gallery owner based in Muscat
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Sebastian Stefan, Sebastian Morar and Claudia Pacurar
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2014
Number of employees: 36
Sector: Logistics
Raised: $2.5 million
Investors: DP World, Prime Venture Partners and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The five pillars of Islam
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
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%3Cp%3E1.%20Protracted%20but%20less%20intense%20war%20(60%25%20likelihood)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E2.%20Negotiated%20end%20to%20the%20conflict%20(30%25)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E3.%20Russia%20seizes%20more%20territory%20(20%25)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E4.%20Ukraine%20pushes%20Russia%20back%20(10%25)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3EForecast%20by%20Economist%20Intelligence%20Unit%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
Generation Start-up: Awok company profile
Started: 2013
Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 600 plus
Stage: still in talks with VCs
Principal Investors: self-financed by founder
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Blah
Started: 2018
Founder: Aliyah Al Abbar and Hend Al Marri
Based: Dubai
Industry: Technology and talent management
Initial investment: Dh20,000
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 40
RESULT
Manchester City 1 Sheffield United 0
Man City: Jesus (9')