Introverts: are there times when you just can't face talking to someone?

[AmiesArmy]

For example, today i had 2 long meetings attended by lots of people, with a half hour gap in between. After the first meeting i ran into a lovely colleague who i hadn't seen for ages, and probably won't see again for ages but i just didn't want to talk to her so i did a very quick hi and bye rushed off. I know that this possibly appeared rude to her, and that i often do this but i just needed a few minutes of quiet time.
Is this introvertism to it's extreme or do other introverts experience this? And if so how do you try to remain polite without getting sucked into social chat?

Should learn to proofread, sorry

Lacontessa you just need to breathe lovey and stop the chatter those silences are fine left silent

lacontessa I'm the same! No one in work believes I'm actually very quiet.

I can quite happily not speak to anyone for days, dh thinks it's hilarious when I tell him I could happily be a hermit.

My worst office thing is small talk in lifts! I've taken the stairs 7 months pregnant up 5 floors to avoid awkward lift chat.

Glad it's not just me I do think 'Oh thank goodness, social minimum has been covered, I can shut up now' a lot - I'm not just on permachatter! There is a feeling of obligation though, very often. I hate it. I barely open my mouth at home! Poor DH.

Yes!
DP thinks I am endlessly rude when we are out in social situations, because I would quite happily sit and nurse my drink by myself all night, and not speak to anyone in the group.
I also do the toilet thing, I'll sit in the cubicle for ages just enjoying being alone.
When I get home from socializing I am so exhausted and it takes a long time to recover.

If, like you OP, I bump into someone and can't face talking (especially if you've only got a short precious break!) I would honestly lie and say sorry I have to be somewhere.

My family wouldn't consider me an introvert i really am They think me ignoring calls or not meeting up regularly is me being unreliable. Its not like I make plans and cancel I just don't make the plans to begin with

I think I've always been this way but worse since I had dc, I always thought I was a little ahem odd.

I do enjoy seeing family and friends, nights out, spending time with my dp and dc BUT I enjoy my own company and peace and quiet so much more.

I enjoy mine and dps none awkward silences

I live for shutting myself away and getting 10 mins peace!

Im an extrovert and even I don't want to talk to people sometimes. I avoided someone I hadn't seen for years (because I just didn't have it in me to talk) - then subsequently found out she'd suddenly died of an horrific cancer. THAT made me feel shit!

I'm an ambivert, the introverted side of me loves nothing more than my own company and I really pick up on people's energy, if they aren't comfortable in their skin I pick up on it and it completely drains me. I sometimes feel like I might pass out because of it.

The extravert in me talks to anyone, loves a party and am v sociable. However, I find 'mundane' chatter utterly boring and don't see how anyone could enjoy it.

It's like having a split personality

Thank God it's not just me. I'm actually fine with people I know and like, and can relax with, but anyone else...neighbours, casual acquaintances I find really hard work. I can't be myself at all. I have the conversation, then run it over and over in my head, convinced I sounded like a dick. .

Yes sometimes I find it so exhausting making conversation, mainly at work. Quite often I put off going to the toilet / printer as long as possible as I know I'll have to stop and chat to someone on the way.

Yes! I'm like this. After a day of children I am drained and often run away upstairs to bed when dh is home to have my private time and sit in silence. I hate small talk. I hate endless text messages. I hide from people to avoid talking as it just drains me further, especially if I've been at home with the kids all day. If I do happen to bump into someone I just give a big hello and then a big bye and run off. I don't care if it's rude...

Oh me too. I often have to take myself off to bed. I can barely speak with dh anymore he just drones on. It's exhausting
When I was younger I went on holiday with a friend to the US and stayed with some of her friends. We had the long flights etc, jet lag and then the friends just wanting to meet me and know everything about me. I burst into tears and had to go off into another room. They all thought it was very odd. I was so embarrassed

Yes. I feel terrible about it but sometimes I just can't.
I saw bumped into someone I like very much recently and I couldn't even say hello because I was with a big group of people and completely overloaded with it all. I'm happy being an introvert but that was shit.

I'm shy, I'm like talking to people I know very well, but I find chit chat with acquaintances difficult. If i'm feeling upbeat I'll put the effort in, but If feel a bit low I do my best to avoid it. On the way to school to collect dcs I'll be speeding up, slowing down and crossing the road to avoid people. They probably don't want to talk to me anyway. I work from home now which is bliss!