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AbidemiHi. So Rory.

RoryYeah, hi.

AbidemiHi. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

RoryI’m not sure, you know. Sometimes I think that I’m basically an introvert. Like as I get older, I much prefer my own company.

AbidemiInteresting.

RoryI don’t really like going to parties that much if there’s going to be new people there. If it’s my friends, I’m happy to go out, but I don’t know. What about you?

AbidemiIt’s funny what you said. I feel the same way. I think sometimes I’m an introvert and other times I can be an extrovert. But maybe in reverse to what you said. I feel like the older I get, the more extroverted I become.

RoryThat’s interesting.

AbidemiWhile I was younger, I was a lot shier, so I preferred my own company. But now I find that sometimes too, I really enjoy people. So I like to meet new ones. So yeah.

RoryYes. In the classroom, as a teacher, I’m quite an extrovert I think. I quite like being up in front of students and showing of, but I would never do that in front of other teachers or my friends, in my personal life.

AbidemiInteresting.

RoryBut something about the classroom maybe because it’s my environment and I’m in control that I feel more comfortable, like being more extroverted and showing off, camping up.

AbidemiI think it would be a little difficult to be introverted if you were a language teacher. I think it certainly helps to be extroverted or to act to be able to become more extroverted when you’re in the classroom for sure. For sure.

RoryYeah. And have you ever done anything really extroverted, like performed in public?

AbidemiBefore I used to sing actually, and I have sang in concerts.

RoryRight.

AbidemiAnd it’s true. I think that’s where my introverted self really comes out because although I enjoy singing, and I like the attention to a certain extent, but I get really nervous. Really, really nervous when I’m in front of a large crowd. And sometimes I’m like, “Why am I doing this to myself? Why am I here?”

RoryYeah.

AbidemiBut yeah, I don’t do that so much anymore.

RoryRight. And do you think people can change? Do you think people – because people seem to want to become more extroverted? It seems to be like society says extroverted people are successful people.

AbidemiIt’s true.

RoryDo you think people can change or do you think people should try to change?

AbidemiI’ve heard of actually people saying that depending on the language that people change with the language. I’ve heard of some of my students saying that when they speak in a different language, their personality actually changes, where maybe in their own language, they may be quieter. But when they speak the different language, they become a lot more extroverted.

RoryRight.

AbidemiIt’s as if they change. So whether or not it’s a real change I think you can “fake it” quote-unquote even if you’re not an extrovert or an introvert. Maybe for a few hours or for the occasion. Yeah, you can pretend, and then go back.

RoryRight. I wonder if when we speak a different language, we don’t have the same connections with the words.

AbidemiThat’s true.

RoryIt makes it easier to maybe speak more honestly and not worry about what other people think of us.

AbidemiThat’s true.