I'm a quiet person. Like, extremely quiet. I just don't like to talk that much except with a few very close friends then I talk and laugh a lot. Maybe I'm shy around strangers, but the problem isn't shyness it's the lack of talking. Of course with the exception of work I talk to people because I’m in customer service

I’ve had so many instances of people telling me how quiet I am and then they imply that it makes them uncomfortable. My question is why? I don't mind sitting in total silence, with strangers or with friends, but most people find this awkward.

When I went to visit some relatives, they had friends over and we were gathered around eating. There was conversation going on but I didn't talk that much except to answer some questions or make some brief comments. One of the guests mentioned how funny it is that some people don't talk. He was of course, implicating me. Not once did he did this, but twice!

It occurred to me that what was perfectly normal to me, was so inexplicable to someone else. I didn't do anything or say anything bad about these people, but for some reason my silence really offends them.

At first I thought maybe some people are just talkative, or get bored easily. But I think perhaps the majority of people don't feel comfortable around quiet people? My question is why? Why do people HAVE to talk.