How can you differentiate between being shy and appearing snobby?

Question

I heard that if you're shy, sometimes others think you are stuck-up, snobby or disinterested. I hope I don't give off that impression. I feel I have a huge inferiority complex, so appearing stuck-up never crossed my mind. But other people may still have misconceptions. So how can others tell the difference between shy and stuck-up? Is there a way to tell the difference in how you act??

How can you tell the difference between shy and snobbishness?

Answer 1

Wow, what a great question. The two conditions DO give off similar nonverbal behavior. But you're right...not totally the same.

Shyness comes from fear of not wanting to put yourself out there, the fear of not being accepted, the desire to stay internal.

Snobbiness comes from arrogance, the attitude that you are superior, better than the people around you.

Similarities come when snobby people refuse to interact with people they disdain.

Two differences...the most subtle and hard-to-interpret is the difference between the fear expressed in shyness and the coldness expressed in snobbiness. All I can say is, it FEELS different. People "just know" without knowing how they know.

The other difference is that snobby people DO interact willingly, but only with people in their in-group. So they really aren't shy. They are exclusive. The are busy interacting with other people they think are superior in some way.

What you can do is STRETCH for brief periods - come out of shyness a little to interact one-on-one with selected people. Do so in a caring way, asking about them. People like that, and it will allow you to just be quiet and listen. You can then share safe aspects of yourself. When you're ready, you can retreat back into yourself for comfort. In this way, no one will mistake you for being snobbish.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 2

I have the same problem. I am shy; I don't go up to people and start a conversation and I don't even say "Hi" to someone I know unless they come and say it first. If they do approach me, then I'm friendly. But I always think that people just think I am a snob. However, even knowing that, I AM quick to judge others when they act that way too. There have been times that I thought someone was snobby and found out later after getting to know them better that they were just shy. I can't tell you how to tell. I think if you look close enough, you can see in a person's eyes if they are truly snobby, or if they are merely shy. Also, just getting to know the person better usually brings the truth out. As for us, I have found that it isn't really all that hard to smile at someone and say hi. When I am brave enough I do. Maybe you should try that, too. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry what everybody else thinks. If they get to know you better, they will find out soon enough, otherwise it doesn't matter.

Answer 3

Sometimes it is hard to tell if someone is shy or if they are snobby. Sometimes people just make an unfair assumption that someone who is quiet and shy is snobby, when that couldn't be further from the truth. For some reason people think that a quiet person is looking down on them or has it all together, when in fact that person just might not have a lot to say or might not like to share their opinion all the time. People really just need to stop making assumptions or keep assumptions to themselves unless they know a person.

Answer 4

The postiton of the head... is her head held up to look down on others or does she simply walk with her head level or down slightly, proving that shyness is a factor? !

Answer 5

For me, it's the individual's attitude, body language, and look in their eyes.

Answer 6

I know what you mean ,but i cant really answer that ,id rather asked the question myself just didnt think of it. i looked at your question and and thought i could get an answer reading yours.So thanx for asking the ?

Answer 7

nose goes up you got a snob, hides behind people you got shy.

Answer 8

body language

Answer 9

body launguage and what you say