Introverts and extroverts

I recently went to a brunch with a bunch of people I did not know and tuned into a discussion about people who call themselves introverts. They were discussing the hypocrisy of a claim to introversion as a conversation starter, as in going up to a bunch of people at a party and saying, "Hi, I'm an introvert."I thought that was pretty funny, especially after one of the people at the brunch had described themselves as in introvert shortly after introducing themselves to me. Apparently, a lot of folks are classifying themselves as introverts these days--and I thought introverts were considered uncool. So I asked, "What exactly is an introvert?" One  guy began to explain how Carol Jung coined the term and defined it as someone who "recharges" without the company of others, whereas an extrovert recharges amongst company. So an introvert is not necessarily someone who never goes to parties (and certainly not someone who goes to parties and advertises their introvertedness), but someone who goes to a party, leaves exhausted, and returns home for quiet time by her/himself to recharge in a dark underground room with alternative music.

Then I went on about how I associate extroversion with Holly Golightly, which effectively concluded the conversation. She is the ultimate example of an extrovert though, isn't she? Audrey Hepburn claimed that that role in particular was a challenge for her because she considered herself to be an introvert. Based on the textbook definition, I follow Miss Hepburn's lead. People exhaust me and I cannot picture anything more pleasing after a large social event than cuddling up in a fetal position elsewhere. Certain people are exceptions and definitely charge me up, and I am perfectly apt at sharing quality conversation one-on-one, but I do not handle large groups well. I consider myself to be exceptionally pensive and reserved in my opinions, compared to people who broadcast their thoughts so easily. Most of the time I desire to be more extroverted, to be more open and appreciative of groups of people--embracing the pack; so it is funny for me to hear of a trend in introversion. I suppose it is more artsy and edgy.