Social Smarts for Highly Sensitive People

Highly sensitive people are very attuned to other people so it would seem that they would have an easy time of social events. The truth is more complicated. HSP’s are empathic but also aware since their sensitiviity and attraction to nuance afford them perspectives that are different from non-HSP’s. They tend as a result to avoid small talk and prefer to talk about serious subjects, which is often not conducive to good social relationships. They also become easily overwhelmed by noise and chatter. HSp’s do better in one-on-one relationships or small groups as a result.