Pauline Dunne has always been quiet. Her radio documentary, 'The Little Mouse in the Corner', explores how the world treats quiet and introverted people.
Pauline joined Ryan on The Ryan Tubridy Show to talk about the documentary and she explained that this aspect of her personality has been a defining characteristic of her life.
"I’m very quiet and that’s probably been the biggest defining feature about me. Like, through my whole life, people have always been asking ‘Why are you so quiet?’
"I’ve always been defined that way by teachers and colleagues and just everybody. So, I decided to make a radio documentary about it to just answer those questions once and for all."
Growing up with a love of writing but lacking the confidence to pursue it as a career, Pauline dabbled in Legal Studies. It wasn’t long before she felt the irresistible pull of a job as a magazine writer and decided that she was more than capable.
"You don’t need to be the loudest person in the room to be able to do a job. People who are quiet have their own advantages.
"There’s more than one way to do a job as well. Even if it’s a typically extroverted job, there are ways to do it…in a quiet way."
Ryan asked about the risk of being perceived the wrong way as a quiet person. Pauline acknowledges that this can happen.
"They can think you’re a bit weird, maybe, if you’re not talking that much.
"Or they might think you’re rude…I feel like people think it’s okay to be really quiet if you’re some genius that’s going to come up with the next computer. You know, like the next Bill Gates or something."
One thing Pauline feels is important is making room for quiet kids and encouraging them in the classroom.
"They say you should never call someone ‘shy’. Kids, especially. When I was growing up, I was always told I was very shy.
"First of all, it’s embarrassing. So, if someone is a bit shy you’re going to embarrass them by pointing it out in front of everybody.
"It also compounds the problem because if you have an issue and everyone keeps saying it to you, you start to think you can’t change it."
So, how is the future looking for Pauline? She told Ryan she’s trying to care less about what other people think.
"I used to get really conscious of going red when I was talking to people. And then I was like ‘Look, there’s nothing I can do. Just embrace the redness’."
Listen back to the full interview on The Ryan Tubridy Show above. Documentary on One: The Little Mouse in the Corner is available to listen to in full here. For more info, check out the DocOnOne website.
