I like attention....by the right people.
However, If I become the center of attention while in a group, I can become very uncomfortable.
It seems I have some social anxiety issues, so unless I have a glass of wine first(maybe two), I am not up for anything such as public speaking.

I was constantly pushed towards management because I've an aptitude for it, but I am by nature an introvert and have to force myself to do be that center of attention. I hate, hate, hate public speaking. My job required it but I never got used to it and I was never any good at it. When I retired, I publicly stated I would not do it anymore, except if I have to for selling a book etc.

I did learn to have attention paid to me however. Let me explain. This was when I began to prepare to live full time as a woman before I had transitioned. If a person is self conscious or fearful, others will pick up on that discomfort and zero on on you. That is human nature and as a person changing gender in Houston, it could be extremely dangerous as well.

So I made a decision, kind of crazy in retrospect. I decided to spend a period of time purposely violating the gender rules, dressing very androgynous and very outrageous. This absolutely ensured I would have people watching me intently, and confusing the heck out of some. My attitude was that if I could be comfortable like that, then the rest would be a piece of cake.

Okay I had a couple of close calls to being hurt really bad. But it did work, and I perfected the snappy response and learned to make humor work for me. I can't say I enjoyed it, but it gave me what I needed to proceed. Once I began living full time, it was smooth going so I guess it worked.

Well, I don't crave attention even though I came from a big family. I know how to get it, if need be, but I don't thrive on it....can take it or leave it....and I certainly don't like to attract negative attention. I have no phobia about public speaking. I go in to an altered state of consciousness, and let my alternate self take over. I really never had to do this much, usually in college, but I wasn't intimidated, lol There are a lot of attention hogs here on Eons...they can have it...;p

I really don't know who I am in this respect.
I was told that I was made prefect in High School because I needed to be drawn out of my shell. Then I was manager of a large Front line dept for over 12 years.I stood before classes of students for over 17 years also.
I know for sure that I like to make others feel that their contribution is important. On the other hand I also like to feel that my contibution is of some value.
Have I answered the question Louise?

i'd like to know how you're defining 'attention hogs'. Certainly there seem to be people that will say outrageous even unkind and insulting things because they become the center of attention then. To me an 'attention hog' is more a function of the quality/tone of their posts rather than the quantity of them.

i mean, isn't the whole point of social networking to communicate? To exchange ideas and opinions? i can understand lurking when you're deciding whether to join a group, but once you've joined it seems voyeuristic to not respond to some of the posts at least. And that's ok, too. i just don't feel people who do participate fully should be lumped in with the ones who'll say unpleasant things just to get attention.

What (my role model) feywon said.

I hope this does not come off as arrogant or self centered. I am an extrovert, I rarely meet a stranger and don't know if I ever met anyone I was intimidated by *(maybe Maya Angelou). I do not seek the spotlight but it does find me. I do not go out to be the center of attention, and will try my best to make certain no one is left out (in real life) I will fight with you and be the first to step up to the plate if I feel you are being treated unfairly.

I am dedicated to any cause I happen to be working on and always where the laughter is. Attention hog....NO. Passionate....YES.

I feel theres more to this question.

When I was younger, I was EXTREMELY shy...didn't want any kind of attention. But, now that I've matured to the 'over 50' age, I'm confident enough in myself that attention doesn't bother me at all. But I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm an attention hog...now my oldest daughter, on the other hand.....