I don't know that I'd call myself a polyglot. I can read, to one degree or another, in a few languages. I can speak one "foreign" (it's an official language of a country I am a citizen of, so foreign is an odd way to put it) language pretty well (at least when I am in practice- I'm not at the moment), and a couple of others well enough to get by in. But I've known quite a few people who spoke five or six languages really well, and quite a few who have more than one native language (though I've noticed that even they tend to have a dominant language).
I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but to some degree your question is a very American question ('twould be very Japanese as well, and actually quite characteristic of most English speaking citizens of Commonwealth nations, if you leave out the older languages of the Isles). Now, there's nothing wrong with that, as you are an American

(I am too, for the most part, though I still have instincts that tell me to say that you are from The States, rather than calling you an American). I just think it's worth being aware of.
I've often thought that there are some interesting parallels between Britain and Japan. Do you know the expression '島国根性'? I wouldn't recommend suggesting to the Japanese that they suffer from an island mentality (they're aware of it, but would probably rather not have it pointed out by an outsider) but as an Anglo I think I'm allowed to say that the English speaking peoples exhibit a degree of insularity.
So, while I could be considered a polyglot by American standards (and could be considered one when it comes to reading, even measured by more demanding standards), I'm acutely aware that by, say, Scandinavian standards I'm the moral equivalent of the local color in 'Deliverance'. My responses are conditioned by that.
TrashTreasurer wrote:
Does being a polyglot define who you are? Is it a fact that you like to introduce about yourself rather early when meeting new people, or is it a pleasant surprise to pull out months down the road?
Well, if I can work it into the conversation... actually, it is not something I mention without a good reason. Some people who know me reasonably well probably don't know that I can speak anything other than English (people who have heard me speak Chinese recently are similarly unaware, but the ones that believe in speaking in tongues occasionally seek out my spiritual guidance- every contribution helps). It does tend to come up eventually, and it's hard to miss if you look at my books. But I think you'd be surprised at how unimpressive most people find it. People are usually more interested in how you respond to their achievements than they are in yours. My experience tells me that "Wow, you water-ski? That's really impressive, particularly considering your center of gravity" is a better pickup line than "You know, I speak Swahili."
On the other hand, my sister speaks German better than I will ever speak any language other than English (she was raised there, and went to German schools from the age of seven) and she is impressed... go figure.
I'm a bit careful to not jump on native speakers of a language I speak just for the sake of doing it, particularly if their English is good... I'd feel like a puppy expecting a pat on the head for not peeing on the floor. I can't say I've never done it, but I'm more careful about it now. OTOH, on a couple of occasions I've been able to really help someone out, and I would be lying if I said that their complete shock when I busted out my chops was not a bit gratifying. But.. I was aware that it was not shock at my amazing chops. I mean, if a dog can talk, it's shocking even if he is not the most articulate fellow in the world

.
I mentioned, in another thread, that I once sorted out a messed up delivery order in Chinese, because the delivery-girl spoke very little English (I don't count this as "really helping someone out", though I suppose it made her night a bit easier). The restaurant was actually only a block from my house (I guess you have to live in NYC to completely understand getting Chinese delivery from a block away). This tipped them that I spoke some Chinese, and I used to go there for take-out pretty regularly, so the staff there (who mostly spoke pretty passable English) started talking to me in Chinese.
The girl who usually worked the counter there was actually pretty flirty, and every time I came in she would tell me, in English, "You're so smart. You must be so smart. You speak Chinese!" (imagine a politically incorrect rendering of accent). I don't know if the Chinese have a special school where they go to learn this phrase, but they all know it, and they all say it with _exactly_ the same intonation. So one day I jokingly said "Well, your English is better than my Chinese so _you_ must be so smart. I think you just think Americans are too stupid to learn Chinese

."- that is a literal transcription of a wink, not a smiley. She had a fit of the giggles, because, of course, I had her dead to rights. (Don't get the wrong idea from the text... this was a friendly conversation, and I think we both found it amusing.)
TrashTreasurer wrote:
In the past, have others been impressed by your ability to learn new languages, or has it caused you to appear like a "dork" because you spend a lot of your free time doing such things?
Like I said, I tend to hide vices like language study. I have practice, because I do much dorkier things than study languages. When I proved the Riemann hypothesis my first thought was- how is this going to affect my sex life? I've held off on publishing because I am worried that the (deserved) accolades might erode the air of humility responsible for so much of my personal charm.
TrashTreasurer wrote:
Do you agree with the statement "learn a new language, gain a new soul"? Basically, are there spiritual or deeper meanings to being a polyglot than just the functional uses of your peripheral languages such as making a living with them because you have emigrated?
Well, smack me on the *** and call me Horatio

. I'd find this easier to answer if I had ever been able to locate the original. The truth is that there is at least one semi-intangible that I value a great deal. Every once in a while my synapses light up like a Christmas tree. At least, I have that impression- I'm not sure an EEG would bear that out.
Beyond that, the ability to read certain things in the original is something I value a great deal. I'm not sure how that compares with a new soul, but it's enough for me.