What is interesting?

[msfsteven]

Hey, I'm Steven and I was just wondering what others think an interesting person is. I'm sure everyone has different reasons. It could be that they have things in common, like hobbies or talents. Maybe they are unique, have good attitudes or look at things differently. Are they nice? Do they stand out? Weird or quiet? Think about it and give your honest opinion. Feel free to add on to the topic/question and/or move the thread elsewhere. Thanks!

[Soliloquy]

This is a great question! Very thought-provoking. Well, personally (and this is my spin off of the "Life would be boring if everyone was the same" saying), that everyone is interesting in their own way. We all have things that make us unique, and we are interesting simply because we are original.

But if you're talking about "I'd want to be friends with them" interesting, then that is a bit different. We all have standards when it comes to our friends and I am no exception. Although I try to see the best in everyone, I can't befriend the whole world. Trust me, I'd go insane. For me, there is no real set recipe for friendship. I'm pretty flexible, and I do have exceptions to my "normal standards."

A lot of people like to have hobbies in common with their friends so they can do those things together. This is true for me in some respects, but typically I look at values and like-mindedness first. If I have hobbies in common with my friends, it's usually by coincidence or the fact that we were already pretty similar people.

I greatly enjoy people whom I can have intellectual conversations with. Also, I can also take loudness in small doses. I am not a loud person, so I find I can identify better with those who are quieter like myself. They are easier for me to talk to without feeling intimidated initially. If people are going to be my friends, they need to understand personal boundaries as well. No obsessive poking or prodding, please.

Like I said, because I hang out with like-minded individuals, we may have similar hobbies, values, and priorities. My friends tend to be a little bit nerdy (like me). They care about their looks and take good care of themselves but they don't make it an obsession. A lot of my friends like to read as well, and a bunch of us have been faithful members of our school's book club for a couple years now.

But it seems like other than reading, my friends and I don't have a great deal in common when it comes to hobbies and talents. I befriended them because they're bright, intelligent people who view the world similarly yet differently to me. They are individuals. No cookie-cutter girls who only pal around with certain people because they think it's cool. My friends broke the molds. They have their own thoughts and opinions. Maybe they're a little hesitant to voice them sometimes, but if you take the time to listen they're really fascinating people. And, we can be smart and sedate on our time and still know how to have fun!

My friends must be nice. I don't do well with people who are controlling. They should also be patient and understanding, because sometimes I take a little longer to do things if I am having a bad anxiety day or something. And... gosh, my friends are weird AND quiet. We're so weird when we're together, but one-on-one, you probably wouldn't know it.

Of course, like I said, I have exceptions to these things. But I tend to only consider those people my "casual friends." The kind you hang out with because they're funny and know how to have a good time, but the ones you wouldn't talk about anything personal with. You know? So there you have it!

[Cabron]

I think interesting people are those that make really stupid lame jokes and laugh at them. You're interesting if you say awkward things and don't go 'AWKWARDDDDDD' afterwards. You're interesting if you're intelligent and quick, not to mention witty. You're interesting if you know a lot about the things you love. You're interesting if you're completely and unabashedly yourself.

[Reverie.]

This is a very good question, actually. I've never thought about this before. I guess an interesting person has many different meanings to me. Someone who is quiet and doesn't talk too much can interest me because people are never just quiet because they can be. I think there's always a story behind a person and finding out about that story is interesting. Similarly, a really loud person can be interesting too. To me the persons background interests me the most and I think that plays a big role in whether a person is interesting.

Edit: Also, elderly people interest me. They always have storied about their lives and I could listen to an elderly person talk about their past for hours. Stories of the war, their childhood, things that have changed since they were my age.

[eunoia]

Originally Posted by Cabron

You're interesting if you're completely and unabashedly yourself.

You said that perfectly. Sincerity is a gift, not one many people have, but to me it is the single most attractive personality trait a person can have.

Originally Posted by Cabron

I think interesting people are those that make really stupid lame jokes and laugh at them. You're interesting if you say awkward things and don't go 'AWKWARDDDDDD' afterwards.

My girlfriend calls those my "dad jokes". I just told her off for making fun of me for them. So thanks for that.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

I find the question a bit vague because there are people I find interesting even if I don't like them. For example, if I try to understand someone yet there is something the person is hiding all the time, I find that interesting. Likewise, if someone says a certain lie that obviously isn't true yet continues to say it even though the lie is clear, I find that interesting. I may not like the person in any way but it's still interesting.

On the other hand, I may like someone who is interesting in terms of likes/dislikes of certain things.