Boring Alert! 10 Tiresome Behaviors That Drive People Crazy

A bored woman holds out the tv remote as if she's channel surfing.Photo bySB Arts Media via Shutterstock

Are you boring?

While scrolling through my favorite sub of Reddit, R/Askreddit, I came across a thread asking users to describe behaviors that make people boring. You may want to work on your social skills if you regularly do any of these things!

No Bounce Back

Conversations should be back and forth. Boring folks don’t pick up that paddle and return the conversation. “Conversation with a boring person is like throwing ball with no one. Whatever you tell to them just doesn't bounce back,” explained one user.

Incompatibility

However, the user was generous in their response, saying it’s often an incompatibility issue rather than a boring person. “On the other hand,” they added, “you can't bounce back whatever they throw at you. So, being boring is largely about being incompatible, but also about not interacting.”

Waiting To Talk

“Not being able to listen. Some people just want to give you a speech instead of have a conversation,” replied one user.

Others agreed. “Some people have the self-control to stay quiet for a few seconds pretending to listen to you, but in reality, they are just waiting for their turn to talk,” responded another user.

Lack of Curiosity

It’s OK to love something so much that you obsess about it. However, you need to realize everyone doesn’t share your obsession, so be open to discovering things other people enjoy too.

Lack of Imagination

Imagine coming up with a fantastic new idea. You’re so excited that you share it with all your friends. Of course, there’s this one guy who completely lacks imagination, so instead of sharing your excitement, he’ll come up with thousands of reasons why it won’t work.

Folks who do this all the time are conversation destroyers. One user said cynical people who lack their own creativity often try to tear others down. People like this may not be boring, but eventually, no one will want to talk to them.

Single Interests

If you’re so obsessed with your niche interest that you don’t know anything about anything else, you may come across as dull.

“When all of a person's interests center around a single topic,” replied one user, “you end up with a person who is unable to hold a conversation and therefore be considered boring.”

To be interesting, you must have general knowledge about various topics. Knowing a little bit about many things can help hold a conversation with anyone.

Unoriginal

Have you ever talked with someone whose opinions were formed entirely by someone or something else? It’s tedious!

Although you’re not required to have an opinion on any given topic, you should be able to form your own views on various things with a little critical thinking. Those who can’t seem to form an opinion on anything and only parrot back the opinions of others get boring fast.

Pearl Clutchers

Folks who stifle others are usually really boring themselves.

One user ranted about what I like to call “pearl clutchers,” folks who constantly judge others for being themselves even though it doesn’t affect their lives in any way.

“People who discourage weird people from letting their weird side shine, whether subtly or non-subtly. People who pressure anyone who deviates from the norm in any harmless way to hide it. People who try to douse the flame of an eccentric person who is finally happy about something.”

It’s All About You

Even interesting people get stale when they can’t shut up about themselves. Others get bored quickly when you make yourself the topic of every conversation.

“When every conversation somehow ends up about them,” responded one user, while another added, “Even if they are super interesting, that is quite annoying.”

No Passion

“Even the most dull, bland person will light up when they are talking about stuff they love,” responded one user. But if they don’t love anything, there’s nothing to “light up” about.

Intentional Lack of Experience

People who dig themselves into a cozy little corner of the world and never venture outside of it can get boring.

One Redditor shared that their wife’s family lacks real-world experience, making conversations with them tedious. “They don't have friends, they haven't traveled much, and they don't have any hobbies or interests,” the user said. “They pretty much just watch the news and go to work. And so anytime we get together for some reason, I find myself bored out of my mind. They have nothing to talk about, they don't have strong opinions on anything, and they have no funny or interesting anecdotes.”

You can’t hide yourself away from the world and expect to be interesting. Life is a treasure, and you should spend time cultivating real-world experiences, going on adventures, meeting new people, and trying new things.

Constant Complaining

If you can't enjoy anything without finding the negatives, you're probably a bore to be around. People want to enjoy life, they don't want someone constantly bringing down the vibe.

Passion Destroys Boredom - Find Yours

Your dream life is within reach. Your passion is buried deep inside of you, aching to burst free. Here's how to rediscover your passion and life the life you always wanted.

This article was produced and syndicated by Partners in Fire.