"Never laugh at someone for being interested in something you find weird or boring. That just means you don't know enough about it yet."
Something my (now sadly deceased) mum said to me when I was a teen.
Always stuck with me.
Truer now, in the era of social media, than ever.
I forget who I was snarking about at the time. Probably the interests of one of my siblings.
She (gently) reminded me of how people sneered at me for being interested in SciFi and history etc. Asked how that made me feel, and if I'd want others to feel the same. Smart woman.
Her point was you don't have to like a thing, but should always try to learn a bit and see WHY others do. Because people being interested in things is always fun.
If I can give one piece of life advice:
Whenever someone geeks about something in front of you, or admits an 'embarrassing' interest, just say:
"That sounds AMAZING. I don't know anything about that. Tell me about it."
Then just listen.
Not once in my life have I regretted it.
@MHowell @garius I am not a fan of the kind of reality show that's formed around creating/capitalizing on personal interdrama ...
But I totally agree with you on the creative types! Glow Up has been my last jam, and I am very sad that Swedish Netflix has removed the series of "best body painter" and "best tattooer" (I don't remember the name of either show)
John Bull
Martha Howell
Antonius Marie ⚧
Jonathan Downie